Based on how I understand the Garmin Structure (Epix 2 pro is my first Garmin device) I think this is an issue with the watch rather than the Garmin Connect software. Which is why I am posting it here for discussion. Maybe it even works fine with other watches or there is a setting that I have been unable to find.
When I am doing a planned HIIT training (i.e. nearly every day), I am facing the choice between:
A: Not caring about the repetition counter in Garmin Connect.
B: Turning on the rep counter on the watch and correcting 30% to 50% of all logged repetition counts afterwards in Garmin Connect. Because the rep counter is understandably far from accurate for complex movements.
C: Turning off the rep counter on the watch an correcting 100% of the repetition counts per set afterwards in Garmin connect. Because somehow the watch prefers to assume that I have been sitting idle while my heart rate exploded than assume that I have done the work as prescribed by the workout.
The behaviour "C" is odd and also inconsistent with weight logging. I.e., the watch does assume that I am using the weight as prescribed by the workout and if I were to use less (or more) weight in a given set, I would have to edit it in the aftermath in Garmin Connect.
It would make much more sense if the watch assumed, that i have done exactly the prescribed amount of repetitions per set if the rep counter is turned off!
Example:
I am doing a 20 minute AMRAP Workout with three different exercises. First exercise 20 reps, second exercise 10 reps, third exercise 5 reps. The workout is planned in Garmin Connect and sent to my watch.
The watch knows the prescribed reps. It does display them at the beginning of each set.
For each finished set, it should record these afforementiones rep counts as completed (if rep counter is turned off). Otherwise, after having completed 15 rounds of that workout within the 20 minute time cap, I end up editing rep counts for 15*3 = 45 sets in Garmin Connect. No way!