Garmin Connect: How to Edit Activity Types on Mobile and Desktop

How do you edit activity type in Garmin Connect?

To edit an activity type in Garmin Connect, you can easily modify it through either the Garmin Connect mobile app or the Garmin Connect website, navigating to the specific activity and selecting the 'Edit' option to change its classification.

The Importance of Accurate Activity Categorization

In the pursuit of optimized fitness and performance, data accuracy is paramount. Garmin Connect serves as a powerful hub for tracking, analyzing, and interpreting your training data. However, the efficacy of this analysis hinges significantly on the correct classification of your activities. Mislabeling an activity, whether due to automatic misdetection by your device or a manual error, can lead to skewed metrics, inaccurate training insights, and a compromised understanding of your physiological responses to exercise. Correcting activity types ensures that your training load, performance metrics (like VO2 Max estimates), recovery recommendations, and personal records (PRs) are precisely aligned with your actual efforts, providing a true reflection of your fitness journey.

Editing on the Garmin Connect Mobile App

The Garmin Connect mobile application provides a convenient and intuitive interface for managing your activities on the go.

• Open the Garmin Connect App: Launch the application on your smartphone or tablet.
• Navigate to Activities: From the main dashboard (often called "My Day"), tap the three lines (menu icon) in the top left corner (iOS) or top right (Android) to open the navigation drawer. Select "Activities" from the menu, then choose "All Activities."
• Select the Activity to Edit: Scroll through your list of activities and tap on the specific activity you wish to modify.
• Access the Edit Option: Once on the activity's detail page, look for an "Edit" option. This is typically represented by a pencil icon or the word "Edit" at the top right of the screen. Tap it.
• Change Activity Type: Within the edit screen, you will see various fields pertaining to the activity. Locate the "Activity Type" field. Tap on it to open a list of available activity categories.
• Choose the Correct Type: Select the appropriate activity type from the extensive list (e.g., changing "Walk" to "Hike," or "Cardio" to "Strength Training").
• Save Your Changes: After selecting the new activity type, ensure you tap "Done," "Save," or the checkmark icon (depending on your device and app version) to apply and save your modifications.

Editing on the Garmin Connect Website (Desktop)

For those who prefer a larger screen or more detailed view, the Garmin Connect website offers comprehensive editing capabilities.

• Log In to Garmin Connect: Open your web browser and navigate to connect.garmin.com. Log in with your Garmin account credentials.
• Access Your Activities: On the left-hand navigation panel, click on "Activities," then select "All Activities."
• Select the Activity: From the list of your activities, click on the specific activity you want to edit. This will open its detailed view page.
• Initiate Editing: On the activity's detail page, look for the "pencil icon" (edit icon) in the top right corner of the activity summary box, or sometimes a dedicated "Edit" button. Click on it.
• Modify Activity Type: A new window or section will appear allowing you to edit various aspects of the activity. Locate the "Activity Type" dropdown menu.
• Select the Correct Category: Click the dropdown and choose the precise activity type that accurately reflects your session.
• Confirm and Save: After making your selection, scroll down and click the "Save" button at the bottom of the edit window to finalize your changes.

Common Scenarios for Editing Activity Types

Understanding when to edit an activity type is crucial for maintaining data integrity:

• Automatic Misidentification: Your Garmin device might sometimes automatically classify a brisk walk as a "Run" or a casual bike ride as "Transportation."
• Specificity in Strength Training: A general "Cardio" or "Other" activity might be more accurately labeled as "Strength Training" or "HIIT" to reflect the specific physiological demands.
• Distinguishing Similar Activities: Differentiating between a "Hike" and a "Walk," or "Indoor Cycling" versus "Road Cycling," provides more nuanced data.
• Correcting Manual Errors: Sometimes, you might inadvertently select the wrong activity profile on your watch before starting a workout.
• Specialized Sports: Changing a generic "Other" activity to a specific sport like "Yoga," "Pilates," "Swimming," or "Golf" for better categorization.

Impact of Accurate Activity Categorization

The correct classification of your activities in Garmin Connect is not merely an organizational task; it profoundly impacts the analytical power of the platform:

• Training Status and Load: Garmin's advanced metrics like Training Status (e.g., Productive, Peaking, Unproductive) and Training Load (Acute, Chronic) rely on accurate activity types to assess the physiological stress and adaptation. Misclassified activities can lead to skewed load calculations and misleading status updates.
• VO2 Max Estimation: Activities like running and cycling are primary drivers for VO2 Max estimation. If a leisurely walk is categorized as a run, it can negatively impact your VO2 Max trend, as the algorithm will assume a poor performance for a "run" activity.
• Recovery Time: The recovery advisor uses activity type and intensity to estimate necessary recovery. An incorrectly labeled high-intensity workout could lead to insufficient recovery recommendations, while a low-intensity workout labeled as high could suggest unnecessary rest.
• Body Battery: This metric, which reflects your energy reserves, is influenced by your activities. Accurate categorization helps Garmin understand the energy expenditure and recovery associated with different types of exercise, leading to a more precise Body Battery reading.
• Personal Records (PRs): Your fastest mile, longest run, or biggest elevation gain are all tied to specific activity types. Correct categorization ensures these achievements are accurately recorded and celebrated.
• Workout Analysis: When reviewing individual workouts, the correct activity type provides context for the metrics displayed, making the data more meaningful for performance analysis and future planning.

Best Practices for Recording Activities

While editing capabilities are essential, minimizing the need for edits through accurate initial recording is ideal:

• Select the Correct Activity Profile: Always ensure you select the appropriate activity profile on your Garmin device before starting your workout (e.g., "Run," "Bike," "Strength," "Yoga").
• Customize Activity Profiles: Take advantage of your device's ability to customize activity profiles. Name them specifically (e.g., "Gym Strength," "Outdoor Run") to avoid confusion.
• Understand Auto-Detect Features: Be aware of your device's auto-detect capabilities (e.g., Move IQ). While convenient, they may not always precisely match your intent.
• Review After Sync: Make it a habit to quickly review newly synced activities in Garmin Connect to catch any misclassifications early.

By diligently ensuring your activities are correctly categorized in Garmin Connect, you unlock the full potential of its analytical tools, gaining deeper insights into your training, optimizing your performance, and fostering a more informed approach to your health and fitness journey.