Performance Condition

Here’s one of the data fields on the 935 – Garmin’s Performance Condition –  that I had overlooked for various reasons although I did cover it a little (here) on the new Firstbeat features. You can find it in on your device under ‘other fields’ along with other gems such as ‘battery status’..

The Performance condition field is actually updated continuously throughout your run/ride and the numbers, for sure, go through to Garmin Connect (GC) from both the 935 and Edge 820. Nice. This chart clearly shows that info in GC.

I think the fact that it is updated throughout your workout is key to know.

There have been several times when it flashes up “Performance condition +1; Fair” after my first km or so and I’ve thought ‘Oh, that’s a bit rubbish (of me), I was hoping I was better recovered than that‘.. Maybe that low reading was even slightly demotivating for me on those occasions? Well now I now that the Garmin/firstbeat interpretation of my performance condition can actually change and rate me higher as the exercise progresses.

Now you know.

On the particular ride in question from the GC chart above. I do distinctly remember feeling a bit rough for the first hour or so and then feeling better as I ‘warmed up’. Maybe it just takes me a lot longer to get going these days? Bodes well for the ironman I guess but not for my next parkrun 🙁 Maybe I’ll jog there via the long route 🙂

Related reading: | Garmin Fenix 5s | First Run With STRYD | Drop Outs? or PowerTastic?.

Last Updated on 8 April 2026 by the5krunner

the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.