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Training Peaks Vs Garmin Connect

Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown
in General Training Discussions

Hello All,

 I wanted to know what everyone's thoughts are about these two programs.  Can people give me some feed back?  Also is it worth joining/paying for Training Peaks?  If so do we have a team discount?

 Jonathan

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Some general thoughts:
    ... Training Peaks is considered the gold standard, as it was developed with the aid of the guys who invented cycling power metrics like NP, IF, TSS, etc.
    ... TP is both a web site and a computer based program. Some people (like me) use the computer based WKO+, to avoid paying ongoing subscription fees. Since Im in this for the long haul, it saves me $$ to not pay periodic fees.
    ... Mac users who want a computer based program often go for Golden Cheetah, which mimics WKO in most respects, and is free. Ive used WKO on my Mac with Parallels, but now use a cheap windows netbook I have solely for my CompuTrainer and WKO.
    ... Since its been years since I explored Garmin Connect online, I'm not sure if you can enter swim workout info ( you can on WKO/TP). Again, its subscription based, but unlike TP/WKO, the online version is superior to the computer app, with much better mapping capability.
    ... since we end up,using multiple data sources for our three sports metrics, any solution will inevitably involve some kludging getting data to and from devices and analytic apps.
    ...EN used to have a 10% discount for WKO +, dont know if it still does
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I use the "premium" (subscription-based) TrainingPeaks. I also upload to Garmin Connect. Garmin connect has essentially no analysis although they have partnered with TP to be able to show NP, IF, TSS and use the TP calculations for those metrics. There are a lot of historical EN threads comparing these two so I won't go into all the detail...do a quick forum search and you'll find a lot of stuff on this topic. Most is debate as to if the subscription model is ripping you off (I don't mind it) or if you like having your data on a clousd-based application (I back mine up onto my computer anyway).
  • trisumaitrisumai
    I noticed with our USAT membership, there is a discount for TP. Too bad I found it last week :-(
  • Pat KossPat Koss
    I agree regarding TrainingPeaks. It is a premium product and I continue to discover useful metrics. For years I used Sport Tracks on Windows with great success, but have moved to TP on the web. Like Al said I will be moving to WKO to save a few dollars. Personally I will run it for now under Fusion on my Mac until the new Mac native version is out. EN has discounts on TP/WKO and USAT has discounts on TP on the web.
  • russGrussG
    Hi! I use TP for free - for those of you who pay to subscribe, what's the compelling value for you? (Not that $100/yr is significant digits in this game...)
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    Posted By Russell Green on 28 Feb 2013 12:59 PM

    Hi! I use TP for free - for those of you who pay to subscribe, what's the compelling value for you? (Not that $100/yr is significant digits in this game...)


    A bunch of the more analytical modules and statistics. For example the PMC.
  • russGrussG
    K - never used a PMC - time to read the Hunter Allen paper on this ...
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    TP is a much better product than Garmin Connect. Just last week one of my friends was attempting some interval rides, hit the wrong buttons, left the watch on, and in general made a (technology) mess of the workout. Uploaded to Garmin Connect and there was no way to fix anything. I had them export the ride to me, I uploaded it to TP, deleted the wrong laps, created new ones, cut of the part of the ride where the watch was left on. Really, really simple.

    I've used WKO, free TP, Golden Cheetah and a few other things along the way. I've settled on the paid subscription to TP.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Of what's out there, I agree with Tom that the paid TP is the best signle solution. All the analytics are there.

    That said, I personally find its navigation and graphics so wonky that I also just log things on to GC (zero effort after all) and use that to just show a workout to someone and often use Golden Cheetah if I really want to look at a particular ride in detail.

    But I'm neurotic. TP Premium is a good product and does everything you want/need. A major shortcoming of Garmin is the total inability to post-ride (or run) define splits....so you can't analyze anything you didn't hit exaclyt with the lap buttons.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I am a nerd. I use Garmin Connect, Strava and TrainingPeaks.com for every ride, run and swim. I have been using GC for over 6 years and it is just a good place to store info that I think will be there forever. Also, the high end Forerunner watches and the new Garmin 510 load the data to GC automatically. I just go in and label the name of the workout.

    My Garmin 510 will bluetooth the ride to my phone. My phone then loads the ride to GC while I am still standing in my driveway catching my breath. I just hit end ride and it automatically uploads. No ANT+ stick or anything. From there I go to GC and then download the .TCX file. I take said file and then drop it into the TP agent and upload to Strava. It takes seconds....

    So, why choose? Use all three... image
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    • Garmin Connect —> Ride nostalgia
    • Strava —> Whose is bigger
    • Training Peaks —> Analytical training
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Anyone know the ETA for the Mac version of Training Peaks?
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    @Cary. Perfect
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    @cary - I disagree on the Strava thing to a degree. Sure there is the KOM measuring contest, but I love that it automatically times and ranks all my segments.
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    @Dino, it was just a snarky generalization, I couldn't help myself. Both Strava and GC do have value in other ways, I just chose not to recognize them.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I was a little hot yesterday. I actually flagged a guy for taking my run CR that was obviously on a bike (2 miles in 6 minutes). I tried to explain the thing in detail to my wife over dinner. She quietly starred at me while I spoke and then when I finished, she seriously asked me I was 12 years old.

    Appearently, I have crossed over and am now a major geek....
  • benvanmarckebenvanmarcke

    Posted By Dino Sarti on 03 Mar 2013 09:55 AM


    I was a little hot yesterday. I actually flagged a guy for taking my run CR that was obviously on a bike (2 miles in 6 minutes). I tried to explain the thing in detail to my wife over dinner. She quietly starred at me while I spoke and then when I finished, she seriously asked me I was 12 years old.



    Appearently, I have crossed over and am now a major geek....

    Funny, I saw your post on the dashboard, and agreed with your wife 

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    haha! image

  • Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown
    So training Peaks does not work on Mac? well i guess that answers my questions. image i only have Macs.
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco

    Posted By Jonathan Brown on 04 Mar 2013 08:41 AM


    So training Peaks does not work on Mac? well i guess that answers my questions. i only have Macs.

    The Training Peaks website http://trainingpeaks.com is platform agnostic. The Desktop software WKO+ (formerly Cycling Peaks) is Windows only, although they've promised an OS X version Real Soon Now™ (I wouldn't hold my breath).

    Most folks here that use Mac Computers either:

    • Run Parallels, VMware Fusion, Boot Camp or Virtual Box to get WKO+ on Windows running on their Mac.
    • Get an old clunker PC/Netbook for WKO+
    • Use the web version at trainingpeaks.com - it's improving all the time
    • Use Golden Cheetah or CycleOps PowerAgent

     

     

  • benvanmarckebenvanmarcke
    Running WKO+ on a Mac is a bit of an investment, or you need to know what you are doing. I ended up buying parallels and buying windows, I hate computers and understand ZERO computer lingo but it was easy to install. Been running WKO+ on my macbook for about 4 years now, never had a problem.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    If you can wait (perhaps indefinitely), they have promised a WKO+ for Mac (native). No date promise.
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