Training Load Focus
In order to maximize performance and fitness gains, training should be distributed across three categories: low
aerobic, high aerobic, and anaerobic. Training load focus shows you how much of your training is currently in
each category and provides training targets. Training load focus requires at least 7 days of training to
determine if your training load is low, optimal, or high. After 4 weeks of training history, your training load
estimate will have more detailed target information to help you balance your training activities.
Below targets: Your training load is lower than optimal in all intensity categories. Try increasing the duration or
frequency of your workouts.
Low aerobic shortage: Try adding more low aerobic activities to provide recovery and balance for your higher
intensity activities.
High aerobic shortage: Try adding more high aerobic activities to help improve your lactate threshold and VO2
max. over time.
Anaerobic shortage: Try adding a few more intense, anaerobic activities to improve your speed and anaerobic
capacity over time.
Balanced: Your training load is balanced and provides all-around fitness benefits as you continue training.
Low aerobic focus: Your training load is mostly low aerobic activity. This provides a solid foundation and
prepares you for adding more intense workouts.
High aerobic focus: Your training load is mostly high aerobic activity. These activities help to improve lactate
threshold, VO2 max., and endurance.
Anaerobic focus: Your training load is mostly intense activity. This leads to rapid fitness gains, but should be
balanced with low aerobic activities.
Above targets: Your training load is higher than optimal, and you should consider scaling back the duration and
frequency of your workouts.
Recovery Time
You can use your Garmin device with wrist-based heart rate or a compatible chest heart rate monitor to display
how much time remains before you are fully recovered and ready for the next hard workout.
NOTE: The recovery time recommendation uses your VO2 max. estimate and may seem inaccurate at first. The
device requires you to complete a few activities to learn about your performance.
The recovery time appears immediately following an activity. The time counts down until it is optimal for you to
attempt another hard workout. The device updates your recovery time throughout the day based on changes in
sleep, stress, relaxation, and physical activity.
Viewing Your Recovery Time
For the most accurate estimate, complete the user profile setup (
Setting Up Your User Profile, page 24
), and set
your maximum heart rate (
Setting Your Heart Rate Zones, page 25
).
1 Go for a run.
2 After your run, select Save.
The recovery time appears. The maximum time is 4 days.
NOTE: From the watch face, you can select UP or DOWN to view the training status widget, and select
START to scroll through the metrics to view your recovery time.
Recovery Heart Rate
If you are training with wrist-based heart rate or a compatible chest heart rate monitor, you can check your
recovery heart rate value after each activity. Recovery heart rate is the difference between your exercising heart
rate and your heart rate two minutes after the exercise has stopped. For example, after a typical training run,
you stop the timer. Your heart rate is 140 bpm. After two minutes of no activity or cool down, your heart rate is
90 bpm. Your recovery heart rate is 50 bpm (140 minus 90). Some studies have linked recovery heart rate to
cardiac health. Higher numbers generally indicate healthier hearts.
TIP: For best results, you should stop moving for two minutes while the device calculates your recovery heart
rate value.
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Heart Rate Features
