Cycling Training status/VO2Max/FTP widget

I also have a lot of running and biking training in the past with a power meter (no longer have meter from gym spin bike)... but it would always take my most recent change in vo2max as the training direction even when it had been a day or more since I had done that activity.  So if I run (run/trail/treadmill) everyday almost... but no update to vo2max (treadmill for instance) then it would say Fitness Increasing due to my cycling trend over the recent weeks.  I am guessing that is messing things up on your end possibly.  You are mainly having the issue on the watch widget though?  I guess I never really noticed that when I was training in that way, currently when I go to the Training Widget it says Unproductive due to downard vo2max for running... shows running vo2max and training load balance screen, BUT - Shows NOTHING regarding my cycling vo2max or FTP.  Which I guess for me is fine as those values are 2 months old now and easily accessible from website.  If I go on the website and view my cycling report for Training ( https://connect.garmin.com/modern/report/-1/cycling/last_four_weeks ) it shows as expected, says trend based on running vo2max but does show my training load trend and per activity training effect (all activities).

In your situation where the data points are fairly or very current... a bit more confusing that they would be left off of the widget.  But I believe it is likely due to the same issue, where the one activity is taking preference due to the more updated vo2max and/or the current trend assesment is based on that activity.  ???  

Hi there, I'd like to know more about the rides in question. There certainly is an order of priority in what the app will show. 

1. Running Activity with GPS: This activity type yields the most accurate overall VO2 max estimate.

   • Example: You record a Run Activity with GPS (#1 in the list) which generates a VO2 Max Estimate on May 1^st. That reading will display in Garmin Connect and will only show updated readings with additional Run Activities with GPS for the next 30 days. Other activity types below in this list will only update the overall VO2 Max Estimate if the May 1^st  running activity with GPS is older than 30 days. 

2. Cycling Activity with a power meter When a measurement is achieved, this will always yield a Cycling VO2 max measurement, even if there is also an overall VO2 max measurement from #1 above.

3. Walking Activity with GPS

   • Example: You record a Walking Activity with GPS (#3 in the list) which generates a VO2 Max Estimate on May 1st. The next day, you record a Run Activity with GPS (#1 in the list) which generates a VO2 Max Estimate. The overall VO2 Max Estimate in Garmin Connect will be updated regardless of the age of the Walking activity because Running with GPS is #1 in this list.

4. Walking during daily routine without recording an Activity

5. Running Activity without GPS (using foot cadence as a speed estimate)

Our philosophy is to display the most accurately measured value in Garmin Connect which is running outdoors with GPS. Essentially you could run one day and then proceed to do an activity of other types for the next 29 days but still show just that one originally recorded run with GPS activity since it is considered to be the most accurate.

In the same article it notes an exception for cycling activities with power. This is why I would like to know more about the cycling activities themselves. 

• Cycling activity must be 20 minutes in length or longer without stopping
• Heart rate data from either a built-in optical heart rate sensor or from a chest strap
• Heart rate must be elevated to at least 70% of your maximum heart rate for at least 20 minutes continuously
• Power Meter is required

Cycling VO2 Max Tip: If you are having difficulty obtaining a cycling VO2 Max Estimate, try riding a course where you can maintain a steady effort. You can also try using an indoor trainer.

All of this is sited in this article for those who want to read the rest of it. What is the VO2 Max. Estimate Feature on My Garmin Device?

Thanks for this Garmin-Brooks. I was not aware of that article. Answers a lot of questions that are repeatedly asked across the forums.

It seems that my report is not clear enough. I will try to explain the situation with the widgets using data from this week:

This week (without Sunday) I run 2 times and ride 3 times:

• Feb 09, ride threshold, VO2Max one point up (I saw it with the mobile app), no training status for cycling, no VO2Max for cycling
• Feb 10, run threshold, VO2Max one point down (unusual day, high humidity, hot), run training status productive (due to high aerobic training)
• Feb 11, ride recovery.
• Feb 12, run base, VO2Max one point up, productive, no training status and VO2Max for cycling.
• Feb 13, ride threshold, VO2Max one point up again, no training status and VO2Max for cycling, but the running training status changed to "maintaining", why? Is just was one day without running.

If I reboot the watch, or from time to time I can see the VO2Max for cycling along with the one for running. The training status is always for running unless I stop doing it in the week.

To sum up:

• The VO2Max widget is a hit and miss for cycling.
• The training status is driven by running even if I ride a lot. Actually due an injury recovery process my VO2Max for running is way behind cycling (50 vs 55). The problem here is that my main activity now is cycling, but I can't have a training status report after a ride.
• The running status changes very quickly (IIRC I didn't have that behavior in the past). Just one day without running is enough to move from productive to maintaining even if in that day the VO2Max for cycling was up (what I was trying to say here is that my training status is not diminishing)

My equipment:

• FR945
• Smart trainer controlled by FR945.
• Run pod, I always run outside with GPS, but the POD is configured for pace.
• HRM band (with running dynamics, the red one)

Take a look at the Performance widget - this allows you to see both your Running and Cycling VO2Max datapoints at any given time. Also shows LT and Race Predictor.

That's the widget that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't for cycling. When I said "VO2Max" widget should be read as "Performance" widget. Thanks for the clarification. 

you need a power meter with your cycling to get a cycling VO2 max