How to set HR zones based on LTHR Lab test?

Hi everyone,

Today I went to the lab to measure my LTHR which is at 165bpm.

They also calculated my heart rate zones but they gave me 6 zones and on my Garmin Fenix 7 there are only 5 zones so I’m not sure how I would best enter the data I received.

Here are the zones they gave me compared to the zones Garmin gives me based on LTHR:

Lab Garmin
recovery 50-65% /
extensive duration 65-80% Warm up (Z1) 65-79%
intensive duration 80-95%
Easy (Z2) 80-88%
Aerobic (Z3) 89-94%
extensive interval 95-100% Treshold (Z4) 95-99%
intensive interval 100-105%
Maximum (Z5) 100-115%
maximum zone 105% <

Would you guys keep Garmin’s automatic values or change them based on the data I received from the lab?

Thanks!

  • Training zones are only useful to categorize workout efforts. From an aerobic fitness perspective, only the 2 ventilation thresholds matter really, so a three zone system would suffice (close to but below VT1, between VT1 and VT2 and above VT2). See publication from Stephen Seiler's polarized training about this topic.

    VT1 can be estimated through HRV DFA alpha1 ramp test reliably. Typically, it is at 60-65% of VO2 Max, or 75-80% of HR Max.

    VT2 can be estimated through the watch HR, HRV, output dynamics ramp test model pretty reliably and is often proxied by/confused with the lactate threshold. VT2 is typically at 80-85% of VO2 max, or 90-92% of HR Max.

    https://www.ncsf.org/pdf/ceu/relationship_between_percent_hr_max_and_percent_vo2_max.pdf

    So the key here is the training plan you use and how it defines the training zones. If you use a Joe Friel training plan, for example, use his zones, etc. If you use a Garmin Plan, keep the standard zones on the watch.

    The watch doesn't care at all about the training zones for any of its metrics: everything is assessed as a % of VO2 Max. So the 2 numbers that really matter here on the watch are your resting HR and your VO2 Max estimate (which mostly depends on your HR Max setting and your training patterns).

    I would use power or pace (for flat road terrain) to set up zones for workout targets and use % of HR Max for HR zones. If power or pace zones don't work for you, using LTHR zones is just fine but harder to execute for >LTHR training targets: you typically use shorter intervals there, and the HR lags.