From Garmin to Instagram: Export GPX & Create a Video Story

GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is the universal file format for GPS tracks. Every Garmin watch records your activity in this format, and Garmin Connect lets you download it. There are two ways to do it depending on whether you prefer the web app or your phone.

Option A: Garmin Connect on the Web

1. Go to connect.garmin.com and sign in with your Garmin account.
2. Click Activities in the left sidebar, then select the run you want to share.
3. On the activity detail page, click the gear icon (top right) to open the options menu.
4. Select "Export to GPX". A .gpx file will download to your computer.
5. If you need the file on your phone, email it to yourself, save it to iCloud/Google Drive, or AirDrop it.

Option B: Garmin Connect Mobile App

1. Open the Garmin Connect app on your phone (iOS or Android).
2. Navigate to your activity by tapping on your recent activities or searching in the history.
3. Tap the three-dot menu (top right corner).
4. Select "Export Activity" and choose GPX as the format.
5. Your phone will prompt you to save or share the file. Save it to your Files app for easy access later.

Now that you have your GPX file, turning it into a video takes less than a minute.

1. Head to runflick.com and create a free account (email magic link or Strava OAuth — no password needed).
2. In your dashboard, click "Upload GPX".
3. Select or drag-and-drop the .gpx file you exported from Garmin Connect.
4. RunFlick parses the file instantly. You will see a summary of your activity: distance, duration, average pace, elevation gain, and a map of your route.
5. Review the data and click "Create Video" to queue the render.

RunFlick supports GPX files from any device — Garmin, Coros, Polar, Suunto, Apple Watch, and more. If your GPS watch can export GPX, RunFlick can turn it into a video.

RunFlick generates a vertical video (1080 x 1920) designed specifically for Instagram Stories and Reels. Here is what you get:

• Animated route: Your GPS track draws itself onto a clean dark-themed map, so viewers can follow your exact path from start to finish.
• Live stats overlay: Distance, pace, elapsed time, and elevation update in real time as the route animates. It looks like a live dashboard on top of the map.
• Split breakdown: At the end of the animation, your kilometer (or mile) splits appear as a clean data card, giving a quick summary of your effort.
• Smooth transitions: Every element fades and slides in with professional motion design. No jarring cuts, no amateurish screenshots.

The video renders in about 30 to 60 seconds. Once it is done, you can preview it directly in the browser and download the MP4 file to your phone.

With the MP4 on your phone, posting to Instagram is straightforward. Here are a few tips to make the most of it:

For Instagram Stories

• Open Instagram and swipe right to create a new Story. Select your RunFlick video from your camera roll.
• The video is already in 9:16 format, so it fills the entire screen — no cropping or resizing needed.
• Add stickers like your location, a music track, or a mention to your running club. The dark background blends nicely with most Instagram stickers.
• Consider adding a poll sticker ("Would you run this route?") to boost engagement.

For Instagram Reels

• Tap the plus icon and select Reel. Import the video from your camera roll.
• Add a trending audio track — running and fitness content performs well with upbeat music.
• Write a caption that includes your distance, time, and a few hashtags: #running #garmin #morningrun #runningvideo
• Reels get significantly more reach than Stories. If you want new followers to discover your content, Reels is the way to go.

Sharing via Link

RunFlick also generates a unique share link for each video. You can drop this link in your Instagram bio, send it in a DM, or share it on running forums and Discord servers. Anyone with the link can watch the video in the browser, no login required.

Why Not Just Screenshot Garmin Connect?

You could take a screenshot of your Garmin Connect activity and post that, but here is why a video works better:

• Videos get 2x more engagement than static images on Instagram according to most social media benchmarks.
• Animated routes tell a story. Followers can see where you went, how the pace changed, and how the elevation looked, all in a few seconds.
• It looks professional. A clean, dark-themed animated video stands out in a sea of blurry watch screenshots.
• It works on Reels and TikTok. Static screenshots perform poorly on video-first platforms. An actual video is what the algorithm wants to push.

Frequently Asked Questions