New Garmin beta smartwatch update brings improved Lactate Threshold estimate

The Garmin Forerunner 255 is receiving a new beta update, version 21.14. The software was announced in a post on the Garmin forum, with accompanying release notes. These indicate that there is a new Meditation Activity, though this is only available for the Forerunner 255 Music (curr. $299 at Amazon).

Another new tool is the Moon Phase glance, and pool swimmers will see enhancements to pace alerts, critical swim speed, alert tones and the rest screen. There are bug fixes for the estimated training effect for daily suggested workouts and silent timers making sounds. Plus, issues with Android smartphone image notifications and heart rate spikes have been resolved.

Beta version 21.14 also brings changes to the Lactate Threshold estimate for the Forerunner 255; users do not need to manually trigger the calculation or use a heart rate monitor strap anymore. The new criteria include having auto lactate threshold detection switched on, which it is by default, having a baseline VO2 Max estimate and recording your heart rate activity during a Run or Trail Run activity. There is also the option to add a manual reading. However, some users have complained that, since the update, their BPM and lactate threshold data seem incorrect.

If you are enrolled in the Beta Program and wish to download software version 21.24 for the Forerunner 255, you will need to manually ‘Check For Updates’ from within Settings. Similar updates have also arrived for the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 wearables.