Target cardio load is often very low

[LindaMtl]

Cardio load targets seem too low, both for rest and workout days.  I set cardio load to “improve” in December and for the past 2 weeks have received low cardio load targets (0 to 40) for several days in a row, with warning of potential overtraining. Reason likely stems from the fact that I usually exceed those rest day target loads, because I cannot spend the day vegging in front of a screen. Daily activities get me to 30 load, add a short yoga session and I exceed rest day target. On days where I get a high cardio load, a one hour strength workout coupled with normal daily activities exceeds the target. Will the algorithm adapt over time and give me better advice? Do you have the same issue and if so how are you dealing with it? For now, going about my routine and ignoring it. However it’s very frustrating to always be at risk of overtraining or being told I’m maintaining my cardio health when my target is set to improve. 

[RiekoC]

Hello @LindaMtl 

Sorry to see you're dealing with frustration with your Cardio Target Load.

It takes a bit of time for your Cardio Target Load to "settle in", especially since the feature was released for other Fitbit devices only recently. The Cardio Target Load algorithm will continue to adjust based on your activities in the past month as described in this help page (<-- click link)

I've had the Cardio Load feature since it was released for the Pixel Watch 3 last year. My target ranges initially were on the lower side and eventually became more reasonable as the algorithm got more data.

Until yours settles in, you may be better off ignoring the recommended ranges for now & continue your normal workout schedule.

[LindaMtl]

Thanks this is reassuring. 

[ChrisMos]

I have the same problem, it consistently tells me to slow it down because my Cardio Load target is the lowest I think it can even go, 1-27. Like today I went for a run and it's upset at me for hitting 100, over the target.

 

[AsroSeabee]

you are 100% right the recommended cardio load is extremely low for me too. I do tend to overdo it so I was hoping this could help me but if I went by what they recommend I’d never improve my fitness. It’s frustrating to see it say I’m overtraining but I try to listen to my body a little closer to set the bar. This just doesn’t cut it. 

Moderator Edit: Formatting 

[1Adam1]

I’m so glad you posted this- very reassuring. My target today was…. 2-16… 

needless to say, I guess I’m just going to overtrain. 

 

[LindaMtl]

Now that the cardio load feature has “settled in”, I still find the over/under training notices hard to understand. Nor do the load targets make sense on most days. I suspect the feature is of value primarily for athletes who train to compete and thus can structure their days to follow the targets. I do find it helpful to look at the weekly training status trend and use that to adjust my routine. Otherwise, I generally ignore the daily target, preferring to listen to my body.

[YachatsMike]

Cardio Load hasn't been all that useful to me.  I think it looks back at your Cardio consumption over the last couple of weeks and decided what your average Cardio Load has been and sets that as a baseline.  It then looks at your goal, maintain or improve, to set your target for the day.  

It seems to get confused a little by off-days and responds by jacking up targets.  If you take more than a couple of days off and won't set a target at all.  On the other hand, if you achieve or exceed your "improve" targets a few times, it raises your baseline and what used to be an improve target becomes maintain and it jacks up your exceed target. OTOH, if you have a few slow days, your baseline will drop and what was a threat of under training becomes maintaining. 

I wanted a Cardio Load target that tells me whether I'm keeping up with my peers.  Cardio Load won't do that.  The better measure for that is Active Zone Minutes and I compare them to NIH standards.  I consider a successful week to be one where I earn 300 Zone Minutes -- 2X the NIH standard.