VO2 Max - trail running for Garmin Fenix 6x

New Garmin Enduro: The first is an updated VO2 Max score that takes trail running into account. On standard Garmin devices, VO2 Max is estimated in part using pace. So runners that switch to the trail can find the slower pace hammers their VO2 Max. The Garmin Enduro will adjust for that.

Is there a possibility to get a software update with this feature info Garmin Fenix 6X?

Top Replies

C.sco over 3 years ago +1

We already have it. It was added with version 15.20, which is the current software version for Fenix.

It should be turned on by default, but you can check if it's turned on by going to Trail Run settings…
silentvoyager over 3 years ago in reply to mcbadger +1

mcbadger said:
It's a bit more complicated than that, apparently - the VO2max calculation has been extended to include accelerometer data to detect terrain differences & allow for them (presumably, using…
Au Thon over 3 years ago in reply to bens +1

Trail run is not necessarily an ultrarun (there is now a setting for ultra run on the new update) . I use trail run setting for technical trails with some elevation gain.

All Replies

0 Au Thon over 3 years ago

I thought this upgrade came with the v15.20 but your comment made me think I misunderstood what I read about the update. I hope they extend it to the 6 series too.

0 C.sco over 3 years ago

We already have it. It was added with version 15.20, which is the current software version for Fenix.

It should be turned on by default, but you can check if it's turned on by going to Trail Run settings > VO2 Max > toggle it on or off.

0 Ɛpsilon over 3 years ago in reply to Au Thon

There is an option now in Trail Run to record VO2 Max

0 Au Thon over 3 years ago in reply to Ɛpsilon

I have it on but saw no difference in the data.

0 Ɛpsilon over 3 years ago in reply to Au Thon

Define no difference: Do you mean it agrees with road running VO2, or is it out by a consistent amount than before.

With Runalyze I've noticed that Garmin was calculating VO2 for trail running before, just not reporting it

0 Au Thon over 3 years ago in reply to Ɛpsilon

Trail running is all I do and I had an estimated VO2 max. I updated the watch and I was expecting an adjustment in VO2 max o a training status (It always said "no status"). As I understand it VO2 Max was under calculated in trail running.

0 C.sco over 3 years ago in reply to Au Thon

Probably requires doing more than 1 run. Maybe it doesn't use data for the previous trail runs you did before the watch had that feature.

Garmin usually says they need a week or two worth of run VO2 max data before it can give you an estimate.

0 Ɛpsilon over 3 years ago in reply to C.sco

Yeah with normal road running it says it needs two runs with hr and GPS I think? Perhaps see if your next run updates the status!

0 weuek over 3 years ago in reply to Ɛpsilon

It needs several GPS runs to update the status, but not the VO2max. A 10-minute run is enough for it.

0 silentvoyager over 3 years ago

Trail running VO2max is already on Garmin Fenix 6X. I noticed it was reported on my last two trail runs.

The first one was on open terrain - more of a dirt road than trail - and my VO2max remained the same.

The second one was a trail run on proper technical hiking trails, and my VO2max tanked by one. The watch displayed a notification about 8 minutes into the run that my performance condition went down by massive 6 points. What is interesting is that the performance condition had recovered later in the run and ended up +2 by the end of the run, but VO2max still went down.