Training with CompuTrainer

tri.bassett

How do people normally use a CT for planned EN workouts?  Do you just plug in a random course and ride the plan, maintaining power output as described?  Build a custom ERG file for the workout?  Random ERG mode?  

Peter Greagg

Hi Greg
Most of us with CTs use them with an custom ERG file so you don't have any option, you either do the planned work or you stop peddaling. I use Cycling Peaks ERG 2+ software to build each interval set. BTW, I use the CT for intervals all year round.
I think WSM Matt S uses the CT head unit to adjust the power in the interval itself, rather than a preprogramed one — Matt may chime in here?

Cheers
Peter

David Ambrose

I love erg files for the EN workouts; forces me to keep pedaling and finish the workout as designed or jump off the bike and hide as a wanna-bee

afrost

I do what Matt S. reportedly does too. I just push the CT controller buttons to raise and lower watts throughout the workout as specified. Very simple. Works for me as a non-techy type person!

---Ann.

tri.bassett

Thanks for all the great feedback. Are there any example ERG files available on the EN site that members have uploaded that someone new to power (like moi) could review? I'm assuming that any would need to be adjusted as each person's FTP will be slightly/widely different than any others...

Al Truscott

Greg - creating the ERG files is incredibly easy (it's basically all point and click stuff, noprogramming involved) if you purchase the "CyclingPeaks Erg+"  program from TrainingPeaks. I have four basic files I created - a warm-up, a cool down, an FTP template, and a VO2max template. Then, before a CT workout, it takes me about a minute to alter the main set workout for that day. I sequentially load the ERG file into the Coach CS computrainer software, and off I go.

Posting a copy of the file would require you have the program to read and modify it for your power levels. Having spent $1500 for the CT, this little program is well worth the $75 or so it costs.

tri.bassett

 Al - thanks for the all the great info.  This is exactly the stuff I'm looking for to help boot-strap my way into effective training with power.