Training status, only for running?

I am still trying to understand how all this is working with my watch.  Unfortunately, I am left feeling like Garmin has a very "half baked" eco system at best.

As I understand it, the "training status" only seems to update based on runs, with the run program going.  Is that correct?

So, nothing I do in another program, or other exercises, or any of my cycling that I do with the EDGE 530 (which is a lot) is effecting the score? 

Every time I do anything, the score worsens.. the VO2 goes down..  and its kinda a depressing thing to look at all the time.  "Unproductive".  Which, I promise you all.. lol, in reality this is not the case. 

Do other people feel this way, or is it just me?

  • Yep, i do lot of hiking, but my training status is simetimes non existing and sometimes as bad as i would be sitting all day...

  • Yeah, lol exactly.  This is really silly.  The programmers at Garmin need to make a working cohesive eco system.  They need to remember that most people do more than one thing!  I run, I cycle, I play tennis, etc..  and what about my HITT training that I do in my living room?  All of that is not reflected in the eco system at all! 

    This is a real reason to NOT buy.  But, the alternatives are horrible too.. and I like most of what Garmin does.  Its a shame they cant seem to tie it altogether.

    Garmin.. having a "half baked" eco system or product will always have peoples eye's wondering on whats coming out from other people.  Sooner or later this will lead to people jumping ship.

    You (and some people) may not think anything is wrong.. I see it differently.   I see it as a feature that only "works" for thous who basically just... run.   

    As of now I only see the benefit of seeing calories, and HR data graphed for the other activities.   In terms of VO2.. that useless unless I am running. 

  • I swim, bike and run and get training status just fine. If I get power from my wind trainer (Tacx Vortex Smart) my cycling VO2max gets adjusted. Physio TrueUp works between my watches.

    For training status to change, training needs to be variable.

    You also need to be providing good heart rate data. Unfortunately the well-documented limitations of WHR do mean that you need a strap.

  • Yes, I use both the Garmin chest strap for my bike rides..  and I use the Polar OH1 arm band with my watch for runs.  I neve ruse the OHR for the real source.

    Yes, IF I wore the watch on the bike it would work I am sure.  However, thats not practical.  I shave my entire body to be as aero as possible.  The last thing a cyclist wants is a watch on the arm.  This is what the Edge computers are great at..  but, then they dont bring over some metrics to Garmin Connect as they are not "supported".   This is annoying, and a good example of how the Eco System needs to be updated.  Vo2 max will never be accurate as I dont have a power meter on the bike.  So, I guess its only good for runs.

    By the very nature of what I do (Different activities) there should be enough variable to see some impact.  I just dont understand.  Maybe my heat acclimation is the issue (I am in Miami).

    Still..  Training Status really should cover more than just runs, as well as the Vo2 score.   

  • I never ran with this thing and have a training status, mostly I'm recording Strength Training.

  • Hello good afternoon !!! I do not understand how I have been unproductive for so many days and the garmin ftp has not been updated since March 23. I use garmin chest strap, powermeter assioma ..... thanks !!

  • Agreed! I do a lot of hiking and walking and no chest strap… so my V02max is in the pooper and I’m always retraining. Even though I span 3 HR zones with my activities and the duration is 40min + :/ I keep forgetting to put a chest strap on as my priority is usually a coffee and getting out the door ASAP before I wake up and realize what the heck I’m doing! 

  • You don't need a chest strap to get VO2Max or a Training Status.

  • Have you tried it? It’s grossly innacurate without it on my fenix 6s

  • walking activity doesn’t count as training for training status. So I’m screwed either way! I get no training status until I use a running activity within the past two weeks.