Garmin Training Effect - Training

Keyboard_Worrier

04/02/2013 at 22:22

There is a new peice of data showing on my Garmin 610 when I upload the run. It's called training effect and is rated on a scale of 1-5. With 5 being over reaching, 4 being highly improving, 3 improving, 2 maintaining and 1 negligible.

How is this worked out? Is it any use. Am I really improving as it tells me I am or is it just leading me on?

Any one had any exxperience of this?

Keyboard_Worrier

05/02/2013 at 07:29

Anyone?

stutyr

05/02/2013 at 11:00

No experience of this (I'm using an old 405, so unavailable to me). The following link explains how it calculates it:

http://www.firstbeat.fi/news/news/garmin-forerunner-610-heart-rate-with-training-effect-released

The Suunto range have offered something similar for a while (probably why Garmin have introduced it).

It'll be based on your heart rate, where over-exertion causes your body to have to repair rather than build (i.e. zone 5) and lactate threshold training where you are pushing your "safe" limits (i.e. zone 4) and then you have your aerobic conditioning (aka base training) in Zone 3. Zone 2 would be gentle running which means your heart is working a bit more than normal, whereas Zone 1 is equivalent to Gym Buddies walking on the treadmill whilst drinking Starbucks etc.

If you read any training books (e.g. Advanced Marathoning by Pfitzinger & Douglas) they'll have similar concepts - in P&D Zone 4 would be "Lactate Threshold" at77 to 88% of HRR, Zone 3 would be "Aerobic" at 62 to 75% of HRR, and Zone 2 would be "recovery" at under 70% [and starting at 55%?].

The training effect just does the calculations automatically for you based on recorded information, and saves you having to have spreadsheets etc to convert the training zones from a book into your specific target figures.

PhilPub

05/02/2013 at 11:20

I might be in a position to answer this but I'll need to have a good stat-check and get back to you. I've been using the 610 solidly for the past 7 months but not paid any attention to this at all. I've glanced at it every now and then, and more often than not seen a reading of "1.0" but I suppose that would make sense if it was just a short, easy run. But I've got a whole set of long runs, intervals, tempo runs, hill sessions and races, nearly all with HR figures, so I'll see if I can make sense of it all and report back.

Joolska

05/02/2013 at 12:01

I'm quite disappointed. When I saw the title I was hoping there was a training effect from simply owning a Garmin, or perhaps being near one. I'll move my Garmin off my desk, onto my wrist and go for a training run if that's not the case

PS: it's only a 405, so can't answer OP's question. Sorry!

RicF

05/02/2013 at 12:14

Same as you J.

Getting a Garmin has transformed my running after more than two decades of running.

The driver must be increased curiosity. How far, how fast, how high?

Also-ran

05/02/2013 at 15:27

I think it was developed by FirstBeat. Had a quick look and there is some info here

http://www.firstbeat.fi/en/training-effect

I haven't paid much attention to it yet other than the TE is higher, the harder I run. Maybe its been telling me to train smarter and stop being a dumb ass. Most people do.

Also-ran

05/02/2013 at 15:33

Explanation here

http://www.firstbeat.fi/consumers/heart-rate-monitors/firstbeat-intelligence-in-heart-rate-monitors

Please can someone summarise into one short sentence.

Unfortunately, relying on heart rate data, my 610 heart rate strap is pretty useless at present, heart rate graphs look like some wierd porcupine with all its spikes.

PhilPub

05/02/2013 at 22:07

Actually, scrap that. I'll save myself the effort of a seven month analysis.

I've just run 14 miles including 8 x 1 mile (30 seconds recovery) averaging 5:28, max HR 184bpm, and the Garmin TE score was 1.0. (Definition: easy recovery)

My humble assessment is that this function is total bollocks and about as useful as a chocolate fireguard.

Also-ran

05/02/2013 at 23:06

Uum - not trying hard enough then PP

I strolled through my workout today and scored a TE of 4.2 with a maxHR of 211, 13m steady. Not bad considering my max is about 178. Really is time to replace the HR strap.

Fit-Running-Cat

06/02/2013 at 00:29

PhilPub, likely the hr strap wasn't working properly.. Hasn't even registered if showing 1.0. Same on all you have recorded?

I had a Suunto watch, 3-4 years ago, the feature works really well there since it gives you a diary/ program of what it recommends based on the sessions you've done, a mix of 1-5 sessions over the week.

The garmin TE on 610/910 doesn't do this. It just gives you a number, can be shown on the screen changing as you exercise or just shown later in the stats. No advice offered.

I've done races with my Garmin, they're usually a 5 if a race effort regardless of length.. Tempo run came out a low 4. shorter speed session a 3.8, 2 different gym circuits, one with longer cardio periods less recovery 4.1, the other 3.2.

The feature does work. Just depends how you use it, or take its advice.

Keyboard_Worrier

06/02/2013 at 07:58

So I will catch Mo!

PhilPub

06/02/2013 at 10:22

Ah, just thought of a minor technicality. Does the TE value only register once you've reset the session? The figures I looked up last night were for a "session in progress".

Fit-Running-Cat

06/02/2013 at 11:13

No,TE should work in progress, have something after 15-20 minutes, garmin even suggest setting it on one of the screens.

TE is a mix of session toughness and length.. so a flat out 10k equal to ~5, a marathon even with HR sub 145bpm was still classed as a 5. Interval sessions, tempo runs not at your max vary 3-high 4s.

After a hard 4 or 5, drop down to 1-3 range to recover, prevent over training. Its roughly equivalent to heart rate training.

Blog here has more info relating to usage http://itsallaboutthevertical.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/training-effect-a-useful-tool/

We'd love you to add a comment! Please login or take half a minute to register as a free member