ACTIVITY FILES
GPX versus FIT: what a running file can actually contain
A file extension tells you the format. You still need to inspect which records and measurements are inside the particular file.
A route format and an activity format
The GPX 1.1 schema defines waypoints, routes and tracks. Track points contain coordinates, with optional fields such as elevation and time; additional information can use extensions. A GPX track therefore does not automatically guarantee a heart-rate stream.
Garmin's FIT activity format supports session and lap summaries alongside records such as position and sensor samples. The format's ability to represent a field does not prove that a device recorded it or an exporter included it.
Inspect the file needed for your question
| Question | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Can I draw the path? | Usable route or track coordinates |
| Can I place points on a timeline? | Timestamps associated with the points |
| Can I inspect recorded laps? | Lap or split records |
| Can I inspect measured heart rate? | HR values with suitable timing |
| Can I interpret a pause? | Relevant event information or a documented pause method |
| Can I compare total pace? | Consistent distance and duration definitions |
This is an inspection checklist, not a declaration that one extension always wins. Choose the record that actually contains the evidence needed for the intended task.
A simplified export example
Imagine two exports of the same outing. Export A contains 500 route points but no timestamps. Export B contains route points with times and additional heart-rate samples. A can describe a path. B can support more time-based questions if the records are valid and aligned.
Neither the number of points nor the file size alone determines quality. A larger export may include more metadata, duplicated points or other fields that do not answer your question. Keep an untouched original and compare the specific records, not just the extension.
Keep import support separate from file contents
A service may support a connection without accepting arbitrary local files of every format. Check Runome's current compatibility information rather than treating this format explanation as an upload feature announcement. Public file-inspection and browser-based route-creation tools are separate from the currently available web calculators.
If an activity imports with gaps, use the missing-metric guide. If your goal is a route export, prepare the recorded route for a 3D video by checking continuity and location detail before sharing it.