# garmin training readiness — Wearable Metrics Explained > Updated: 2026-05-15 · Source: https://dorsi.ai/topics/garmin-training-readiness Training readiness scores — like Garmin’s — try to answer one question: should you go hard or take it easy today? The metric blends heart rate… Garmin's training readiness score combines your sleep, recovery, and HRV to tell you if you're good for a hard workout or need an easy day. It's not perfect—your own felt sense matters more. On this page, I break down how Garmin calculates it and where the metric falls short for active adults. Training readiness scores — like Garmin’s — try to answer one question: should you go hard or take it easy today? The metric blends heart rate variability, sleep quality, recovery time, and recent strain into a single number. Relying on just resting heart rate or last night’s sleep duration misses the bigger picture. Dorsi does something similar for strength training: it adapts load and volume based on how your body responds in real time. But to understand why composite metrics matter more than any single wearable number, it helps to look under the hood at what training readiness actually measures and how it’s calculated. ## Check Your Training Readiness Score Open the training readiness widget on your Garmin watch or Connect app. This score combines sleep, HRV, recovery time, and acute load. A score above 70 means you're good for a hard session; below 30 suggests rest or easy movement. Use it as a guide, not a command—your body knows best. ## Evaluate Sleep and Recovery Metrics Sleep score and HRV status heavily influence readiness. Garmin tracks light, deep, and REM sleep. If your sleep score drops under 80 and HRV is low, readiness often tanks. Don't ignore these numbers—they reflect real physiological states. Poor sleep plus low readiness is a clear sign to take it easy. ## Compare Acute Load vs. Chronic Load Training readiness factors in your 7-day load (acute) versus 28-day load (chronic). A spike in acute load relative to chronic drops readiness. Check the ratio on the widget: 1.0-1.3 is ideal. Above 1.5 suggests backing off. This prevents overtraining and helps balance effort. ## Use Readiness to Set Workout Intensity Rather than following a rigid plan, let readiness dictate intensity. High readiness? Go for tempo runs or threshold intervals. Low readiness? Swap to zone 2 or a rest day. This adapts to your body's current state, cutting injury risk and improving long-term gains. ## Track Readiness Trends Over Days Don't overreact to a single day's score. A two-week downward trend in readiness despite good sleep might indicate overreaching. Garmin's color-coded history helps spot these patterns. Adjust nutrition or schedule a deload week. Some athletes notice readiness dipping before sickness hits. ## FAQ ### 1. can reduce A poor night of sleep under 6 hours drops Garmin training readiness by 15-20 points. High HRV imbalance after a hard run or stress also drags it down. Alcohol consumption before bed can slash readiness by 30%. Watch for illness - a cold spike can cut it in half. When readiness is low, skip the hard workout; do a recovery walk instead.