4 Cycling Apps That Will Make You a Stronger Cyclist

[@ManofSteele41]

Great stuff Tariq! Happy to hear you're enjoying Xert! :)

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

It’s a powerful application for sure and a lot went into its development and ML/AI.

[@GravelRacer1]

I have been using XERT for the last 3 months. It's hands down the best training program. There is a bit of a learning curve, but the xert community is extremely helpful. I love that i can load FIT files from multiple sources so all my data is captured and my fitness profile is up to date. I really like the AI feature and real time Threshold Power so I never have to do another dreaded ramp test.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Thank you for your feedback on the app you use 🙏🏼

[@bapiwenyeli1937]

except it’s not user-friendly. Ease of use is very important. it doesn’t help to have the best algorithm but few can use your system. hire a brand and gui expert to help you revolutionise user experience.

[@quoccuongngo4570]

I just installed it, it always crashed when I press Train. Did anyone face this issue before?

[@julianoliver007]

Great that you're a fan of XERT. Ultimately the best training app is going to be the one you use consistently. Just wanted to point out that TR has all these features as well.

[@johnnyboy4711]

trainerday and intervals ,5 bucks a month . no bells and whistles but seriously great combo!

[@marekzrostlik2638]

Díky!

[@kompromesso]

To me the highest value for Money Is Trainer Day, which Is a very basic Trainer Road in Essence. Their custom workout builder Is v friendly and the database Is huge

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

I know they have been working on custom plans as well. Have you used any of their plans? It looks promising.

[@kompromesso]

@@SmartBikeTrainers Not yet. I do have my own Plan already and it's super Easy to create customized workouts through their spreadsheet-style builder

[@Stefan5329]

Nice video, I struggled with Xert. It always said I was fresh even when I was totally broken.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Hmm… interesting. I would reach out to support or xert community to see why is that.

[@blairdrader5490]

@stefan you can set the freshness slider to tired and it will ease up on recommended workouts for you

[@stergos78]

Hi Tarek, have you tried the JOIN cycling app? Looks interesting and would love to see a review.

[@CivisGym]

Can I download a scheduled workout to my computer in GIMP 2.10 format? I have an iGS630 and I can't connect to TrainerRoad

[@Brantastic07]

Hey I’m a zwifter myself. I just free ride though. I don’t do any structured workouts though

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Free riding is great and can be fun. I usually find climbs. They seem to make time fly by on the trainer. Thanks for watching!

[@47Seagull]

ICTRAINER...the best app out there! (IMO) and I've tried most of them. 😀

[@gianlucaierpi2258]

Hi Tariq, I practically used all of these programs. Right now I am trying the Wahoo systm. I find it interesting especially because I have also added some strength training. Although it is not the only training program that includes them. In any case, for those who intend to follow a structured training program the best, in my opinion, remains TR. But I had to stop because, following the adaptive algorithm, he offered me very hard workouts that I often couldn't finish and at the end of the workout I was completely exhausted ... maybe I have a poor engine. I stopped because the desire to ride a bike was passing me. Xert, I found it a bit confusing and often told me I had to rest .... given my experience with TR, xert probably understood who he was dealing with. I have been using zwift for a long time it is definitely complete and fun but after some time you get bored. The classification: TR, Whaoo Systm, Zwift, Xert.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Appreciate your feedback. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@petrbouma94]

Will we get new updates video or some reviews about JOIN training app, TrainerDay, The Breakway? :) Would appreciate it :)

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

I have used Wahoo SYSTM (and its predecessor, The Sufferfest) for a decade. It beats TrainerRoad in ine vital area: boredom. It's not engaging to watch a graph for an hour. Watching real video from real races is. Also, you would have to purchase external yoga, strength and mental fitness packages adding to one of the most expensive programs out there. Bonus: All of the twelve week SYSTM programs include a fitness test at the six week mark to see how well you are improving.

[@KenMeagher]

How about GROUP WORKOUTS ?

