Proud user since 2014! Still grandfathered into the original plan. I'm paying peanuts for the best value in cycling! I would gladly pay the full retail for it and then some!
Glad you like them! I enjoy this type of subject and many people go out of their way to try to obscure this type of information for people getting into the sport. There is no reason to not encourage athletes to understand a little more than: Here's the wattage, hit it 😉
Love to hear it! I feel like there are new things being discovered in cycling and endurance sport to keep us all learning too. Of course there is the technology and marginal gains, but we are learning so much more about physiology, genetics, and training methodologies, I find it a perpetually entertaining subject matter!
Wow, just wow. Physics, Chemistry & Biology!!! You've just hit the triumvirate of all my scholastic pleasure zones!! And this on top of bike training. I'm definitely in need of a cold shower, else I might blow even before getting on the bike:) Love the technical information 👌
One really strange thing is the idea of 8 workouts to improve your fitness level, like most riders were not already working out 5-7 times a week, and being quite close to their potential of fitness level. If anybody improves a lot on the baseline rides I would believe that is mostly down to how hard you go on each of them.
They don't broadcast it well, but their concept is that these workout become the typical two intensity days you see in a pretty standard periodized plan and the athlete would build the rest of their week around them with endurance work, free rides, etc. But, one of the criticisms I had when I previewed the Academy was that even with a well periodized 4-week block, it is unlikely to see appreciable gains in power values, it would likely show first in HR, RPE, and repeatability. The time-frame is just too short for anyone who is not brand new to cycling.
Another great video, question, I have been trying out wahoo x (sufferfest) and it's good. I was curious about trainer road but due to the steep cost I haven't made the bite for just riding and no running. What would you recommend. Value wise and training
TR hands down. Not as pretty from a visual entertainment perspective, but the plans, workouts with alternates for difficulty, the machine learning that adapts your plan based on prior results and feedback... It's a BIG deal. I think the annual cost is $60 more... Value is an order of magnitude more.... No lie. No agenda here either... I've paid to use the program since 2014 never been happier. I promote it because I like it. The annual option is the better value, but they do a 30 day true no risk guarantee. You can pay for month and don't think you'll stick, they literally will refund you with no hassle. They switched from free trials because email abuses setting up multiple accounts to get more free time. If you do like it swap to the yearly and 2 and a half months are essentially free vs the monthly cost. I don't cover the platform a ton here because it's not as fun or "sexy" as Zwift or other graphical programs, but from a training benefit standpoint it destroys the competitors. Their podcast is pretty damn good too (don't need to even have the platform for access) its called "ask a cycling coach"
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic thank you so much for that. I truly appreciate it. After the zwift academy I will try it out. Thank you again for the great videos and once again, glad to see you back making videos. 😀
It's definitely a great value. It won't replace a coach but it is a great alternative if the expenditure is not possible or just isn't right for your budget against priorities.
I did well with the aerobic capacity test, averaging the free rides at 125% and 106% FTP. But I failed the glycolytic capacity test yesterday, legs stopped moving during the first 10 min block. I probably wasn't well rested. I "paced" the 30&60 sec different tho, more like I would to win a zwift race, starting hard and then try to hold power. I will try to do it like you suggest when I do the test tomorrow again.
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic worked out just fine! I averaged little less watts in the 30&60 sec efforts, but more in the 2 min. I felt very much in control tho, which was nice. First 10 min block felt hard, especially the first 3-4 min. The second one felt almost "easy".
@@itsucram this just happened to me, got all out on the 30,1 and 2 min free ride. I couldn’t finish the first 10 min sub treshold the first time also. Did the test over today, did the 30 and 1 min all out and paced the 2 min differently, just like you did. Worked for me!How did you find the 2nd 10 min sub threshold? After the 2min rest it felt like a piece of cake for me haha
Thanks for the video. Maybe a bit off topic, but what are your thoughts on XERT for self coaching? I am competitive with myself and want to be as strong as I can be on the road.
Personally, not a fan. Not to say that it is bad, but the learning curve is a little steeper than I am willing to commit to. They went out of there way to completely "rewrite" the book on training and avoid all the training terms and concepts that have a good amount of scientific consensus. Not wrong, more like having to learn a second language. The value for my time to do that wasn't there, as there was no benefit to my training. I personally found the TrainerRoad adaptive model much more complete and more thorough. All that to say that I don't have enough thorough knowledge or experience with it to give a concrete evaluation. I know many people have used it with good results, and the underlying concept of adaptive training is forward It does have price working for it, about 90 dollars less than TR annually. My biggest concern in recommending it, however, is that when you go to try to reconcile what is being provided on their platform with articles, research, and other literature on structured training, they may not jibe. Sorry if this wasn't terribly helpful...
