Since the release of the new
Garmin Forerunner 955
e
Garmin Forerunner 255
we have realized that, among all the features available, one can run the risk of being a bit disoriented and perhaps missing out on benefits that could come from using these new devices. Especially by virtue of the fact that harnessing its potential can lead to a better analysis of our training, performance and competitions; a greater awareness of how our bodies work and how we train; and an improvement in our performance in relation to our potential as well.
In short, if you know what the features are, you can use them to your advantage. Because awareness means greater efficiency and greater efficiency means less fatigue.
So I would like to put the focus on some features that I think are very important and, as always, try to explain them to you in simple words, avoiding technicalities that might distract you. In particular, we will look together at Acute Load, Focus Training Load, Running Power and Race Widget.
Acute Load
This is a feature that we have already seen appear in some models in past years and represented the training load over the past 7 days. The logic has not changed but has, however, been greatly evolved to more accurately represent what the actual load of our workouts is.
Based on our fitness level, the device will then tell us whether we are charging in the correct way to reach 100% of our potential. And it does so intelligently because, in the representation of the weekly load, it will give more weight to the days just past than to those further away.
In fact, as you well know, a particularly heavy workout is felt in the days immediately following, and then you dispose of the load.
The graphical representation of Acute Load is also interesting: a graph with a green area will tell us if we are in the correct range or if we are overdoing it (taking risks) or if we are below our capacity.
Clearly, this information comes not only from individual workout analysis but also from our overall fitness level, measured 24 hours a day, including during sleep.
Focus Training Load
Here we go into a little more detail about the training we did and analyze its components. In fact, training should be made up of three main components:
- Low aerobic level,
- high aerobic level,
- Anaerobic level.
Clearly it is not necessary for every training session to see these three components active, quite the contrary. A proper training program should include general sessions and others specific to each component. Garmin Forerunner 955 and Garmin Forerunner 255 tell us how we are distributing our workouts and thus which aspects to focus on most.
Obviously, however, the load and balance of low aerobic, high aerobic, and anaerobic levels also depend on what goals our training program has. For example, if we want to improve our VO2max and endurance, we will have to load the aerobic level high.
And therein lies the “focus.” In fact, the sportwatch will tell us what component we are focusing on and what benefits we are getting from it.
Running Power
If you are a cyclist, you already know the positive aspect of training using power instead of heart rate. With the new Garmin Forerunner 955 and Garmin Forerunner 255, the data is also available natively for running. In fact, if heart rate is the “representation of fatigue” (since it can vary based on many factors), power is the amount of energy you put into each step, and is a much more representative and useful value. Mainly because it is not affected by anything other than the amount of energy your legs produce.
Whether you are going uphill, downhill, with the wind against you, on the road or off-road, the power gives you an instantaneous representation of the effort you are putting in. As a result, you know at all times how much you are “giving” without relying on other data such as pace or heart rate that may vary with environmental or trail conditions.
Since this is an advanced running dynamic, a Garmin heart rate monitor or the Running Dynamic Pod (the sensor you attach to your shorts) must be used to get the running power data. In fact, having a motion sensor at torso height provides much more accurate data than the wrist (which swings and moves).
Race Widget
Seen externally it might look like an “evolved countdown” to race day but it is not. In fact, in addition to providing you with continuous race day and course monitoring, it allows the sportwatch to know what your goal is and, as a result, it can suggest activities and workouts for you to do so that you arrive at raceday in the best condition.
Another interesting aspect is the prediction of race weather, in its optimal expression, of course. In fact, the widget updates in real time as your workouts progress, showing you whether your preparation is going in the right direction and what benefits you will derive in terms of performance.
In the video below, you can understand how to set up the Race Widget to also take advantage of this feature of Garmin Forerunner 955 and Garmin Forerunner 255.