[@Wedge-jo4px]

Well done. Any advice for a senior beginner? I have been following your videos for a while now and have learned a great deal.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

All the apps mentioned have low volume type plans that should be plenty to get you going and not put a lot of stress. I would give them a try and see which one you like the most and works best for you.

[@myerscok]

Great video - thanks for making all this info digestible. I’m returning to cycling and fitness after a number of years, and a knee replacement. I’m not looking to race but wish to get fit enough to join cycling club runs. I want to mainly cycle but also swim and power walk back to a good fitness level. I have Wattbike and heart rate set up. What thoughts do you have for a suitable app?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

I think any of these apps would do for cycling. But if you want to have some structure around swimming, TrainerRoad would be my pick. You would benefit from its adaptability in cycling since you are just coming back into training. Xert is also good since it will monitor your cycling in real time and make adjustments as you train.

[@lenmcwilliams1058]

Best trainer to prepare for mountain biking?

[@bennessmith4370]

Can you cycle without power and use hr when cycling outside (if have smart trainer for indoor but no power for outdoor)?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Of course you can. The only thing is if you are tracking progress in your training, using the same metrics will give you better insights and results.

[@p44doyle44]

I must be only person I know who didn’t like trainer road I did it for a year and my ftp decreased. How do you adaptive for about three months four months now I have a coach and my fitness is great

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That’s interesting. But definitely nothing beats an actual coach. Thanks for the feedback and watching 🙏🏼

[@waynesmith4589]

Try XERT , using TR leaves me exhausted , too much Threshold stuff if you follow their plans .

[@davidlundy9142]

TR seemed too intense to be honest. I loved the idea of it but so many long rides that burned me out indoors. And that was a low volume plan. I know it takes time in the saddle to improve but they kind of immediately went there.

[@p44doyle44]

I agree. Most people love it but so much intensity and now I have 1 maybe 2 intense days and I’m in better form now than 2 years with TR

[@Youtubefana]

I agree. Too much intensity all the time burns you out.

[@justinhumphreys5230]

can you do a video on your tech setuo - like the roller and screen youh ad onthe wall - what is the ultimate way of projecting onto a screen/wall thanks

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

The roller is the TruTrainer rollers which I reviewed. I also did a video on what’s in my workout room not that long ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6abd6eigZage5o

[@justinhumphreys5230]

@@SmartBikeTrainers many thnanks must have missed that one cheers

[@waynesmith4589]

There’s one massive advantage XERT has over TR it takes into account Outside Rides and Zwift races when accessing your career , there is a very crude work around on TR but it’s not in the same league as XERT . If they got this sorted it would make a massive difference.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Right, there are some areas TR need to improve on and that’s one area I hope they add soon

[@waynesmith4589]

@@SmartBikeTrainers I agree , I’ve been a subscriber for 7 yrs and I think in general it’s good value for money , like you say if they change that one metric it’ll improve it significantly.

[@danielkennedy6330]

I believe from listening to TR podcast that they are working on an update right now to their “Progression Levels” to version 2 that will account for any unstructured indoor and outdoor rides as well as structured rides done indoor and outdoors.

[@waynesmith4589]

@@danielkennedy6330 That would be good

[@russellrebellion4258]

Thanks for your videos. With trainer road can you ride the workouts in the virtual world of zwift?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

You will have to have a subscription to zwift as well as trainerroad and you can run them simultaneously using one of the methods you can find here: www.smartbiketrainers.com/run-zwift-trainerroad-simultaniously-1948

[@russellrebellion4258]

@@SmartBikeTrainers Thank You.

[@frankconte264]

After years on Swift, its become very boring. I've actually just dropped it but I'm looking for an app with proper structure. I was thinking TR do to being a runner. but xert sounds very interesting. Tariq what would you suggest.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

If you run too, you will probably benefit more from using TR particularly if you run with power or the watch you use happened to measure running power whether you use it in your training or not. Xert is great for cyclists but it gets messy with running power. But I would give both a try and see which one you like more.

