Since the inception of Magic Buckets, Iāve been using outside without any structured workouts loaded but just āusing my gutā on interval & recovery intensity/duration. I suspect moving forward, my gains will be more efficient if I start following the suggested workouts. Havenāt decided if Iāll use the EBC player on my Garmin or just import them into the native Garmin player.
Good poll. I donāt like faff / messing about with tech so just do the āWorkout Readyā option on iphone looking at graph/numbers on the App. Iāve also got it set up so the next workout automatically goes to MyWhoosh calender each day so Iāll do some workouts like thatā¦you sometimes need to look at more than a graph especially on easier workouts. Tried the players but I dnāt really get those at all. Would love to try Magic Buckets but I have a Wahoo head unit. Worth swapping for a Garmin?
@SebringCycling The Garmin workout player isnāt up to par with EBC features.
Itās an early programming effort to demonstrate what was possible with a Connect IQ app. In particular, control a trainer and support SMART workouts. Itās not really suitable for outdoor rides.
Youād be better off using the Magic Buckets generator tab to create a simple workout, save it, send to Garmin Connect, and use the native Garmin workout player to execute that workout when ready during a ride.
Or nix those steps and rely on XMB instead (my vote). No need to select a workout. Just head out the door and ride.
XMB provides SMART workout functionality outdoors or indoors.
The workout can be as structured and disciplined as your route allows, IRL or on a SIM.
The app dynamically adjusts depending on your execution.
Way back when Scott demonstrated on their YT channel how to use Xertās Connect IQ data fields to add structure your outdoor rides.
XMB encapsulates and streamlines that process ā and gamifies it ā so anyone can meet their strain goal for the day regardless of where they ride.
@IanJackson Those with an iPhone and non-Garmin head unit could try XMB by sourcing a used or refurbished Android phone. Thatās the least expensive option including free from someone you may know whoās upgraded their Android phone and is recycling/donating their old one. Or itās sitting in a drawer.
This will allow you to try XMB indoors by running EBC without selecting a workout and riding in Slope mode on your trainer.
Riding XMB indoors is also the easiest way to experiment and learn how it works. If you like the concept, consider migrating to a Garmin or Karoo head unit.
I used the Wahoo weeks error as an excuse to switch to Garmin and XMB for outdoor rides is worth it for me. I have now gone to XMB for indoor (on slope mode) while reading a book. I will rarely be doing structured workouts in the future.
Just start a session without selecting a structured workout. Itās not intuitive and I was just using my Garmin in Indoor mode until I figured it out.
I use continuous improvement and modify the improvement rate throughout the year. I saw as good of improvements this using XMB as I did using the structured workouts.
Indoor, it is nice to be able to go for a breakthrough on the last interval if I am feeling good, which isnāt possible in ERG mode (at least not on an easier workout).
I love not having to choose between a structured workout and a group ride. Thanks to XMB I can do both. Sometimes I hit a couple of hard ints riding to the meetup, sometimes I do an extra long pull at the end of the group ride or do a couple intervals to finish up riding home.
