Trainer Road - how effective is it, how does it work?

supermurph09

Didn't want to post on the official thread and have people's workouts get shunted off the page but I'm thinking of signing up to Trainer Road and wanted to gain a better understanding of it.

I now have a Tacx Flow trainer which I believe is supported, I also have a garmin edge 500, HRM, cadence and speed sensor so it seems I have all the right kit. My aim is to increase my thresholds, MAP and to be the best hill climber I can be. I wanted to know how trainer road can help me achieve my goals, can I "tell" trainer road what they are and it comes up with a suitable plan or do I have to have the knowledge to be able to select the correct workouts.

Also, can you install on the iPad?

If someone can give me some basic answers that would be great.
Cheers

cougie

I'm a novice - but you can go on and look at the careers of others using TR and see their progression.

One of the first sessions should be to test for FTP so you have a benchmark. Then you can retest and see whether you've improved or not.

Training always helps - I guess a coach might be better - but more expensive.

Here are the plans they offer - http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/plans

No you cant use it on an ipad - not yet at least.

Have to go and do my session now....

DaveL

Supermurph09 wrote:

Didn't want to post on the official thread and have people's workouts get shunted off the page but I'm thinking of signing up to Trainer Road and wanted to gain a better understanding of it.

I now have a Tacx Flow trainer which I believe is supported, I also have a garmin edge 500, HRM, cadence and speed sensor so it seems I have all the right kit. My aim is to increase my thresholds, MAP and to be the best hill climber I can be. I wanted to know how trainer road can help me achieve my goals, can I "tell" trainer road what they are and it comes up with a suitable plan or do I have to have the knowledge to be able to select the correct workouts.

Also, can you install on the iPad?

If someone can give me some basic answers that would be great.
Cheers

The only other things you will need is an Ant+stick, so your speed/cadence sensor can be linked to your PC/laptop. A fan and a towel.

They don't do a specific climbing plan, but plenty of climbing workouts, they work on high watts and low cadence (and they hurt)
I would recommend giving it a go, as if it's not for you, you get a 30 day money back guarantee and you can sell the Ant+ stick on eBay.

imposter2.0

Trainer Road is not a magic solution unfortunately. Like any other sort of training activity, you only get out of it what you are prepared to put in, in terms of effort.

dw300

FWIW .. http://www.trainerroad.com/career/dw300

I've removed several rides with bad data due to my bike set up, but the FTP and FTP/kg graphs are consistent.

supermurph09

Putting the effort in won't be a problem. Can someone recommend me an Ant+ stick that is compatible with my equipment! I think I'll give this a trial for a few months. DW300, thanks for the link.

3013buz

I have the same Garmin kit as you and use one of these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/suunto-movestick-mini/

I always ride within about 5m of the laptop and it's completely fine.

DaveL

^^ I have the same with an edge 800, no problems at all

supermurph09

Cheers guys.

FatTed

Dc Rainmaker prefers this Ant stick
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/02/much ... -your.html

cougie

Is that not the same stick ??

I have the Suunto and its perfect. Just keep it in the laptop at all times as its easy to lose otherwise.

dw300

Remember, you do not require a Garmin (or any other brand of) headunit to utilise TrainerRoad.

supermurph09

dw300 wrote:

Remember, you do not require a Garmin (or any other brand of) headunit to utilise TrainerRoad.

I'd still want to upload to Strava so I guess I'll need to run both? The Ant+ thing came the other day, Tacx Flow under the xmas tree, TR subs paid, just need to get cracking!

R8JimBob88

Supermurph09 wrote:

dw300 wrote:

Remember, you do not require a Garmin (or any other brand of) headunit to utilise TrainerRoad.

I'd still want to upload to Strava so I guess I'll need to run both?

You can export the ride from Trainerroad and then upload it to wherever you want afterwards. Doing it this way will also keep the VirtualPower data as your Garmin wont record this on its own.

dw300

R8JimBob88 wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

dw300 wrote:

Remember, you do not require a Garmin (or any other brand of) headunit to utilise TrainerRoad.

I'd still want to upload to Strava so I guess I'll need to run both?

You can export the ride from Trainerroad and then upload it to wherever you want afterwards. Doing it this way will also keep the VirtualPower data as your Garmin wont record this on its own.

Zats a bingo!

Do it this way. If your a Strava Premium member you get a fitness/freshness graph, which can be useful if all your training is done indoors during winter.

supermurph09

Cheers both, appreciate the advice

foggybike

Feel free to have a look at mine. Been using it since middle of August and the plans are definitely working.

http://www.trainerroad.com/career/ajfoggy

supermurph09

Thanks will check later