Garmin and TrainingPeaks

Connect your Garmin Device(s)

Making a one-time connection between your Garmin device(s) and TrainingPeaks enables automatic syncing of completed activities. You will need to authorise TrainingPeaks to access your Garmin Connect account:

• Log into your TrainingPeaks account and navigate to Garmin Connect AutoSync.
• If you are setting up AutoSync for the first time, choose to either sync past activities or only new completed workouts moving forward.
• If you have previous activities in Garmin Connect and a new TrainingPeaks account, select "Connect and Sync" under "I have past activities in Garmin Connect".
• If you do not have previous activities in Connect or you have already imported them manually, select "Connect my Accounts" under "I'm Starting Fresh".

Your future completed workouts will now automatically sync to your TrainingPeaks account, and the planned workouts for the next five days will appear in your Garmin Connect calendar. The Garmin Connect icon (see screenshot below) indicates the workout is in your Connect calendar.

Please note that if you choose to sync historical workouts, they will not sync to TrainingPeaks until you upload a new activity. Historical workouts can take up to seven days to sync. Do not disconnect your accounts during this time, as you cannot attempt the history sync again.

For further information, please check this article from TrainingPeaks.

Exporting Structured Workouts

Your plan's swim, bike, and run workouts are created using the Workout Builder function in TrainingPeaks. This allows you to export these workouts to your Garmin device.

Exportable workouts are based on a percentage of your Critical Swim Speed, Threshold Run Pace, or bike Functional Threshold Power (FTP). These workouts can only be exported as speed (swim), pace (run), or power (bike).

1. Export for Compatible Devices

The easiest way to load your structured workouts onto your Garmin device(s) is by using the Garmin Connect Calendar Integration. TrainingPeaks has published a list of compatible devices here; however, it's only a partial list. If you are considering a new device, check the specifications carefully. 

2. Manual Export for Non-Compatible Devices

For older Garmin devices, you can still add the workout files directly to your device (but not via Garmin Connect). To do this:

• Log into TrainingPeaks and select the bike or run workout you wish to export.
• Click on the "Export" icon at the top right of the workout details. 

• This will take you to the following screen, where you select the FIT file.

• Save the file on your PC and connect your Garmin device to your PC using a USB data cable.
• Open the Garmin device folder, then access the "New Files" section.
• Copy your TrainingPeaks .FIT workout file into the "New Files" folder (some devices may require you to place the file directly in the "Workouts" folder).
• You should now see your workout under Training > Workouts > Workout Title. You may need to restart your device if it doesn't appear immediately.

You can add multiple workouts depending on your device's memory. Delete old workouts to free up memory space.

Training Zone Settings in Garmin Connect

You will need to add your training zones to your account settings in Connect. These should match those in your TrainingPeaks account. To check your Training Zone Settings in Garmin Connect and make changes:

• Log into your Garmin Connect account.
• Go to the top right-hand corner and click the "Device" icon > "Devices and Sync Status."
• Select your device and then "User Settings".
• Scroll down to Heart Rate Zones and select "% of LT" (for running and cycling).
• Enter your Threshold Heart Rate (as recorded in your TrainingPeaks account) and then input your lower Zone 1 heart rate value in the first box, followed by your upper heart rate values for each Training Zone in the remaining five boxes.
• This will ensure that the Garmin Training Zones correspond to your five TrainingPeaks Training Zones.

• You will need to follow the above steps for each Garmin device you use.
• To modify your Power-based training zones on a bike-specific device, follow the steps above but scroll past the Heart Rate settings to "Power Zones."
• Your FTP should correspond to the value recorded in TrainingPeaks.

Each time you complete a Fitness Test in your plan, be sure to check and update your device's Heart Rate and Power settings to avoid conflicting and confusing post-workout metrics! Remember to sync your device to Garmin Connect whenever you update your Training Zones.

For further information and assistance regarding syncing your Garmin and TrainingPeaks accounts, please refer to this TrainingPeaks web page. 

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