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GarminDB

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Re: GarminDB

#11
post #10
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Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Garmin Connect web site seems to work fine for building structured workouts. It can also sync with TrainingPeaks. Is there something else we need? There are a lot more than two apps which read or write FIT files for purposes other than workout planning. I wrote one of them.

I personally don't know anyone who creates workouts in Garmin Connect. Not saying it doesn't happen, or even that it isn't common, but everyone I know is creating their workouts in TP, Intervals.icu, Golden Cheetah (or other similar dedicated training platforms), or even in Zwift (or another virtual training platform).

I build workouts in Garmin Connect (web version). It's not great, but it works.

Re: GarminDB

#12
Garmin should really embrace this. The alternative, relying on smartphone apps, will lock them out in the long run. The big advantage of buying dedicated hardware, like a Garmin bike computer, is having more control over your data.

Re: GarminDB

#13
Be warned anyone that uses this - it uses Garth (https://github.com/matin/garth) to authenticate. It masquerades as an Android app (a single instance of one at that) and does some hacky stuff to login via web forms.

Garmin is such a horrible company to try to integrate with. I don't know why they lock down their stuff so hard like this. And if you do manage to gain access to one of their offical APIs or SDKs, they are total dogwater.

Re: GarminDB

#14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Activities are just FIT files that can be accessed over USB.

You are right, but I've worn out the USB ports on multiple Garmins from using the ports to recharge and download the files. Now I just use the app and download the files later from the Garmin website, and use a magnetic charger plug also to eliminate the wear and tear on the port. I wish I could wirelessly access the files and cut out the Garmin app/download steps.

I've been through a lot of Garmin devices and mine always have battery degradation before the USB port is in any way non-functional. Especially with USB-C on the newest ones, that really shouldn't be happening.

Re: GarminDB

#15
post #12

Garmin should really embrace this. The alternative, relying on smartphone apps, will lock them out in the long run. The big advantage of buying dedicated hardware, like a Garmin bike computer, is having more control over your data.

The WorkOutDoors app and Strava both provide full access to gpx data

Re: GarminDB

#16
Before I recommend this to a garmin-owner who rows, does it have good models for rowing specific data like the 500m split timers and your cadence? I looked and it seems like its very bicycle/run aware, and "paddle" is not a term of art for rowers. (thats in the plugin) -If there is a data model for the Ergo, it probably would work because "its the same" (it isn't but anyway. meh)

He shared some data with me to see if I could decode/dump (2+ years ago) and I gave up. Garmin are not easy sometimes. Shame. I doubt their s/w is making them much, people buy for the hardware not the app specifically. False benefit lockin.

Re: GarminDB

#17
post #10
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Garmin Connect web site seems to work fine for building structured workouts. It can also sync with TrainingPeaks. Is there something else we need? There are a lot more than two apps which read or write FIT files for purposes other than workout planning. I wrote one of them.

I personally don't know anyone who creates workouts in Garmin Connect. Not saying it doesn't happen, or even that it isn't common, but everyone I know is creating their workouts in TP, Intervals.icu, Golden Cheetah (or other similar dedicated training platforms), or even in Zwift (or another virtual training platform).

I have, for years.

Re: GarminDB

#18
post #8
post #6

it always surprises me how much data is locked up in garmin's (ancient) sdk. for example, the FIT file format, used exclusively for programming workouts on all bike computers, are only supported in one or two apps! I suppose that's our fault and we should build on the sdk

The Garmin Connect web site seems to work fine for building structured workouts. It can also sync with TrainingPeaks. Is there something else we need? There are a lot more than two apps which read or write FIT files for purposes other than workout planning. I wrote one of them.

> for purposes other than workout programming

I specifically called out workouts.

one tedious thing is needing to manually create the workouts. Unless you're doing the same thing week in and week out, it gets old quickly.

I'd build something like a ZWO to FIT converter but there's no way to load them onto a bike computer without Garmin or TrainingPeaks

Re: GarminDB

#19
post #18
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Garmin Connect web site seems to work fine for building structured workouts. It can also sync with TrainingPeaks. Is there something else we need? There are a lot more than two apps which read or write FIT files for purposes other than workout planning. I wrote one of them.

> for purposes other than workout programming I specifically called out workouts. one tedious thing is needing to manually create the workouts. Unless you're doing the same thing week in and week out, it gets old quickly. I'd build something like a ZWO to FIT converter but there's no way to load them onto a bike computer without Garmin or TrainingPeaks

I only use my Garmin for GPS+heartbeat based workouts such as hikes + my runs. I've never had any issues integrating their services into Strava or a variety of workout devices in gyms. Though, on a sidenote, it is beyond annoying when many of those devices only support Ant+ or Apple HealthKit integration; but I wouldn't really tag that a Garmin issue as much as an ecosystem one.

That all being said, I could imagine more complicated workouts that surpass simple lap/leg tracking could be problematic.

Re: GarminDB

#20
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Garmin Connect web site seems to work fine for building structured workouts. It can also sync with TrainingPeaks. Is there something else we need? There are a lot more than two apps which read or write FIT files for purposes other than workout planning. I wrote one of them.

Yeah, Garmin’s own software isn’t great but it very easily syncs directly to loads of other services, and there are “interlocutor” (not sure what the right term is) apps like Rungapp on iOS that will let you sync it to even more. I personally highly recommend intervals.icu

Any benefits of intervals.icu over Garmin connect?
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