What is Cardio Load?

[YachatsMike]

I just noticed a new line in my exercise records called Cardio Load.  I don't think it's been there long.  I did a site search and there was nothing about it.  What the heck is it?  I understand Zone Minutes pretty well but, since in my exercises it appears to always be zero, I am totally clueless as to what Cardio Load is trying to tell me.  Help?

[JohnnyRow]

I see it listed on Polar Watch and Casio systems as a measure of how much strain your workout is putting on your cardiovascular system. If you see it on Fitbit it must just be a trial thing.  Are you in some trial group?  I don't see it, but haven't had a "workout" for a few days.
Can you post a screen shot?

[YachatsMike]

It must have been an experiment.  The line has disappeared now.

After a little research I think Cardio Load is a score for your aerobic effort.  It could be used to compare exercises with a common metric.  It would let you see whether you are getting equivalent exercise across different workouts.  I have my  own spreadsheet that does that with Met-minutes.  I use a combination of machine calories and  duration to calculate the value.  I use the HHS Physical Activity Guidelines for benchmarks.  My typical exercise is 9 Mets (80% of my HR Max) for 40 minutes.  If I do that 5 times a week that's 4x the recommended weekly minimum.

[LZeeW]

@YachatsMike   Cardio load is very briefly mentioned in this New Premium Features post in the Premium forum.  There is little to no detail.  It is mixed in with a Pixel Watch section.  It's not clear what this is, if it is limited to Pixel Watch users, or if it is Android only.

[TheNeilHaley]

Sunday, August 18 and I have just noticed the 'cardio load' option for the first time.

 

[BethanySchultz]

I just got the cardio load line in my exercises today, after my charge six pushed a software update, but no explanation. Hopefully they add a little blurb about it. I am not a premium subscriber, by the way.

[TxPat]

I have a Charge 6 and it's just showed up on there.

[JohnnyRow]

I just got it too, but from screen shots I've seen posted, only values of zero, so not much point in wondering what it means yet.

[YachatsMike]

I think I know what it will be. It will be a score that you can use
measure the net cardio vascular effect of an exercise. You can use it to
set exercise goals, compare different modes of exercise (very handy it
you're a cross trainer.), and ensure you're getting the right amount
of exercise on a daily or weekly basis. I'm guessing it will be like the
met-minute, a measure that the HHS Physical Activity Guide uses. That would
make sense since they've already adopted the PAG heart rate zones and
titles. They just have to figure out the algorithm.

[Jonesy1977]

I have no idea but I hope it's not active yet as I got a score of 0 even doing a very active clubbercise session and the same for zumba yesterday!

[GregLinscott]

I've noticed it too. Also scored 0 the last two days, while getting over an hour of combined vigorous and peak activity each day cycling.

[SamBC]

Pixel Watch and Pixel 7 user here, with premium. Cardio load appears, is always zero, and about the same time the calorie burn calculations dropped massively. 

Not sure if they are related or coincidences from the same update.

[---Dan]

I'm using Android and a Charge 6, and I was wondering what the zero cardio load was.  My workout kept me above 115 bbm heart rate for the 

better part of 90 minutes, and 149 Zone Minutes.  So I came here to see if there was an answer.

[jliz]

It has shown  up on my Inspire 3.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members!

We’re excited to introduce new Fitbit fitness features to Pixel Watch 3 users this Fall. Beginning in September look out for Cardio load, which helps you better track your training. It tracks your heart’s exertion and intensity during an activity and throughout the day, and even keeps track of your trends over time to help you know if you’re over- or under-training, maintaining or improving your fitness. For more information please visit our Fitbit Community blog post.

[LZeeW]

@LizzyFitbit   This is the Inspire 3 forum.  These users aren’t using a Pixel Watch.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. @LZeeW Thanks for the heads up!

We believe everyone should have access to the best experience and we will soon be making this feature available to all our users.

[YachatsMike]

You will be explaining how Cardio Load is calculated, right?  Before I would trust a metric I would want to know what is actually being measured and the formula being used to calculate the value.  I'd also like to know who came up with the formula and what research went into validating its efficacy. 

[SamBC]

Also, it's clearly showing up long before September...

[WendelPost]

Replay from Fitbit on question about cardio load:

Cardio load is a feature that is still under development. However, at the moment, there is an issue with the software causing the cardio load to remain at 0. This was recently introduced and our development team is working to fix the difficulties users are currently experiencing with the feature. We will fix the issues with an update as soon as possible.