Suunto 9 - Fitness level doesn't work

isazi

@Denis_Bevi already discussed many times in the forum, but I’ll give you a summary (and you can search for more). Have you setup your zones, max, and rest HR? Do it. Then run with a bit of variability, to get in different zones, and it should work. For some people it works during their first run, other people need more runs until the algorithm is triggered, must depend on how you and different people train.

A Former User

@Denis_Bevi Did you run the whole time? Outside? Did you have good GPS reception in the area? Did you have good and consistent OHR measurements? Was the ground flat or mostly flat?

Firstbeat VO2 Max algo is optimized for roughly flat terrains, requires decent GPS and heart rate, and I think some stretches of running. If your pace varies too much because you hit a hill, or you do run-walk thing, it might be thrown off.

I’d do a soft reset of the watch and try again.

@isazi Not sure Firstbeat cares much about zone setup. And I definitely would recommend against varying the pace too much. Steady comfortable pace should do. Otherwise, your HR will be all over the place, which isn’t a good thing in Firstbeat book.

isazi

@NickK thought hitting higher zones was required for triggering the algorithm the first time, as discussed in the forum previously.

A Former User

@isazi It depends on definition of higher I suppose. 70% MHR? 80%? I know I always got VO2 Max calculated on steady 70-80% efforts with no issues, either Suunto or Garmin.

Pushing too hard might be counter-productive because it will result in higher overall average HR and lower VO2 Max as a result. Yes, things will adjust on subsequent runs, but why give Firstbeat a pleasure to beat you down? “Hello Suunto support! I’m a 25 year old Olympian, but your watch is saying I’m 67 and eligible for Social Security!”

Denis_Bevi

@NickK thank you so much for your answer, your time and explanation, sincerely I’m a beginner with my watch I’ll try to follow your instructions! Great man

Denis_Bevi

@isazi oh sorry, I didn’t read it was already discussed on forum! Anyway, thank you so much for your answer, your time and explanation, sincerely I’m a beginner with my watch I’ll try to follow your instructions! Great man

isazi

@NickK yes, I would consider 70-80% right higher zones already With a run of this kind the algorithm should be triggered.

isazi

@Denis_Bevi feel free to share your progress here, so we can help you solve all issues!

Stefan Kersting

I recognized that vo2 doesn’t measures in hiking mode. Are there several walking modes vo2 doesn’t work? Is it right that you have to walk faster than 4 km/h in order to calculate vo2 max?

isazi

@Stefan-Kersting in hiking mode it detects VO2max for me. The S9 I mean.

Stefan Kersting

@isazi I see there’s a difference between waking and hiking. When you use walking vo2 is calculated, not when hiking.

kabzior

@Stefan-Kersting said in Suunto 9 - Fitness level doesn't work:

When you use walking vo2 is calculated, not when hiking.

S9B calculates VO2Max during hiking for me every time… it says I’m ~30 years older than I really am, but hey - it’s still a calculation

Stefan Kersting

@kabzior when using this sports mode it doesn’t

isazi

@Stefan-Kersting in the English watch menu this may be “trekking” and not “hiking”, and I haven’t tried that. I can confirm only that the “walking” and “hiking” have VO2Max.

sartoric

That’s trekking indeed
This is hiking

Stefan Kersting

@isazi don’t have the English version but that’s the icon have to try the other walking sports modes then