Writing .Tcx Workout Files That Specify It Is A Virtual Exercise Path Update

To indicate that a workout file is a virtual exercise path in the .tcx format, you can include certain elements and attributes in the file. Here are the steps to create a virtual exercise path in .tcx format:

1. Start with the basic structure of a .tcx file, including the header and Activities element.

2. Within the Activities element, create an Activity element and specify the Sport type as “Other”.

php
<Activity Sport="Other">

1. Create a Course element within the Activity element and specify the CoursePointType attribute as “Virtual”.

php
<Course CoursePointType="Virtual">

1. Within the Course element, add CoursePoints that define the virtual path. Each CoursePoint should include the Position element with the latitude and longitude coordinates of the point, as well as any other relevant data.

php
<CoursePoint>
  <Name>Virtual Point 1</Name>
  <Position>
    <LatitudeDegrees>37.776116</LatitudeDegrees>
    <LongitudeDegrees>-122.39734</LongitudeDegrees>
  </Position>
  <AltitudeMeters>0</AltitudeMeters>
  <DistanceMeters>0</DistanceMeters>
  <PointType>Generic</PointType>
</CoursePoint>

1. Repeat step 4 for each point along the virtual path, adding additional CoursePoints as needed.

2. Close the Course and Activity elements, as well as the header of the .tcx file.

php
</Course>
</Activity>
</TrainingCenterDatabase>

Your final .tcx workout file should include the header, Activities, Activity with a Sport type of “Other”, a Course element with a CoursePointType of “Virtual”, and CoursePoints that define the virtual path. Save the file with a .tcx extension and it should be ready for use.

A .TCX (Training Center XML) file is a type of file format used to store fitness activity data, such as running, cycling, or swimming workouts. The format was developed by Garmin, a company that produces GPS navigation and fitness devices.

The .TCX file contains information such as the date and time of the workout, the duration of the activity, distance covered, calories burned, heart rate data, and other details. The file can be uploaded to fitness tracking software or websites, such as Garmin Connect, Strava, or TrainingPeaks, to analyze and track progress over time.

The .TCX format is widely used by fitness enthusiasts, coaches, and athletes to monitor training, track performance, and set goals. It is compatible with various devices and applications, making it a popular choice for sharing and analyzing fitness data.

Both GPX and TCX are file formats used for recording and tracking activities such as running, cycling, and hiking. However, when it comes to uploading data to Strava, TCX is generally considered to be the better format.

The reason for this is that TCX files contain more detailed information about your activity, including metrics such as heart rate, cadence, and power, if available. This information is important for Strava to accurately calculate your performance metrics and give you a better understanding of your fitness.

On the other hand, GPX files are more basic and contain only location and time data. While this is sufficient for basic activity tracking, it doesn’t provide Strava with enough information to accurately calculate performance metrics.

Therefore, if you have the option, it’s generally recommended to use the TCX format when uploading activities to Strava. However, if you only have a GPX file, Strava can still use it, but you may not get as much detailed information about your performance.

A GPX (GPS eXchange format) file is a type of file that contains GPS data, such as waypoints, tracks, and routes, which can be used by GPS devices and software applications. GPX files can be created by recording GPS data using a GPS device or by manually creating the data using software.

A TCX (Training Center XML) file is a type of file that contains data about a specific workout or training session, such as heart rate, speed, and distance. TCX files are often used by fitness tracking devices, such as sports watches or GPS-enabled fitness apps, to store and analyze workout data.

Both GPX and TCX files can be used to share GPS and fitness data between different devices and software applications. GPX files are more commonly used for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, or geocaching, while TCX files are used more for tracking fitness activities such as running, cycling, or swimming.