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Importing Workouts

Learn how to import individual GPX and FIT workout files into Tempo. The Import page is file-only — it does not accept Strava or Tempo ZIP archives. For a full Strava archive ZIP, see Bulk Import (Settings → Migrate / restore, or first-run onboarding).

Supported File Formats

Tempo supports the following workout file formats:

  • GPX (.gpx) - GPS Exchange Format, commonly used by Garmin, Strava, and other services
  • FIT (.fit, .fit.gz) - Garmin's native format, supports compressed files

How to Export from Different Devices

Garmin Devices

  1. Connect your Garmin device to your computer
  2. Navigate to the device's storage
  3. Find workout files in the GARMIN/ACTIVITY/ directory
  4. Copy .fit files directly

Apple Watch

  1. Open the Health app on your iPhone
  2. Navigate to the workout you want to export
  3. Use a third-party app or service to export as GPX
  4. Alternatively, use the Health app's export feature if available

Strava

  1. Go to the activity page on Strava
  2. Click the three-dot menu (⋮)
  3. Select "Export GPX"
  4. Download the GPX file

For your full Strava history as a ZIP, use Bulk Import.

Import Process

Step 1: Access the Import Page

  1. Log in to Tempo (and finish onboarding if prompted)
  2. Navigate to the Import page from the main navigation (GPX/FIT uploads only)

Step 2: Upload Your File

You can import workouts in two ways:

Drag and Drop: - Drag your workout file onto the import area - Drop the file to start the upload

File Selection: - Click the import area or "Choose File" button - Select your workout file from the file picker

Step 3: Wait for Processing

Tempo will: - Detect the file format automatically - Parse the workout data - Calculate statistics (distance, pace, elevation, etc.) - Fetch weather data based on location and time - Generate splits and time-series data - Assign your default shoe (if you have one set in Settings)

Note: If you've set a default shoe in Settings, new workouts will automatically be assigned to that shoe. You can change or remove the shoe assignment later from Workout overview.

Step 4: View Your Workout

Once processing is complete, you'll be redirected to Workout overview where you can: - View the route on an interactive map - See detailed statistics - Review splits - Analyze time-series data (heart rate, pace, elevation)

Import Multiple Files

You can import multiple files at once:

  1. Select multiple files using Ctrl+Click (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Click (macOS)
  2. Or drag and drop multiple files onto the import area
  3. All files will be processed sequentially

What Gets Imported

For each workout, Tempo imports:

  • Route data - GPS coordinates for map visualization
  • Statistics - Distance, duration, pace, elevation gain/loss
  • Time-series data - Heart rate, pace, elevation, cadence, power, temperature over time (when available)
  • Additional FIT metrics - Speed, grade, and vertical speed from FIT files (when available)
  • Splits - Distance-based splits (km or mile, based on your unit preference)
  • Weather data - Automatic weather conditions for the workout
  • Metadata - Activity name, date, time, device information

Sensor Data Support: - FIT files: Extracts heart rate, cadence, power, temperature, speed, grade, and vertical speed from RecordMesg messages. Running cadence is stored as steps per minute (both feet); FIT strides/min are converted on import. On upgrade, existing FIT workouts that still have the original file are rewritten the same way; FIT rows that only have JSON (no file) may keep the older strides/min values. - GPX files: Extracts heart rate, cadence, power, and temperature from TrackPointExtension elements (Garmin format). Cadence is already steps/min and is stored as given. - Backward compatible: Files without sensor data are imported successfully with available metrics

Duplicates

Single-file import uses the same duplicate rule as Strava bulk. Tempo matches on start time, distance, and duration.

  • Updated if the existing Workout is missing raw file bytes or its FIT/GPX JSON is incomplete (backfill bytes/JSON; rebuild splits; fill empty route or time series). Distance, duration, and elevation are not rewritten when raw data is already complete.
  • Skipped when raw bytes and JSON are already complete.

Troubleshooting

File Not Supported

If your file format isn't recognized: - Ensure the file extension is correct (.gpx, .fit, .fit.gz, or .csv) - Check that the file isn't corrupted - Verify the file contains valid workout data

Import Fails

If import fails: - Check the file size (very large files may take longer) - Ensure you have sufficient disk space - Check the API logs for error messages - Verify the file contains GPS data (required for route visualization)

Missing Data

If some data is missing: - Some devices may not record all metrics (e.g., heart rate) - Weather data requires location and time information - Elevation data depends on GPS accuracy

Next Steps