For Android users, a significant overhaul of Fitbit’s cardio load tracking is now available in a public preview. This update addresses a long-standing frustration for many, aiming to provide more sensible and actionable exercise guidance.
Cardio load is Fitbit’s attempt to quantify the optimal amount of exercise, preventing both overexertion for beginners and undertraining for seasoned athletes. It’s a concept familiar to anyone who’s tracked training volume or worked with a coach.
Fitbit utilizes a metric called TRIMP – “TRaining IMPulse” – to calculate cardio load. Each minute spent with an elevated heart rate contributes to your load, with intensity playing a crucial role in the calculation.
Previously, the feature proved confusing for many users. Daily fluctuations in recommended cardio load often felt disconnected from individual fitness levels and health histories. Rest days sometimes triggered warnings about undertraining, leading to widespread criticism.
Online forums, like Reddit’s r/fitbit, were filled with frustrated users expressing their confusion and concern. Titles like “Cardio load baffles me” and “Cardio load is not just wrong, it’s dangerous” highlighted the extent of the problem.
The core of the fix is surprisingly straightforward: Fitbit is now calculating cardio load recommendations on a weekly basis, rather than daily. The underlying TRIMP calculations remain unchanged, focusing instead on providing a broader, more stable perspective.
The logic is simple. Exercise naturally ebbs and flows, with harder efforts balanced by easier days or complete rest. Weekly tracking better accommodates this natural rhythm, offering more realistic guidance.
Furthermore, everyday activity – walking to the grocery store, taking the stairs – contributes to overall cardio load. Daily recommendations struggled to account for this consistent background activity.
The updated app presents a clear visual representation of your weekly progress, displayed as a prominent donut chart. A graph also illustrates your current load relative to your target and the threshold for overreaching.
Early impressions suggest a significant improvement. With just a couple of runs, a clear picture of weekly progress emerges, offering a far more intuitive and understandable experience.
