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Compu(complex)trainer: Can I just train w/the erg display?

patachinpatachin
in General Training Discussions

Right now, I'm out of brainpower and hardware (need another pc) to invest anymore time before my Jan OS start fiddling w/the coaching and virtual course software.  So, until that Video Professor guy from TV comes out w/a DVD to learn me The Computrainer, I would like to just start my OS training with the erg meter.

Is that effective?  Can I just eyeball the watts display when doing  intervals and still get a productive session in?

Thanks for the patience and advice!

John

 

Comments

  • bkcomiskeybkcomiskey

    John:

    As long as you calibrate and adjust your watts/load per the workout at the right times, you will be fine.  You might want to be sure it is easy to see a timer.  Good luck.

     

     

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    To add some discipline to your training, you can use the erg meter (by that I assume you mean the handlebar controller) by itself, in the mode where you manually adjust the CT to provide a constant resistence, say 200 watts. So you have to go at that power or stop.

    Yes, the CT is devilish. The software seems like its from the late 80s/early 90s and the manual was written by engineers, not English majors. Supposedly they are coming out with a 21st century software package this month, but so far, its vaporware. It took me the better part of year to get comfortable with the contraption, and I thought I was relatively savvy with gadgets.

    And for the future, some of us use a combination of the CS coaching software and a Training Peaks programs which allows easy programming of a specific workout, so you don't have to think about what to do during a session - the CT FORCES your to work at the prescribed watts. It's way worth the $80 or so it costs.

  • patachinpatachin

    Thanks guys for the tips.  I'm looking forward to a few pre-OS sessions with it starting Monday.

  • tim cronktim cronk
    Your not alone . I thought it was just me. I call mine the Confuser Trainer. Had I really understood how complicated they were I may have just stuck with my other trainer. I have been doing my workouts in ERG mode and the FTP test on the beginning of IMKY video since its nice and flat.
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