We’ve made some key changes and improvements to how our SMART workouts get converted into regular workouts that you perform on other systems. Workouts with variable power intervals (XSSR intervals for those that are familiar with unique Xert feature) get better converted now making them easier to complete on other system when imported. For example. SMART - Closer 150 looks like this on Xert:
Note how the previous conversion used the same start and end power values which ended up making the workout harder and with more XSS overall. With the new conversion method, the start and end power targets change to allow the XSS values line up more closely with the existing workout on Xert making the workout easier to do and better for your training.
FYI, if you have the workout already loaded on Zwift, you may need to remove it first before Zwift updates the definition. Use the Zwift Sync page to Unschedule it first and the send it again. Cheers.
Excellent, thank you. One day after my very hard SMART Closer 150 workout on MyWhoosh, which I messaged about. Is this just a coincidence /planned anyway or did my message influence the change? Either way a great improvement. Not sure I’ll be trying it again any time soon for fear of flash-backs to the MAXIMAL EFFORT TIMES of 9 minutes and a 4.5 DIFFICULTY RATING
That’s funny because I also recently completely failed one of the Closer workouts. This change at least gives me a fighting chance. I’ve always struggled with intensity though, even using Xert EBC for full SMART workouts. I think I need the SMARTer workouts that realize my weakness is real and takes baby steps…
I hear you Brian. I’m determined to follow my Xert-generated schedule to prep for my typical gravel race in April. This means doing more Xert workouts on Zwift—yesterday I did MachineHead. But, boy, I’m always afraid when I see a hard workout scheduled as the Xert workouts ARE hard—the system knows just how to push you to the limit. (The MPA model works!) I’m 59 and just don’t feel often to be pushed to the limit
Hi, good to see improvements for that even though imo curvilinear and linear intervals are not the same. I would have preferred a solution to simulate the curves with chained ramps like this GitHub - Feavy/xert-zwift-curvilinear to stick more to the intended workout. As an option maybe?
Thanks, looking forward to testing this on Rouvy. Will I have to make sure that estimated Threshold Power in Xert and FTP in Rouvy are always set to identical values (thus, readjusting Rouvy setting continously)?
I’ve always wondered why they didn’t just do a curve fit like this. At first I figured it was because they thought nobody really used Zwift anyway. When that turned out to be obviously not be the case (when they added ZWO file exports), I thought it was because they were hopeful they could convince Zwift to add support for ramped curves or, even better, SMART workouts.
I’ve manually done this myself just messing around in the past but obviously automating the process is really cool. Even better adding a one-click solution to Xert web pages!
Hi, how do imported SMART workouts work in Zwift? Do they adapt during the workout, or do they stay the same the whole time?
Also, does the adaptation in SMART workouts only work in Mixed Mode? I’m not sure I’m understanding that correctly.
I run the SMART workout through the Xert EBC app on iOS and let it control the ride in Zwift (I have trainer control turned off in Zwift). On the trainer I’m using virtual shifting because I have a Zwift Cog. Do SMART workouts still work with this setup?
And what exactly does a SMART workout offer compared to workouts that aren’t SMART?
These two articles detail how SMART intervals differ, why they work better than %FTP for both work and rest intervals, and how they scale to an individual’s fitness signature.
One type of SMART interval (dynamic) is adaptive, but there are many others not anchored on %FTP.
SMART workouts synced to Zwift are dumbed down and converted to %FTP blocks.
If the workout included any dynamic intervals, they are not adaptive on Zwift.
If you want the full benefits of SMART intervals you need to run them on EBC.
MIXEDMODE refers to workouts that automatically switch to Slope mode on EBC with targets watts under your control (gears/cadence). This is usually a high watt interval where the goal is a max effort for X seconds. On Zwift you’ll get a relative target in that range, but you don’t have the opportunity to exceed the target like you would on EBC.
I don’t have a COG with virtual shifting so can’t comment on how well that works. I’ll leave that to others to chime in.
