Garmin has just expanded the wide array of health and fitness features offered by select models of its cycling computer and smartwatch lineup. The new Edge 1040 head units and the Fēnix 7, Epix (Gen 2) and the Instinct 2 smatch watches are all recipients of this latest release.
The free software updates are now available. To take advantage of added features without any hassle, simply enable automatic updates on your device or Garmin Express. But for now let’s run through what this update will bring.
Updates to the Garmin Edge 1040 Series
Garmin overhauled its flagship cycling computer this summer, featuring the new Garmin Edge 1040 Solar with convenient solar charging, a more intuitive user experience and much more accurate GPS data – you can find our first ride review on the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar here.
The sheer range of features already stood out among the best cycling computers on the market. Still, Garmin isn’t holding out and has continued to improve existing features and integrate new…
Training status
(Image credit: Garmin)
Garmin has added the ‘Training Status’ feature, which gives you an overview of your longer-term training habits to help you see how your training is progressing – and to allow you to better plan the timing and goals of your session to track progress. to ensure and avoid overtraining.
“Using new indicators such as HRV status, recent exercise history and performance, [users can] gain insight into overall effort and whether training is productive, worrisome or taxing,” Garmin says.
HRV stands for heart rate variability and this is a measure of variations in the frequency of your heart rate, which can be influenced by several factors inside and outside your training.
Intensity minutes
Cycling regularly is important to stay fit and get on the bike faster. Health organizations recommend that adults exercise at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. Similar health benefits would be achieved by getting at least 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity.
Certain Garmin smartwatches automatically track those moderate and intense activity minutes throughout the week and present them as “intensity minutes.” “Intensive intensity minutes are counted twice to reflect the greater benefit to your body compared to moderate intensity,” Garmin explains.
If you use an Edge 1040 cycling computer with a compatible Garmin smartwatch, you can see when Garmin’s ‘intensity minutes’ have been earned during each ride.
E-bike support
Full support for electric bicycles is now provided on Garmin’s Edge 1040 cycling computers.
By connecting an ANT or ANT+ compatible e-bike, you can now view custom e-bike data, adjust assist levels and view remaining range based on a planned course.
Music
If you enjoy listening to music or podcasts safely while cycling, you’ll be happy to know that music playback can be controlled directly on the Garmin Edge device – as long as it’s paired with a compatible smartphone.
It’s a useful update, but not one that requires so much explanation about its purpose or function. In the meantime, you might want to check out our buyer’s guide to the best cycling headphones with sound here.
Garmin fēnix 7 series, epix (Gen 2), Instinct 2 series smartwatch updates
(Image credit: Garmin)
Smartwatches can be more affordable than cycling computers because they provide you with 24/7 health monitoring – and Garmin’s latest updates for select smartwatch models aim to build on this.
The “Training Status” feature described above can also be found on Garmin Fēnix 7 Series, Epix (Gen 2) and Instinct 2 Series smartwatches. Other notable updates include…
SatIQ
“To maximize battery life, SatIQ will automatically turn on multi-band GPS in areas where it’s needed most, such as narrow canyons or inner-city areas with tall buildings, then turn it off when it’s no longer needed to ensure athletes get the most out of their battery,” explains Garmin.
If you’re using the smartwatch on multi-day bikepacking trips, or any other situation where accuracy has to be balanced against battery usage, this sounds like a very useful update.
Race widget
Come on race day, there can be nerves to fight and a lot on your mind. So, to help you on the most important day, Garmin has gathered all the data you need into one ‘race preparation’ widget. This includes race day specific performance forecast, race day weather and a countdown clock.
Inventory Tracker
Garmin’s smartwatches aren’t just about keeping you up to date on your fitness progress, the latest software update also keeps you in touch with up to 50 stocks, so you can track prices and trends throughout the day.
Seeing how far Bitcoin has fallen may not be the best motivation when exercising, but Garmin also has to compete with more mainstream smartwatches, so maybe this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.