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Garmin Connect Integration

Garmin Connect is the hub for all your Garmin device data, providing detailed insights into your fitness, health, and performance. Connect your Garmin account to GymLive to share your training data with your coach.
Garmin integration uses OAuth authentication - you’ll sign in with your Garmin Connect credentials to authorize data sharing.

What Data Can Be Synced?

Garmin provides extensive fitness and health metrics:
  • Activities: Running, cycling, swimming, strength training, and 40+ activity types
  • Training Metrics: VO2 max, training load, recovery time, performance condition
  • Heart Rate: 24/7 monitoring, resting HR, HR zones
  • Sleep: Advanced sleep stages, sleep score, Body Battery
  • Stress: All-day stress tracking and relaxation reminders
  • Body Metrics: Weight, body composition, hydration
  • Performance: FTP, lactate threshold, training effect
  • Women’s Health: Menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking

Setup Instructions

1

Prepare Your Garmin Account

Ensure your Garmin device is syncing properly:
  1. Open Garmin Connect app on your phone
  2. Pull down from the top to sync your device
  3. Verify recent activities appear
  4. Check that your profile information is complete
2

Connect Garmin to GymLive

In the GymLive app:
  1. Navigate to Settings > Integrations
  2. Select Garmin Connect
  3. Tap Sign in with Garmin
  4. You’ll be redirected to Garmin’s secure login page
3

Authorize GymLive

On Garmin’s authorization page:
  1. Enter your Garmin Connect credentials
  2. Review the data permissions requested
  3. Click Authorize to grant access
  4. You’ll be redirected back to GymLive
GymLive never stores your Garmin password - authorization is handled securely by Garmin.
4

Verify Connection

Back in GymLive:
  1. You should see “Connected” status for Garmin
  2. Your recent activities will begin syncing
  3. Historical data (up to 30 days) will sync gradually
  4. New activities sync automatically after each workout

Ensuring Data Syncs Properly

Device to Garmin Connect

Your Garmin device must first sync to Garmin Connect:
Most common method:
  1. Keep Garmin Connect app open on your phone
  2. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled
  3. Device syncs automatically when in range
  4. Blue sync icon appears on device when syncing

Garmin Connect to GymLive

Once data is in Garmin Connect:
  1. GymLive checks for new data every 15 minutes
  2. New activities typically appear within 1-2 minutes
  3. Pull down to refresh in GymLive for immediate sync
  4. Ensure you have internet connectivity

Advanced Garmin Metrics

Training Status: Indicates if your training is productive, maintaining, or unproductiveTraining Load: 7-day accumulated load with optimal rangesLoad Focus: Balance between anaerobic, high aerobic, and low aerobicThese help your coach optimize your training plan.
Energy reserves from 0-100 based on:
  • Sleep quality
  • Stress levels
  • Activity
Helps determine readiness for hard training.
Hours needed before next hard effort based on:
  • Workout intensity
  • Current fitness
  • Recent training history
Coaches use this to plan workout timing.
VO2 Max: Cardiovascular fitness indicatorRace Predictor: Estimated finish timesThreshold: Lactate threshold HR and pace/powerCritical for setting training zones.

Troubleshooting

  1. Verify Garmin Connect sync:
    • Open Garmin Connect mobile app
    • Check activity appears there first
    • If not, manually sync device
  2. Force sync to cloud:
    • Pull down from top in Garmin Connect app
    • Wait for sync circle to complete
  3. Check web dashboard:
    • Log into connect.garmin.com
    • Verify activity shows online
    • If yes but not in GymLive, contact support
Garmin tokens expire periodically for security:
  1. Go to Settings > Integrations in GymLive
  2. Tap Garmin Connect
  3. Select “Reconnect”
  4. Sign in again with Garmin credentials
  5. Re-authorize access
Some metrics require:
  • Compatible Garmin device
  • Wearing device consistently
  • Enough data history (e.g., VO2 max needs 2+ weeks)
  • Proper user profile (age, weight, max HR)
Check Garmin Connect first - if missing there, it won’t sync to GymLive.
Normal timeline:
  1. Workout ends → Device: Immediate
  2. Device → Garmin Connect app: 1-5 minutes
  3. App → Garmin Cloud: 1-2 minutes
  4. Garmin Cloud → GymLive: 1-15 minutes
Total: Usually under 20 minutes

Device-Specific Features

Forerunner Series

  • Advanced running dynamics
  • Training readiness
  • Race predictions
  • Course navigation

Fenix Series

  • Multisport tracking
  • Advanced performance metrics
  • Expedition mode data
  • ClimbPro ascent planning

Edge Series

  • Cycling power data
  • Advanced cycling dynamics
  • Segment tracking
  • GroupTrack data

Venu/Vivoactive Series

  • Animated workouts
  • Hydration tracking
  • Respiration data
  • Fitness age

Best Practices

Profile Accuracy

Keep height, weight, and max HR updated for accurate metrics

Consistent Wearing

Wear device 24/7 for complete health data and accurate Body Battery

Regular Syncing

Sync at least daily to prevent data gaps

Activity Details

Add notes, RPE, and tags to activities for coach context

Privacy & Security

  • OAuth 2.0 secure authentication
  • GymLive never sees your Garmin password
  • You control data access permissions
  • Revoke access anytime in Garmin Connect settings
  • Data encrypted in transit
  • Compliance with Garmin’s API terms

Garmin Coach Integration

If using Garmin Coach plans:
  • Plans sync to GymLive for visibility
  • Your coach can see scheduled workouts
  • Completion status updates automatically
  • Allows coordination between Garmin Coach and personal coach