Hi
I thought i’d add my experience and thoughts on Xert as a user for 7 months now for anyone out there that is thinking of it.
Reason i joined
I wanted to have a training platform that would schedule workouts for me in a planned process, look at my past data for analysis, plan around my life availability and adjust my workouts as needed. I also wanted the workouts to sync to Zwift as i mostly train indoors during the week.
I’ve had a coach before but found that what i hoped would be a more personal experience wasn’t really there, nor did i feel like it was being pushed as hard as i’d like on the bike. Something i hoped a machine learning algorithm could do looking at my data.
I also have used trainingpeaks in past, it’s a great platform for coached athletes and it sync’s to zwift. I have my own workouts but i wanted something that would look at my data and hopefully analyze and adjust better than i could as i think it’s habitual to not want to change things at times.
I’ve used trainerroad before but at the time it didn’t have the AI system and when i joined xert it didn’t sync to zwift. I found the TR workouts (prior it’s AI), to not factor for my power curve and using %of FTP isn’t a one size fits all as on shorter intervals, those with a more punchy power curve wont be pushed as hard.
So when i looked, Xert claimed AI smarts, synced to Zwift, and didn’t cost me as much as TR and about same as TP. Seemed like it was worth a punt. Worst cast i load my workouts into it and use it’s calander system to schedule workouts to Zwift, best case it works like i hoped.
Experience
I set an ambitious target in the the system over a 6 month block. It told me i was dreaming but heck lets see what happens, the gains xert told me i could get reasonably was something i could do on my own, so i pushed the envelope a little but not quite at impossible.
It came up with a plan that seemed to be largely base loaded for a long block, and at first i was like this is too easy but lets see. Life got in the way (work travels, sickness, busy etc) so i didn’t complete the hrs i planned for the first while.
Past 3-4 months i’ve been allot better run with availability etc, i’ve been largely doing the workouts its prescribed. At first the workouts were a bit easy and long, then getting a little harder but still long. Last 2 months it’s been introducing harder workouts, initially they f’d me up a bit, then the ones that use be very hard became a little easier to complete, now it’s throwing me some stuff i’m looking at and thinking ouch but i still can complete them (basically i got fitter).
I did the zwift grade recently and pulled some good numbers for me and really didn’t feel out of my depth at all (i.e i had more in the tank to give). long short is Xert has in a protracted process gotten me in a pretty good shape and i feel quite good on the bike of late. Quite happy
What it differs to what i did for self training was i would build intervals to test a power vs duration repeatably for my hard workouts (i.e. 5mins x 7, or 20mins x 3 etc), it seemed to do these more sparingly and focus on more varied workouts. In above point, i believe if i targeted set power/duration numbers today, i would PB or do very close at moment and i haven’t had to train that way using xert.
What it does exceptionally well is gradually week by week slowly increase the required power numbers, shift focus and adjust workout type so that you’re continually improving as needed.
Positives
Once setup and use to it’s interface on the web browser. It’s a very easy platform to use and it works. I feel great on the bike and i’m happy with how i’ve progressed this year. I’ve still had to do the work on the bike but i feel like it was a more focused approach. Key point here, I’ve still had to do the work on the bike.
It’s a long game platform, i’m a little surprised by how well it’s done to get me into shape just before i need to be for my main event of the year.
It seems to have taken my past data of cycling power numbers and created curated workouts just for me where they meet their intent and don’t over or under do it.
I’ve already really enjoyed the variety of workouts and the “lottery” of what workout am i getting today.
Improvements to be made or not tested by me
I wish it had a better iphone app. It could do with more features and especially analytical data review post workout than deferring to the website.
I’m not clear how it goes with building around multiple events for the year. I’m sure others have looked into this. I only care about one main event per year.
I think it’s power curve can be a little optimistic in the shorter power duration areas, and should leverage more to PB’s of past data to provide a more realistic power curve, that said it never gave me a 1 min workout etc that was truly impossible and some short intervals have had me completely out of breath.
I’ve not tested its outdoors workouts and intervals, I’m sure it would work well but i largely focus on zwift.
Will I renew my subscription
Yes, 100%. to me it ticks all the boxes for what i want. It’s gives me the ability to self coach within a informed environment, provides variability and works with Zwift very well. Plus it’s doesn’t cost as much as it’s competitors.
I’m surprised Xert doesn’t get as much publicity as some other platforms given how it performs, price, from my impression generally being innovative and how it’s focused on just being a training tool for cyclists.
Note that you still have to do the work on the bike to get good results.