How to Export a FIT File from Garmin Connect

Garmin records activities in FIT format. There are three ways to get the file.

Step 1 (Web): connect.garmin.com → Activities → select activity → gear icon → "Export Original". A .fit file downloads.

Step 2 (Mobile): Garmin Connect app → activity → three-dot menu → "Export Original (.fit)".

Step 3 (USB): Connect device via USB → open in file browser → Garmin → Activity. FIT files are named with timestamps.

Always choose "Export Original" for the .fit file. TCX and GPX exports lose data fields. The original FIT contains everything: HR, GPS, speed, cadence, power, altitude, temperature.

Once you have the file, go to metricsoverlay.com/editor and drop it in. The editor reads all data channels automatically.

File sizes are typically 200KB to 2MB. A 1-hour activity at 1-second recording is roughly 500KB.