Garmin has announced updates to Garmin Coach – its free training plan offering for runners and cyclists. Garmin has also confirmed new feature updates for select smartwatches and cycling computers, including epix (Gen 2), fēnix 7, Forerunner, vívoactive 5 and Venu 3 Series smartwatches, plus Edge 540, Edge 840 and Edge 1040 Series cycling computers and more.
Garmin Coach updates
Garmin Coach now offers training plans for cyclists – in addition to the existing training plans for runners. Garmin points out that this makes it easier for riders to prepare for an event, pursue a personal milestone or seek to improve overall fitness.
To start a plan, users select their event date and desired distance in the Garmin Connect app to start receiving personalised daily workouts designed to help reach individual goals. Users can also see their personalised training plan overview, as well as their weekly workout schedule in the Garmin Connect app.
Additionally, users can choose from new Garmin Run Coach or Garmin Cycling Coach plans that will adapt each day based on their performance, recovery and health metrics.
For runners, Garmin Run Coach provides personalised workouts that change day-to-day based on performance, recovery and health metrics.
Garmin notes that… ‘Whether a runner crushes that day’s workout, delays their run because they’re feeling a little under the weather, or cuts their run short because of extreme temperatures, Garmin Run Coach plans adapt in response.’
For cyclists, Garmin Cycling Coach helps build personalised plans that adapt based on performance and recovery. These plans also let cyclists see how their current abilities will stack up against the demands of the course they plan on riding – including elevation gain and distance requirements.
Cyclists can also take advantage of prebuilt cycling plans designed for all experience levels.
New features coming to Garmin devices
- Garmin Share: Share saved locations, courses and workouts with other nearby, compatible Garmin smartwatches and Edge cycling computers.
- Race time prediction enhancements: Receive more refined race time predictions based on fitness level, training history and recent run performances on a compatible smartwatch.
Features coming to Edge cycling computers
- Road hazards: Receive alerts for road hazards reported by fellow cyclists – such as potholes or fallen trees – and contribute information to help alert other riders.
- GroupRide enhancements: With a compatible Edge devices, stay connected on group rides with in-ride messaging, live locations and incident detection alerts that can notify and route fellow riders to a cyclist in need of help. Cyclists can also add some competition to their ride with in-ride leaderboards for climbs, plus post-ride awards.
- Road surface type: See paved or unpaved roadways on a compatible Edge while riding and get alerts for upcoming unpaved sections.
- Map manager with Wi-Fi connectivity: Add, swap, or update additional maps via Wi-Fi on the device.
The software updates have started to roll out to compatible devices. Customers can update their smartwatch or cycling computer by enabling automatic updates from their device and syncing with Garmin Connect or by using Garmin Express.