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic thanks. I have been using XERT for about 2 months and I am getting comfortable with the terminology. I am trying them first because of the price. I want to try TR and see how I like it. All of my rides and training sync to XERT from Strava and it will be interesting to see how TR calculates my metrics and recommends workouts compared to XERT.
Not sure what benchmark they will use and of course, WKG comes into play too, but I would guess north of 360 watts for a climber under 65kg and maybe up over 385 for a more well rounded GC guy between 65 and 75 kg and 400+ for the larger diesel engines out there.
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic I recenrly saw a Jay Vine workout on Zwift. He was doing tempo in the high 300s (i.e. 380). So I'd imagine FTP north of 400 would be pro-level?
@@grey_fox7 depends on size really, some of the best climbers don't top 400, but power to weight is high because they are hovering around d 60-65kg. They may see development potential in someone in that 385-400 range is they are in the 75kg range. It's more than FTP though. If they see an anaerobic machine in there but a little shy on FTP, they'll likely get a good look 😉
I tried Pro contender 1 but have to re do because i had a connection issue halfway the 12 minute effort. Holy crap tho, i could barely finish the 10 minute sweetspot effort😂
It doesn't have a direct benefit to cycling performance, but rather in muscle protein synthesis. This can build strength and in turn can translate to additional power, but it's benefits are usually paired with strength work and nutrition.
Wow. This is incredibly good information presented well.
Thank you so much!!
I got happy when I heard the shoutout for TrainerRoad. I’ve been using them for about 2-3 years and love the ai additions!
Proud user since 2014! Still grandfathered into the original plan. I'm paying peanuts for the best value in cycling! I would gladly pay the full retail for it and then some!
These videos are amazing. I study sciences myself and I love sports so this is like the perfect combination👏
Glad you like them! I enjoy this type of subject and many people go out of their way to try to obscure this type of information for people getting into the sport. There is no reason to not encourage athletes to understand a little more than: Here's the wattage, hit it 😉
Great explanation of what's going on in these assessments. Lots of take aways in it. Really good video.
Thank you so much! Hope it's helpful.
I always learn something from you, even though I've been doing this for years.
Love to hear it! I feel like there are new things being discovered in cycling and endurance sport to keep us all learning too. Of course there is the technology and marginal gains, but we are learning so much more about physiology, genetics, and training methodologies, I find it a perpetually entertaining subject matter!
Wow, just wow. Physics, Chemistry & Biology!!! You've just hit the triumvirate of all my scholastic pleasure zones!! And this on top of bike training. I'm definitely in need of a cold shower, else I might blow even before getting on the bike:)
Love the technical information 👌
Thanks a bunch 😁
Great video coach Sarah! 👊🏻. Thanks for the upload, that would’ve taken some work to put together.
Thanks so much, hope it's helpful!
Nail Head Hammer!!
One really strange thing is the idea of 8 workouts to improve your fitness level, like most riders were not already working out 5-7 times a week, and being quite close to their potential of fitness level. If anybody improves a lot on the baseline rides I would believe that is mostly down to how hard you go on each of them.
They don't broadcast it well, but their concept is that these workout become the typical two intensity days you see in a pretty standard periodized plan and the athlete would build the rest of their week around them with endurance work, free rides, etc. But, one of the criticisms I had when I previewed the Academy was that even with a well periodized 4-week block, it is unlikely to see appreciable gains in power values, it would likely show first in HR, RPE, and repeatability. The time-frame is just too short for anyone who is not brand new to cycling.
It's not strange to me. I live in an area that is covered in hills.
Another great video, question, I have been trying out wahoo x (sufferfest) and it's good. I was curious about trainer road but due to the steep cost I haven't made the bite for just riding and no running. What would you recommend. Value wise and training
TR hands down. Not as pretty from a visual entertainment perspective, but the plans, workouts with alternates for difficulty, the machine learning that adapts your plan based on prior results and feedback... It's a BIG deal. I think the annual cost is $60 more... Value is an order of magnitude more.... No lie. No agenda here either... I've paid to use the program since 2014 never been happier. I promote it because I like it.
The annual option is the better value, but they do a 30 day true no risk guarantee. You can pay for month and don't think you'll stick, they literally will refund you with no hassle. They switched from free trials because email abuses setting up multiple accounts to get more free time. If you do like it swap to the yearly and 2 and a half months are essentially free vs the monthly cost.
