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Garmin’s Removal of Step (Interval/ Segment) Notifications is a Major Step Backwards

6591133
10 months ago

Hey everyone,

I’ve been a dedicated Garmin user for years, primarily using the Fenix and Epix lines for my running and training needs. One feature that I heavily relied on was the step notification alert (similar to interval distance alerts), which notified me at the end of each running step interval (e.g., 9x600m intervals). This was crucial for tracking performance and making real-time adjustments within the session.

However, with the most recent firmware updates, Garmin has removed this feature, which feels like a significant regression. It’s disappointing to see a company known for its innovation and athlete support take away such a useful tool.

I’ve tried a few workarounds like creating custom workouts with lap alerts and using third-party apps from the Connect IQ store, but nothing matches the convenience and functionality of the original step notifications. Often for track sessions it is just not possible to get alerts at all depending on what intervals/step distance I do!

For example I often do an interval sessions to a target pace like: 1x800 @ 3:20km/min, Recover, 1x900 @ 3:20km/min, Recover, 1x1000 @ 3:20km/min, Recover, 1x1100 @ 3:20km/min, Recover, 1x1200 @ 3:20km/min, Recover.

For a track session like above there is no way to know if I meet my target time and pace because Garmin took away the end of step/interval/ segment time alert/ notification.

Why Garmin, why!?

For all sessions types, especially the above Lap alerts are not suitable, Audio alerts are not suitable because (their audio) and they will only be announced at a set distance. Why not just keep what was working? I have seen people running with their phones, and when I ask them why it's because Garmin has taken away all notification and feedback within a track session. We have no way of knowing till we upload to Garmin Connect how we did in the session, and at that point it is too late.

Has anyone else found a reliable solution or workaround for this issue? Also, if you’re as frustrated as I am, let’s make our voices heard. Maybe we can get Garmin to reconsider this massive step backward.

Thanks!

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  • 0 10 months ago

    I did a pre-programmed workout the other day: warm-up, then 8*45s sprint with recovery in between, then cool down.

    At the end of each 45s step the watch would tell me the distance I ran through my headphones. At the end of each recover until lap button press, it would tell me the recovery time. I don’t remember whether it has shown the info on the display as well.

    Is that the kind of alert you are looking for? Because that’s working on my end (epix pro with latest firmware).

    maybe behaviour differs between distance vs timed intervals. I can check later whether there are alerts when I do workout steps based on distance.

  • 0 9 months ago in reply to Hendrik

    Hey Hendrik, It's the on watch, visual display that Garmin have removed. I do get distracted by the verbal alerts and they impact negatively on my track performance so I tend not to use them. Unsure why they remove the watch display notification of what we have just completed. I now totally lost, not knowing if I have met my targets till I complete the session and sync the completed to my phone. It was working well before and I see no reason to give people less information when they really need it. Massive backwards step by Team Garmin.