Garmin Connect: VAM, Vertical Metrics, and Calculation

Does Garmin Connect show VAM?

No, Garmin Connect does not natively display "VAM" (Velocità Ascensionale Media) as a distinct, labeled metric within its standard activity analysis. While it provides all the necessary raw data to calculate VAM, users typically need to perform the calculation manually or use third-party platforms that integrate with Garmin data.

Understanding VAM: The Metric of Vertical Ascent

VAM, an acronym for Velocità Ascensionale Media (Italian for Average Ascent Speed), is a critical metric primarily used by cyclists, runners, and mountaineers to quantify climbing efficiency. It represents the vertical meters climbed per hour (m/h). Understanding VAM provides valuable insight into an athlete's sustained power output relative to their body weight during ascents.

• What VAM Represents: VAM measures how quickly an athlete gains elevation over a given period. For instance, a VAM of 1000 m/h means an athlete is climbing 1000 meters in one hour.
• Why VAM is Important for Climbers:
  • Pacing Strategy: Helps athletes understand and optimize their climbing pace for long ascents.
  • Performance Comparison: Allows comparison of climbing performance across different ascents or against other athletes, normalizing for the duration of the climb.
  • Training Effectiveness: Provides a metric to track improvements in climbing power and efficiency over time.
  • Physiological Insight: A higher VAM often correlates with better power-to-weight ratio and aerobic capacity specific to climbing.
• Calculation of VAM: The formula for VAM is straightforward: VAM (m/h) = Total Ascent (meters) / Time (hours)

Garmin Connect and Vertical Metrics

Garmin devices and the Garmin Connect platform are renowned for their comprehensive data collection, including a wealth of information related to elevation and ascent.

• Standard Garmin Metrics Related to Ascent: Garmin Connect provides several key metrics that are foundational to understanding your vertical performance:
  • Total Ascent/Elevation Gain: The cumulative amount of vertical distance climbed during an activity.
  • Total Descent/Elevation Loss: The cumulative amount of vertical distance descended.
  • Maximum Elevation: The highest point reached during an activity.
  • Elevation Profile Graph: A visual representation of elevation changes over the course of your activity.
  • Vertical Speed (or Vertical Pace): Some devices and data fields can display instantaneous vertical speed (e.g., meters per minute or feet per minute), offering real-time insight into your climbing rate.
  • Grade/Incline: The steepness of the terrain, often displayed as a percentage.
• Does Garmin Connect Directly Display VAM?: Despite offering all the necessary components, Garmin Connect does not natively calculate or display "VAM" as a pre-defined metric within its activity summaries or detailed analysis. Garmin's focus tends to be on providing granular, raw data and more universally recognized derived metrics like pace, speed, heart rate, and power. VAM, while highly valuable, remains a more specialized metric often derived by users or third-party platforms.

How to Access Vertical Metrics in Garmin Connect

While VAM isn't directly shown, you can easily access the data required to calculate it within Garmin Connect.

• Viewing Activity Details:
  1. Log into your Garmin Connect account (web or mobile app).
  2. Navigate to "Activities" and select the specific activity you wish to analyze.
  3. In the activity summary, you will find key metrics such as "Total Ascent" (usually in meters or feet) and "Time" (often broken down into Moving Time and Elapsed Time).
  4. Scroll down to the "Elevation" section or view the "Graphs" to see the elevation profile and potentially "Vertical Speed" if your device recorded it.
• Analyzing Performance Data: You can also use Garmin Connect's reports feature or create custom reports to track total elevation gain over weeks, months, or years, which can be useful for macro-level training analysis.

Calculating VAM Manually or Via Third-Party Tools

Since Garmin Connect provides the raw data, calculating VAM is straightforward, and many advanced athletes use third-party platforms for more in-depth analysis.

• Manual Calculation Steps:
  1. Obtain Total Ascent: From your Garmin Connect activity details, find the "Total Ascent" value (ensure it's in meters).
  2. Obtain Moving Time: Find the "Moving Time" for the activity. Convert this time into hours (e.g., 1 hour 30 minutes = 1.5 hours; 45 minutes = 0.75 hours).
  3. Calculate VAM: Divide the Total Ascent (in meters) by the Moving Time (in hours).
     • Example: If your Total Ascent was 1200 meters and your Moving Time was 1 hour 15 minutes (1.25 hours), your VAM would be 1200 / 1.25 = 960 m/h.
• Third-Party Integrations/Tools: Many popular fitness platforms integrate with Garmin Connect or can import Garmin activity files (e.g., .FIT files) and offer VAM calculation:
  • Strava: Often calculates and displays "VAM" or "Vertical Speed" on climb segments and in overall activity summaries, particularly for cycling.
  • TrainingPeaks: A highly advanced training platform that can import Garmin data and allows for detailed analysis, including VAM.
  • WKO5/GoldenCheetah: Desktop-based analytical software for serious athletes and coaches, which can process Garmin data and provide VAM.
  • Specialized Online Calculators: Various websites offer VAM calculators where you can input your Garmin data.
• Using Garmin Data for External VAM Calculation: The ability to export your activity data from Garmin Connect (e.g., as GPX, TCX, or FIT files) makes it easy to upload your raw data to these third-party services for more specialized metric analysis.

The Future of Vertical Metrics in Garmin Connect

Garmin continually updates its devices and software, adding new features and metrics based on user demand and advancements in sports science. While VAM is not currently a native metric, it's not impossible that it could be integrated in the future, especially as climbing-focused activities like trail running and gravel cycling gain popularity. However, Garmin's current strategy seems to empower users with robust raw data and allow for external analysis of more niche metrics.

Conclusion: Leveraging Vertical Data for Performance Enhancement

In summary, while Garmin Connect does not directly display "VAM," it provides all the essential data you need to calculate this crucial climbing metric. As an athlete, understanding your VAM can significantly enhance your training, pacing, and overall performance on ascents. By utilizing Garmin Connect's rich elevation data – whether through manual calculation or by integrating with third-party analytical platforms – you can gain deeper insights into your vertical performance and effectively work towards your climbing goals.