If you’ve ever finished a treadmill run and noticed the distance or pace looks off, you’ll need to know how to edit treadmill run on Garmin. It’s a common fix that ensures your training data stays accurate.
How to Edit Treadmill Run on Garmin
Editing your treadmill activity is done through the Garmin Connect app or website. The process is straightforward once you know where to look. You can adjust the distance, which is the most common correction, and other details like the title or activity type.
Why You Might Need to Edit Your Treadmill Run
Garmin watches use an accelerometer to estimate treadmill distance. It’s not always perfect. Here are the main reasons for an edit:
- Inaccurate Distance: Your watch might record 2.8 miles when you actually ran 3.1.
- Wrong Activity Type: It might save as “Indoor Run” when you want it labeled “Treadmill.”
- Missing or Incorrect Details: You might forgot to add notes or need to fix the time.
- Calibration Issues: The first few runs before the watch learns your stride can be off.
Step-by-Step: Editing in the Garmin Connect App
Using your smartphone is the quickest method. Follow these steps carefully.
- Open the Garmin Connect app on your phone.
- Tap on the activity you want to edit from your feed or the calendar view.
- Look for the three dots (⋮) or the pencil/edit icon in the top-right corner. Tap it.
- Select “Edit Activity” from the menu that appears.
- You will now see fields you can change. To edit distance, tap on the distance value.
- Enter the correct distance using the keypad. Don’t forget to save this change.
- You can also edit the activity title, type, and add notes here.
- Scroll down and tap “Save” to apply all your changes.
After saving, the app will recalculate your pace, calories, and other metrics based on the new distance. It’s a good idea to close and reopen the app to see the updated stats.
Step-by-Step: Editing on the Garmin Connect Website
If you prefer a larger screen, use the website on your computer.
- Go to connect.garmin.com and sign into your account.
- Click “Activities” in the left-hand sidebar, then “All Activities.”
- Find and click on the treadmill run you need to adjust.
- Click the gear icon or the “Edit” button (it looks like a pencil) near the activity title.
- A detailed edit page will load. Click the distance field to change it.
- Type in the accurate distance. You can also change the start time, activity type, and add a description.
- After making your changes, click the “Save” button at the bottom of the page.
The website sometimes offers more editing fields than the app, like adjusting the start time more precisely. It’s a handy alternative if your on your computer anyway.
Pro Tip: Calibrating for Future Runs
After you edit a run, you can help your watch do better next time. Once you save the corrected distance, Garmin Connect may prompt you to calibrate. If it doesn’t, you can do it manually.
- After saving, look for a message asking if you want to save the calibration.
- Select “Yes” or “Save Calibration.” This sends the correction to your watch.
- Your watch will use this data to improve its future treadmill distance estimates.
Do this for a few runs, and your watch should become much more reliable. Remember, calibration is specific to that watch and your running style on a treadmill.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to handle common hiccups.
- No Edit Option: Ensure you’re using the latest version of the Garmin Connect app. If on the website, try refreshing the page.
- Distance Field Not Changing: Make sure you are clicking directly on the number value, not just the label. A cursor should appear.
- Changes Not Saving: Check your internet connection. Also, ensure you scroll all the way down and tap the final “Save” button, not just the back arrow.
- Wrong Metrics After Edit: The recalculation might take a moment. Sync your watch and give the app a few minutes to update all the derived data.
If you’re still having trouble, a simple fix is to delete the activity and manually create a new one with the correct details. It’s not ideal, but it works.
What You Can and Cannot Edit
It’s helpful to know the limits of the editing tool. This saves you time and frustration.
You CAN Edit:
- Activity distance
- Activity type (e.g., Treadmill, Indoor Run)
- Title and description
- Start time and date
- Elapsed time (on the website)
You CANNOT Edit:
- The recorded heart rate graph or data points
- The step-by-step GPS track (for outdoor activities)
- Individual lap data for a treadmill run after the fact
- Cadence or stride length data directly
Essentially, you can edit the summary data, but not the raw sensor data collected during the workout. This is why getting the calibration right is so important for future activities.
Making Manual Entries for Missed Runs
Forgot to wear your watch? You can manually add an activity. This is different from editing, but just as useful.
- In the Garmin Connect app, tap the “+” icon (usually at the bottom).
- Select “Add Manual Activity.”
- Choose “Running” as the activity type.
- Select “Treadmill” as the sub-type.
- Enter all the details: date, time, duration, and the correct distance.
- You can even add average heart rate if you know it from another device.
- Tap “Save” to add it to your history.
Manual entries won’t contribute to your watch’s calibration, but they keep your training log complete. They also count towards your weekly goals and challenges, which is great.
FAQ: Editing Garmin Treadmill Activities
Q: Can I edit a treadmill run on my Garmin watch itself?
A: No, you cannot. Editing is only available through the Garmin Connect app or the website on a computer. The watch is for tracking, not for detailed data management.
Q: Will editing my run affect my VO2 Max or training status?
A: Yes, it can. Since VO2 Max and training status are calculated using your distance, pace, and heart rate, correcting the distance will allow these metrics to recalculate more accurately. The update may take a day or so to appear.
Q: How do I edit a indoor run on Garmin Connect?
A: The process is identical to editing a treadmill run. Just find the “Indoor Run” activity and follow the same steps to adjust the distance or other details.
Q: My treadmill distance is always short. What should I do?
A> Consistently save the calibration after each corrected run. Also, ensure your watch is worn snugly on your wrist and try to maintain a consistent arm swing while running on the treadmill. This gives the accelerometer better data.
Q: Is there a way to auto-correct treadmill distance?
A: Not automatically, no. Garmin’s Indoor Track mode can help for indoor running on a track, but for treadmills, manual editing and calibration are the primary methods for correction. Some higher-end treadmills with connectivity can send data directly to your watch, eliminating this issue.
Keeping your Garmin data accurate is key for tracking your progress. Now that you know exactly how to edit a treadmill run on Garmin, you can make sure every mile counts. Just a few quick taps after your workout is all it takes.