TrainerRoad, TrainingPeaks, TrainHeroic.... and Managing Time Efficiently

TrainerRoad Software
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Hi all, I’ve been using TrainingPeaks for a month or so, worked with a coach but have since cancelled that side of things - nice guy but the workouts weren’t “built” they were simply written (felt very cut and paste) so if I wanted to do them in Zwift for example, I had to either build them myself or just print the plan out and try to match the output. Which would be fine but for the cost felt a bit lacking.

I’ve never used TrainerRoad but the workouts look interesting and they seem to work with Zwift which is great! I just like having something to look at, keeps me engaged.

How does it work from a scheduling point of view? i.e. do I buy a plan? or does it just add workouts to my TrainingPeaks Library? or both?!

Additioanlly, I’m keen to use some strength training, as much as I’m losing weight at the moment, I do want to slow down when I’m down to circa 90kg. I’ve no plans to become a racer, nor really compete - I am however keen to complete events i.e. sportives, but i’d also like to remain strong. So the goal for me is overall fitness rather than being a specialist in cycling, cycling is simply something I enjoy.

So I guess I’m aiming for more Rafa Nadal physique over Chris Froome. More of a hybrid “athlete” than pure cyclist.

I see TrainerRoad automatically updates a plan after a heavy workout? that sounds great to me!
What are the strength workouts like? do I even need TrainHeroic? Do I still need TrainingPeaks?

I really want to plan a month out, I like seeing what to expect from training, I like being able to adjust if work gets in the way. I like getting the bike outside too and want to be able to adjust (or have it adjust for me) when I’ve got an event planned.

I’m assuming alot of my physique goals will be effected by my diet but I am keen to put time into strength and conditioning as well as cycling, so I’m keen to find a good balance.

At the moment, I’m the weakest i’ve ever been, I’m the fattest I’ve ever been. I’ve one hip replaced and the other catching up with needing to be done and i’m only just turning 40.

I want to make effective use of my training time and now i’ve got used to using that workout time to actually workout, I’m eager to keep it going.

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You want a left humerus that’s twice as thick as the right one? Weird!

:wink:

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hahah have to add some supplementary training to balance the muscles :laughing:

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If you are already using Zwift, have you considered the training plans available there “native” so to speak?

Most here (including me) have good reasons for using TR instead of, or as well as, Zwift. But there is nothing inherently wrong with the Zwift plans and the individual workouts are very comparable to the individual workouts in the TR library.

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the trouble with the Zwift plans is they don’t allow for actual planning i.e. I can’t see what’s coming up on a schedule, which I don’t like.
Additionally they don’t seem to allow for outside riding. I like to do group rides, and that doesn’t really get a look in on a zwift plan. I agree the workouts themselves are very similar, and I could of course just pick a workout and do it and build that into my schedule manually, but I do like the idea of the plan being automatic (which it seems to be advertised as with TrainerRoad)

If zwift had a calendar built in, or could add strength workouts I’d be happy.

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They are some of the many advantages TR has.

AIUI TR is still offering 30 days risk free to new members.

You can sign up, create a plan based around the date of one of the sportives you mention, take a look at it and give it a whirl for a few weeks.

If it suits you, then continue on the paid basis.

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yeah think that’s what I’ll do.
Doesn’t seem to have anywhere to add strength workouts, so still need TP or TH for that, so can’t bin off TP it seems.

From what I can see at the moment, it looks like I’d need to build a calendar in TR for cycling (this planned calendar doesn’t seem to show in TP, only the completed rides which is a shame)
I’ll then need to build a strength calendar in TH/TP.

Nothing as yet seems to be centralised, i.e. I can’t have one calendar to rule them all.

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I don’t know about Train Heroic but I can’t see a reason to keep using Training Peaks personally in your situation. The calendar and scheduling of cycling workouts will be done in TrainerRoad and you can add strength sessions to your calendar. TrainerRoad doesn’t have strength training plans but has a feature that will consider them as far as training fatigue is concerned.
I have built out my cycling plan on TrainerRoad and then I manually create strength sessions in the TrainerRoad calendar and have them repeat on the days of the weeks I want to lift weights.
The only situation where I could see a use for Training Peaks here is if Train Heroic syncs a training calendar over to Training Peaks.

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TR does let you record strength workouts.

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Not directly, you can certainly run TR and Zwift concurrently, but I generally find this too cumbersome and stick to one or the other depending on the ride purpose. Search for many threads on this topic.

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I think you’re right, I can’t now see a reason to keep up with TrainingPeaks. TR does seem to tick all the boxes I need it to, I’ve added some strength stuff into my plan, and will see how I get on

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You don’t buy a plan, you pay for a subscription. With that subscription, you have full access to everything. You have the following options:

  • You can use Plan Builder to build a custom training plan. The training plan is dynamic in that TrainerRoad will adapt the training plan depending on how you do. If you find all workouts easy, it will ramp up the difficulty. If you find them very hard or fail them, it’ll ramp down the difficulty and might even prescribe rest.
  • Another option is to use training blocks. These are also dynamic, but they offer less customizability.
  • You can use TrainNow to suggest you three different types of workouts. These are dynamic, so it is not a random workout generator.
  • You can use any workout in the vast library.

