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Feature request: Training Effect

4447045
over 4 years ago

I heard a lot of nice things about Garmin watches and how they help you get insights into your training. I got one as a gift and it's been a month since I've started exercising with it. Now I realized that one of the cool features, Training Effect, is not included. I don't buy the "it's a lifestyle, not a training watch" excuse. Improving your fitness is a lifestyle and they are all sports watches. I am a former pro-athlete so I know how to train and that I am getting better, but I was looking forward to finally having the impact quantified. I wanted to see which workout had a better effect, try different sports and compare them, etc. Instead, here I am, having all this data from every training without being able to extract the information that I want. I read many reviews of Garmin before leaving the decision to pick the model to my family. I like my vivoactive 4s look, but I am frustrated and disappointed.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Maybe there is an app for the watch in the IQ store that does something similar for you? I think I have seen one that calculates Strava relative effort.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    The thing is, why should I? If you look at a Garmin product page, it tells you all about the specs but nothing about the Garmin Connect's training features. How are we supposed to know they are limited until we buy one and realize they are not supported? Vivoactive 4 is not the cheapest option, so why would I pay Strava subscription or look for third-party apps just because Garmin forgot to say "oh, btw, you bought an active lifestyle watch so we decided you don't want to know your lactate threshold or training impact. And yeah, we don't bother to mention this on our awesome website, where we list all the specs, including the number of holes in the elastic band that comes with the watch."

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 4447045

    So what is most important for you? Complaining about the product, or finding a solution?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to ovekvam

    The only solution we have for this kind of claims is what we do here: ask Garmin to improve their products. And if they don't , in my case, I do not recommend my friends purchasing Garmin devices.

  • 0 over 4 years ago
    4447045 said:
    I heard a lot of nice things about Garmin watches and how they help you get insights into your training. I got one as a gift and it's been a month since I've started exercising with it. Now I realized that one of the cool features, Training Effect, is not included. I don't buy the "it's a lifestyle, not a training watch" excuse. Improving your fitness is a lifestyle and they are all sports watches. I am a former pro-athlete so I know how to train and that I am getting better, but I was looking forward to finally having the impact quantified. I wanted to see which workout had a better effect, try different sports and compare them, etc. Instead, here I am, having all this data from every training without being able to extract the information that I want. I read many reviews of Garmin before leaving the decision to pick the model to my family. I like my vivoactive 4s look, but I am frustrated and disappointed.

    Hi there! I am so sorry to see the device you purchased did not have the training effect feature. Our vivo line does not have this option like the forerunners and fenix line. I did however submit this feedback to see if we can add any information to our spec page. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    This is just a matter of business. They want you to pay for Fenix or Forerunner model, if you want these features.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Alda_VivoSmartHR

    Too bad you find out about these nuances after you buy the wrong watch... I understand this is a business model but unlike, for example, Netflix, where you have all 3 subscription options listed side by side, Garmin lists 100 specs for each watch, and there is no easy way to figure out beforehand what useful stuff it can do. It would be cool if there was something like a user profile, that would help you select the right watch. I knew exactly how I wanted to use the watch - for hiking, rowing, playing tennis, running, and doing fitness workouts with the goal of improving my anaerobic endurance and power. But how would you know which watch can help you track your improvements the best? I also want to buy a watch for my wife for tracking long hikes, indoor cycling, and swimming with the goal of staying fit. All I know is that I want it to have a GPS. Given the experience with vivoactive4, I know what to look for but there just are not any user profiles to help you decide if you have no prior experience with wearing a smartwatch.
    Long story short, if you don't know what Training Effect is, how are you supposed to look for the watch that supports it :)?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 4447045

    But training analysis is not something that needs to be on the watch. It can be done by software on a mobile phone, a PC or in a cloud. The important thing is that you get a watch that has the sensor and logging ability to collect the necessary data. The analysis can also be done by a person, which could be yourself or a trainer. Remember that what a computer tells you, is not always correct or accurate, even if it has 6 significant digits in the given answer.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I understand your pain...
    Considering that none of the "top of the line" models feature touch screens, it would be only logical to place VA4/Venu on that sweetspot between a "lifestyle" and a "training" smartwatch.
    I had a similar disappointment when realizing this model won't support bike powermeters. It supports ANT+, speed and cadence sensors but no powermeter profile...the alternative is to go for a dedicated bike computer (not an option) or one of the "training" targeted no-touchscreen models...go figure!