I don't cover the platform a ton here because it's not as fun or "sexy" as Zwift or other graphical programs, but from a training benefit standpoint it destroys the competitors. Their podcast is pretty damn good too (don't need to even have the platform for access) its called "ask a cycling coach"
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic thank you so much for that. I truly appreciate it. After the zwift academy I will try it out. Thank you again for the great videos and once again, glad to see you back making videos. 😀
I recommend TrainerRoad, I used to pay 6 times the amount monthly for a human coach
It's definitely a great value. It won't replace a coach but it is a great alternative if the expenditure is not possible or just isn't right for your budget against priorities.
I did well with the aerobic capacity test, averaging the free rides at 125% and 106% FTP. But I failed the glycolytic capacity test yesterday, legs stopped moving during the first 10 min block. I probably wasn't well rested. I "paced" the 30&60 sec different tho, more like I would to win a zwift race, starting hard and then try to hold power. I will try to do it like you suggest when I do the test tomorrow again.
Awesome! The can be a great learning tool! Good luck!!
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic worked out just fine! I averaged little less watts in the 30&60 sec efforts, but more in the 2 min. I felt very much in control tho, which was nice. First 10 min block felt hard, especially the first 3-4 min. The second one felt almost "easy".
@@itsucram this just happened to me, got all out on the 30,1 and 2 min free ride. I couldn’t finish the first 10 min sub treshold the first time also. Did the test over today, did the 30 and 1 min all out and paced the 2 min differently, just like you did. Worked for me!How did you find the 2nd 10 min sub threshold? After the 2min rest it felt like a piece of cake for me haha
@@daanbakarbessy3659 indeed it was, felt like a 10 min victory ride, like „hey Gratz you did it!“
Do you know the "Join" app.
Many people in Holland think it's best training app/program.
What are your thoughts??
I have only seen it mentioned in forums, sounds like it has good reception though, no personal experience.
Thanks for the video. Maybe a bit off topic, but what are your thoughts on XERT for self coaching? I am competitive with myself and want to be as strong as I can be on the road.
Personally, not a fan. Not to say that it is bad, but the learning curve is a little steeper than I am willing to commit to. They went out of there way to completely "rewrite" the book on training and avoid all the training terms and concepts that have a good amount of scientific consensus. Not wrong, more like having to learn a second language. The value for my time to do that wasn't there, as there was no benefit to my training. I personally found the TrainerRoad adaptive model much more complete and more thorough.
All that to say that I don't have enough thorough knowledge or experience with it to give a concrete evaluation. I know many people have used it with good results, and the underlying concept of adaptive training is forward It does have price working for it, about 90 dollars less than TR annually. My biggest concern in recommending it, however, is that when you go to try to reconcile what is being provided on their platform with articles, research, and other literature on structured training, they may not jibe.
Sorry if this wasn't terribly helpful...
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic thanks. I have been using XERT for about 2 months and I am getting comfortable with the terminology. I am trying them first because of the price. I want to try TR and see how I like it. All of my rides and training sync to XERT from Strava and it will be interesting to see how TR calculates my metrics and recommends workouts compared to XERT.
Is there a FTP value which gives a realistic chance of getting a Pro-license?
As always, great video!!
Not sure what benchmark they will use and of course, WKG comes into play too, but I would guess north of 360 watts for a climber under 65kg and maybe up over 385 for a more well rounded GC guy between 65 and 75 kg and 400+ for the larger diesel engines out there.
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic I recenrly saw a Jay Vine workout on Zwift. He was doing tempo in the high 300s (i.e. 380). So I'd imagine FTP north of 400 would be pro-level?
@@grey_fox7 depends on size really, some of the best climbers don't top 400, but power to weight is high because they are hovering around d 60-65kg. They may see development potential in someone in that 385-400 range is they are in the 75kg range. It's more than FTP though. If they see an anaerobic machine in there but a little shy on FTP, they'll likely get a good look 😉
I tried Pro contender 1 but have to re do because i had a connection issue halfway the 12 minute effort. Holy crap tho, i could barely finish the 10 minute sweetspot effort😂
They will definitely give you some good insights! They could definitely be a great way to end a training block 😉
Teddy may eat out of whatever container he so desires
I'm certainly not going to be able to tell him otherwise 😂
Does creatine work for cyclists? Lifting weights use it all the time
It doesn't have a direct benefit to cycling performance, but rather in muscle protein synthesis. This can build strength and in turn can translate to additional power, but it's benefits are usually paired with strength work and nutrition.
@@EverythingIsPhotogenic yes I get it atz to atp
Love your videos but I am a casual rider