- Approach S62
- D2 Air
- Descent Mk2 series
- Enduro
- epix (Gen 2) series
- fenix 6 series
- fenix 7 series
- Forerunner 245 & 245 Music
- Forerunner 45 & 45S
- Forerunner 55
- Forerunner 745
- Forerunner 945 & 945 LTE
- Garmin Swim 2
- Instinct Solar series
- Lily
- MARQ collection
- tactix Delta series
- Venu
- Venu 2 series
- Venu Sq series
- vivoactive 4 series (includes Hero and Legacy watches)
- vivomove 3 series (includes Luxe, Sport, and Style watches)
- vivosmart 4
Select your product to confirm this information applies to you
How Does the Intensity Minutes Feature Work?
150 minutes is the minimum goal set for weekly intensity minutes credit, which represents how many minutes of moderate exercise is recommended by health organizations such as the American Heart Association.
NOTE: The Intensity Minutes feature is only found on compatible Garmin watches. Other fitness products such as an Edge cycling computer do not calculate intensity minutes during activity.
How Can I Earn Intensity Minutes Credit?
Garmin watches that have the intensity minutes feature can provide credit in two different ways:
Heart Rate
Your current heart rate is compared to your average resting heart rate.
Frequency of Steps
The number of steps per minute you take is analyzed. For example, you can earn intensity minutes credit once a brisk walk or running is detected. If no heart rate sensor is present, only moderate intensity minutes will be credited.
Your age, weight, height, and resting heart rate as calculated by your Garmin watch also factor into intensity minutes credit.
Are There Any Other Requirements?
In order to earn intensity minutes credit, you must reach or exceed 10 consecutive minutes* where either your step count rate or heart rate is elevated above the threshold that is considered moderate intensity. Performing a more vigorous activity resulting in a high heart rate can double your credit minutes, allowing you to meet your weekly goal faster.
*NOTE: The Forerunner 245/245 Music, 745, 945, 945 LTE and Venu 2 series can earn intensity minutes with less than 10 consecutive minutes where your heart rate is elevated above the threshold that is considered moderate intensity.
What About Other Activity Types?
You can also earn intensity minutes by completing a number of different exercises in order to meet your weekly goal. However, it is suggested that anything outside of brisk walking or running such as cycling, weightlifting, or various calisthenics be recorded using the activity recording feature on the watch. This ensures the heart rate is being monitored consistently and allows you to upload your workout and view your results in Garmin Connect.
Watches that support optical heart rate while swimming can give credit for intensity minutes when swimming in open water or a pool. All other watches will not give intensity minutes for swimming. Unless you are swimming with an HRM-Pro that is also paired to your Garmin Connect app on your phone. See Can I Get Intensity Minutes From a Chest Heart Rate Monitor?
Learn more about intensity minutes by viewing the YouTube video below:
Can I Customize My Watch to Give Me Credit Based on My Own Criteria?
Most watches with wrist-based heart rate sensors will calculate intensity minutes by comparing your current heart rate to your average resting heart rate, but some watches have an option to base intensity minutes on heart rate zones (see Changing Heart Rate Zones in Garmin Connect). When using heart rate zones, you will earn intensity minutes credit when you reach or exceed 10 consecutive minutes* of activity where your heart rate is at or above the heart rate zones that you have set for moderate or vigorous intensity.
This feature will only be available if the watch's software is up to date. See Installing the Latest Software to Your Fitness Device for more information.
*NOTE: The Forerunner 245/245 Music, 745, 945, 945 LTE and Venu 2 series can earn intensity minutes with less than 10 consecutive minutes where your heart rate is elevated above the threshold that is considered moderate intensity.
Choose a watch option below to reveal steps to customize intensity minute credit.
Open the Garmin Connect app on a paired smartphone.
- Open the menu.
- Android: Select
(top left) iOS: Select More (bottom right)
- Android: Select
Select Garmin Devices.
Select your device.
Select Activity Tracking.
Select Weekly Intensity Minutes.
Select Heart Rate Zones.
Select Moderate Intensity and select a zone.