Strength workout plans are currently not included. But if you track them and e. g. upload strength workouts to Strava, they are imported to TR. If you then annotate the workouts (sets upper body, core, full body, etc.), TrainerRoad’s algorithms will take training fatigue from strength training into account when adapting your training plan.

Assuming you know your FTP, I suggest you start with TrainNow. All you need to do is determine the length of workouts and get into the groove. Start with 1–2 workouts per week and stay consistent :slight_smile:

If you don’t know your FTP or even know what FTP is, do a ramp test first.
To

To add to that: TrainerRoad’s philosophy here is to “Bring your own entertainment.” I typically listen to music and sometimes podcasts (for endurance workouts).

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The coach wasn’t building your workouts with structure which in the year of 2024 is ridiculous. Not a fault of TP. Most if not all coaches through TP’s coach match (if that’s what you went through) build workouts/plans with structure. It was the number one reason why athletes would want to drop the coach and use someone else or refund a training plan from the training plan store.

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yeah this was via coach match, he built structure, but it was written, the actual workout wasn’t even built in TP (i.e. had no intervals)

for example:

WU:15-25 min warm up, progressing from Zone 1 up to zone 3 in 10 mins
then complete 4-6 x 10 seconds high cadence / high speed intervals
next complete 3 X 1 min @ target 60 min power
1 min easy between
finish with 5 mins easy

MS1:
1 x Long duration test
TARGET: peak power for 60 mins duration
you need to pace yourself here. don’t go off too hard but make this your best effort.

If we don’t hit 60 min today dont worry, think of this as much of a session in learning to pace and finding out some useful data
I prefer you target a more conservative effort rather than run out of gas early

Cool down 10-15 minutes
CADENCE: small chain ring

image
image694×165 6.46 KB

the image showing the workout.

So i’d then need to build it to follow in Zwift, which just seemed pretty poor for the cost.

I agree, not the fault of TP, I’ve nothing against TP as a programme just if TrainerRoad is better, I’ll just use this.

My only gripe with TR so far is I can’t export the workout to Zwift, other than that it’s looking pretty good.

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I see - this is a test so they may have not built this with structure. There is ‘structure’ but they didn’t build the workout with structure. Structure in TP world is building the workout for you with power or heart rate so it syncs to your head unit (power only to Zwift). I worked at TP closely with coach match and customer support. I would still call this out as not building your workouts with structure. Did all the workouts look like that? Some coaches won’t build ftp or duration tests with structure so that you don’t limit yourself.

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yeah they were all very similar to that, all called something else so not all were tests, but endurance rides and NM speed work etc etc, all written very clearly, just not built even the simple 45 min at zone 2 rides weren’t built, so I couldn’t just load it up and ride which is what I had expected. I ended up building it myself, added the details he wanted, and then worked through them which of course is easy on the majority of them, but with max efforts I didn’t know how to do that in zwift so ended up having the turbo chasing my power outputs as all I could do was put it in free ride and spin.

That was really why I chose to end my coach subscription and start looking at other options again, which led me here

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As for exporting the TrainerRoad workout to Zwift, it isn’t currently possible but I believe there is a post on this forum that TrainerRoad intends to implement unit once Zwift has finished getting the API ready. Zwift has already announced opening this up in a future release so while you might not be able to do it now, you should be able to in the future.

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that’s good to know, I was going to get a 4iii HRM to act as a bridge for ANT+ and run them both but likely just hold out and hope it comes to fruition.

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Zwift finally opened up it’s API to FasCat app so maybe it’s coming soon for TR.

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You are in the right place!! Welcome! I can feel your enuthusiasm and it’s contagious :raised_hands:. This is a great place to start.

TrainerRoad Training Plans make sure that all of your time spent training is productive and intentionaly moving you toward your goals.

We just released Plan Builder Version 2 (PBV2) today!! You’ve come to TrainerRoad at an excellent time!! :tada:

Check out this forum post for more information on how to create a very personalised Training Plan in TrainerRoad.

You can also find more information here:

I pointed you toward this podact in another thread- I think this information will be extremely useful in your case.

If you are following the basic nutrional principles outlined in that podcast I linked and your training in an intentional way (as you will be when following a TrainerRoad Training Plan) and you’re doing strength traininig, your body composition will take care of itself. Trust :v:.

Nate and Jonathan discuss all things Strength Training in the latest Ask A Cycling Coach podcast. You might find it helpful! You can check that out here.

Yesss!!! :raised_hands:

We use AI to continuously monitor your training and performance, and adjust your upcoming training to your needs.

You can learn more here:

Yes :100: :raised_hands: :raised_hands:

You can learn how to enable this early access feature here.

It can feel like a lot of information when you are new. But it is very simple to use. Sign up, give it a shot, let us build a Training Plan for you. If you decide that it’s not for you, no problem at all. Just reach out to TrainerRoad support at support@trainerroad.com, and we’ll give you your money back- no questions asked :).

Let us know if you have any other questions- we are always more than happy to help!

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