.FIT File Extension
What is an FIT file?
.FIT file extension is a data format associated with Garmin devices, widely used for recording and storing activity data such as cycling, running, swimming, and other fitness activities.
FIT stands for Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer, and these files contain detailed information about the activities recorded, including GPS coordinates, heart rate, speed, elevation, and other performance metrics.
More Information.
Garmin introduced the .FIT file format in 2010 as part of an initiative to enhance data exchange and analysis capabilities within its ecosystem.
Before the .FIT format, Garmin devices primarily used the TCX (Training Center XML) and GPX (GPS Exchange) formats, which had limitations in terms of efficiency and flexibility.
The .FIT format was developed to overcome these limitations by providing a more compact and efficient means of storing activity data.
Origin Of This File.
The .FIT file format was developed by Dynastream Innovations Inc., a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. It was designed to facilitate efficient and standardized data transfer between fitness devices and software platforms.
This file format has become a standard in the fitness industry, enabling interoperability between various devices and applications.
File Structure Technical Specification.
The .FIT file format is a binary file designed for efficiency and interoperability. Its structure consists of the following key components:
- File Header: This section contains metadata about the file, including the file type, file size, protocol version, and profile version.
- Definition Messages: These messages define the structure of the subsequent data messages. They specify the data fields and their respective types (e.g., integer, float, string).
- Data Messages: These messages contain the actual activity data. Each data message corresponds to a previously defined message structure and includes values for the specified data fields.
- CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check): The file ends with a CRC value used for error checking to ensure data integrity.
The .FIT file format is designed to be extensible, allowing for the addition of new data types and fields without breaking compatibility with existing software. This flexibility is achieved through a combination of definition and data messages, which together describe the data contained within the file.
How to Convert the File?
Converting .FIT files to other formats can be useful for analysis, sharing, or integrating with other platforms. Several tools and software can perform this conversion:
- Garmin Connect: Garmin’s online platform allows users to export .FIT files to formats like GPX, TCX, and CSV.
- Third-Party Tools: Software such as Fit File Repair Tool, GPSBabel, and online converters like FitFileTools.com provide options to convert .FIT files to various formats.
- Python Libraries: For developers, libraries such as
fitparseallow for programmatic conversion of .FIT files to other formats.
Advantages And Disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Efficiency: The binary nature of .FIT files makes them compact and efficient to store and transfer, saving storage space and reducing upload/download times.
- Interoperability: The standardized format ensures compatibility across a wide range of devices and software applications, promoting data sharing and analysis.
- Extensibility: The format’s extensible nature allows for the addition of new data types and fields, ensuring it can evolve with new technological advancements.
- Error Checking: The inclusion of a CRC ensures data integrity, minimizing the risk of corrupted files.
Disadvantages:
- Complexity: The binary structure, while efficient, can be more complex to interpret compared to human-readable formats like XML or JSON. This requires specialized tools for data extraction and analysis.
- Proprietary Nature: While the .FIT format is widely used, it is proprietary to Garmin, which may limit its adoption outside of Garmin’s ecosystem.
How to Open FIT?
Open In Windows
- Garmin Connect: Users can upload and view .FIT files through the Garmin Connect application or website.
- TrainingPeaks: This platform supports .FIT file uploads for detailed activity analysis.
- Golden Cheetah: An open-source software for athletes that can read .FIT files.
Open In Linux
- Golden Cheetah: Available for Linux users, providing robust support for .FIT files.
- GPSBabel: A command-line tool that can convert and view .FIT files on Linux systems.
Open In MAC
- Garmin Express: This application allows for the synchronization of .FIT files from Garmin devices to Garmin Connect.
- Strava: The Strava app for macOS supports importing .FIT files for activity tracking and analysis.
- Golden Cheetah: Available for macOS as well, supporting .FIT file imports.