Select Vigorous Intensity and select a zone.
If you do not have access to the Garmin Connect app, you can also adjust this setting by signing into your Garmin Connect account on a computer (see Changing Device and User Settings in Garmin Connect).
Open the Garmin Connect app on a paired smartphone.
- Open the menu.
- Android: Select (top left)
iOS: Select More (bottom right)
- Android: Select
Select Garmin Devices.
Select your device.
Select Health & Wellness.
Select Weekly Intensity Minutes.
Select Use Heart Rate Zones.
Select Moderate Intensity and select a zone.
Select Vigorous Intensity and select a zone.
If you do not have access to the Garmin Connect app, you can also adjust this setting by signing into your Garmin Connect account on a computer (see Changing Device and User Settings in Garmin Connect).
Open the Garmin Connect app on a paired smartphone.
- Open the menu.
- Android: Select (top left)
iOS: Select More (bottom right)
- Android: Select
Select Garmin Devices.
Select your device.
Select Activity Tracking.
Select Weekly Intensity Minutes.
Select Heart Rate Zones.
Select Moderate Intensity and select a zone.
Select Vigorous Intensity and select a zone.
If you do not have access to the Garmin Connect app, you can also adjust this setting by signing into your Garmin Connect account on a computer (see Changing Device and User Settings in Garmin Connect).
Open the Garmin Connect app on a paired smartphone.
- Open the menu.
- Android: Select (top left)
iOS: Select More (bottom right)
- Android: Select
Select Garmin Devices.
Select your device.
Select Activity Tracking.
Select Weekly Intensity Minutes.
Select Heart Rate Zones.
Select Moderate Intensity and select a zone.
Select Vigorous Intensity and select a zone.
If you do not have access to the Garmin Connect app, you can also adjust this setting by signing into your Garmin Connect account on a computer (see Changing Device and User Settings in Garmin Connect).
Press and hold the
key (right key).Select Settings.
Select Activity Tracking.
Select Intensity Minutes.
Select Based On.
Select HR Zones.
Select Mod. Intensity and select a zone.
- Select Vig. Intensity and select a zone.
You can also adjust this setting within Garmin Connect (see Changing Device and User Settings in Garmin Connect).
Open the Garmin Connect app on a paired smartphone.
- Open the menu.
- Android: Select (top left)
iOS: Select More (bottom right)
- Android: Select
Select Garmin Devices.
Select your device.
Select User Settings.
Select Weekly Intensity Minutes.
Select Heart Rate Zones.
Select Moderate Intensity and select a zone.
Select Vigorous Intensity and select a zone.
If you do not have access to the Garmin Connect app, you can also adjust this setting by signing into your Garmin Connect account on a computer (see Changing Device and User Settings in Garmin Connect).
Open the Garmin Connect app on a paired smartphone.
- Open the menu.
- Android: Select (top left)
iOS: Select More (bottom right)
- Android: Select
Select Garmin Devices.
Select your device.
Select Activity Tracking.
Select Weekly Intensity Minutes.
Select Heart Rate Zones.
Select Moderate Intensity and select a zone.
Select Vigorous Intensity and select a zone.
If you do not have access to the Garmin Connect app, you can also adjust this setting by signing into your Garmin Connect account on a computer (see Changing Device and User Settings in Garmin Connect).
Can I Get Intensity Minutes From a Chest Heart Rate Monitor?
If you have a Garmin HRM-Pro which is also paired to the Garmin Connect app on your phone you will get Intensity Minutes for activities which would otherwise not earn Intensity Minutes.
For example, if you record your ride with an Edge cycling computer while wearing an HRM-Pro, if the HRM-Pro is also paired to the Garmin Connect app on your phone you will get Intensity Minutes after syncing the strap and app. Only the HRM-Pro is capable of this feature.
Can I Change the Day of the Week That My Intensity Minutes Begin?
Intensity minutes are accumulated weekly from Monday–Sunday. You cannot change the day of the week that your intensity minutes begin. Changing the First Day of the Week setting in your Garmin Connect account settings only applies to your calendar and related features.