Fitbit’s Cardio Load & Target Load start to appear on devices
Fitbit users are beginning to see two new fitness metrics, Cardio Load and Target Load, on their devices. Reports indicate that these features are rolling out to devices compatible with the Readiness Score, such as the Fitbit Charge 6. Both metrics aim to provide deeper insights into cardiovascular health and personalized training guidance.
The new functionality was originally teased by Google in their December Pixel Drop update. These are features that can typically be found on sports watches. The company said at the time that it would start rolling out on December 9th, but it is only yesterday that users have started noticing it.
How to use the Cardio and Target Load features
The Cardio Load feature can be found under the Activity section of the Fitbit app. Users will need to opt in to enable it, at which point the calibration process begins.
Over the following seven days, the device tracks all activity. This includes everything from light movement to intense workouts, while monitoring heart rate continuously. During this time, users must wear their device throughout the day and night, including during sleep.
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Once a week of data has been recorded, Fitbit generates a personalized Cardio Load value. This metric provides an overview of the cardiovascular stress accumulated from daily activities, factoring in both the intensity and duration of exercise.
From there, the Target Load metric is introduced. This feature offers tailored workout recommendations by comparing the user’s short-term activity trends with their longer-term fitness patterns. Factors like age, gender, and heart rate during physical activity influence these personalized targets. So the metric is highly specific to each individual.
The Target Load serves as a valuable planning tool for workouts. By providing a suggested range of activity levels, it helps users maintain a balance between pushing their fitness boundaries and avoiding overtraining. In a sense, it complements the Readiness Score. That one tells you if you should train on a particular day, while Target Load suggests how much to train.
All in all, this is a useful addition to Fitbit watches. If your device has the Readiness Score, you should get the Cardio and Target Load as well in the coming days. 2024 has not been such a great year for Fitbit fans. Few new devices, functionality being stripped back – its good to get a bit of positive news to end the year on.
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