[@frankconte264]

@@SmartBikeTrainers thank you Tariq. I'm going to try both

[@barthezmg]

H Tariq, I enjoy your videos, all very interesting, thank you. I have a question that so far I have not seen a video on. What cycling platform is the most accurate for fitness, fatigue, recovery, form, recovery and FTP. I am currently using Wahoo X. I like Wahoo X and RGT for its content. I am trialling Xert just now. I do find Xert very interesting. It is such an individual platform. But what platform is the most reliable that I can trust to have me ready to take part in an event in May 20223. Keep doing the videos Tariq.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Many have found success following TrainerRoad plans and were ready to tackle their races. Personally I’ve also done TR last season with some modifications that I made to prep me for a 70.3 Ironman event and felt ready and strong on the bike. Xert is also good if you are a cyclist only and can figure out how it works but doesn’t work well for multi sport athletes.

[@josegomes9959]

I don't have a coach and next year I'm going to do mtb and road races. Which of these four applications is better for me. Thanks

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Give Xert or TrainerRoad a try. Both of these should get you ready for your races.

[@josegomes9959]

@@SmartBikeTrainers thanks

[@josegomes9959]

Thank you for your attention, but can you tell me for an athlete who will be doing several races during the year. Trainer road is better for me to follow at the time.

[@pizzadog50]

good video, I have been using Zwift for 1.5 yrs. & never got any updates that they have done. use apple TV. what do you think about the "Norwegian" style of training?

[@storytimewithkirk6659]

So recently something is wacky with my trainer / xert As watts in work out goes up feels double or more resistance then should be for that power Does xert have a calibrate trainer option for the xert software to make sure things are good ?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Which trainer do you have? Xert doesn’t offer trainer calibration. So you might need to use the trainer’s own app to performa spin down calibration.

[@storytimewithkirk6659]

@@SmartBikeTrainers I have kicker snap I did spin down with wahoo app Wonder if that did something Cause the workout I tried the other day had some intervals at 133 watts my high threshold but it felt like 500+ could almost not pedal

[@storytimewithkirk6659]

@@SmartBikeTrainers figured it out I had taken my trainer to Oregon when I visited family Power cord got mixed with other cord For some reason wrong one powered it but caused trainer to be wonky 80 watts was feeling like 500+ Working now

[@cycling.cheers2326]

Noticed that you are reviewing for the smart bike trainer, currently, we have a new product GPS bike computer which is very good for cyclists who want indoor training. My name is Kiko and we hope to see how we can work together.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Please reach out to me on my email to discuss further. You should be able to find my contact information on SMARTBikeTrainers.com. Thank you!

[@valuableblu]

I have Xert but I’ve been following a previous plan that worked for me. It’s hard for me to fully trust the computer to have me ready for races. Can the Xert Training truly have me ready for my “A” race? Have you exclusively used Xert to prepare yourself for an event?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That's a good question. It comes down to your goals and race day expectations. What these apps provide is a structure and day to day plan that you can execute and properly mange fatigue and avoid risking injuries and overtraining.

[@GravelRacer1]

I have been following the targeted event for a race on April 24th. It works. It automatically goes through base, build, peak, and taper. My FTP has increased over 20 W

[@valuableblu]

@@GravelRacer1 that funny because my first race is that same day. Thanks for the reassurance to trust the algorithm. I have two more big events that I will experiment and let Xert walk me to the podium 😉

[@GravelRacer1]

@@valuableblu Paris to Ancaster?

[@valuableblu]

@@GravelRacer1 first road race of the season. Your event sounds like more fun 😂 good luck

[@terrillford7784]

I just wish TR could do something to make the blue bars go away or add some graphics

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Not a fan of the blue bar? You can always run TR with another app. I have Zwift usually running in the background and collecting zwift points.

[@terrillford7784]

@@SmartBikeTrainers smart move. I normally use KZbin and search for cycling content. Was watching you while doing today workout

[@terrillford7784]

TR all day

[@stuartmclean3843]

Traininer day for me

[@m1n1t3]

Cycling more will make you a stronger rider. 😜