With the demise of the Microsoft Band and those features that set that particular device apart, I lobbied Garmin early on that the company should figure out how to incorporate similar features into its devices. One of the bigger features that the Band had that none of the others offered, was the ability to create guided strength workouts. Microsoft provided a database of exercises from which you could choose and create custom workouts. Then, the workouts would be synched with the Band and the device would lead you through the routine.
Garmin already provides something like it, but the feature is only for runs, bike rides, and swims.
A recent update to the Garmin Connect software looks like the company is working to improve that functionality. The update now provides a feature in the Strength tracking to add exercises from a list of, seemingly, hundreds of stock exercises. You can even add your own.
This function is still not quite as feature-rich as what the Microsoft Band provided – not yet anyway. You can only enter your exercises as an afterthought – after the workout has been recorded. But, its a start.
Garmin’s web app also contains this functionality now, and even goes a step further, allowing you to link to YouTube videos that provide exercise instructions.
As time goes on and the Garmin community begins using this feature, that database of strength exercises should grow exponentially.
Garmin representatives say that this new feature coincides with the launch of the Vivosmart 3. The Vivosmart 3 is designed to count reps for strength exercises and even smartly identify specific strength exercises over time.
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