[Closed] How much do you spend on training apps and are they any good?

Only training related App I pay for is Strava pro account thing, which probably isn't really worth it over the free version.

Non App stuff, I've paid for Gymnastics Bodies courses (wouldn't recommend) and Garage Gym Girls courses (would recommend).

Nothing, I'm a cheapskate. I use Strava (for riding and some running), and the free version is great. And I use the free app that came with my bike trainer, which is garbage.

I'm wondering about Zwift or Peloton or another of those paid-for bike trainer apps, but they seem expensive for what they offer

but they seem expensive for what they offer

This is what I'm wondering.  I resent that most things are subscription these days but against that it's quite easy to burn 10eur/month on stuff that won't improve you at all and I'm wondering if some of these apps do

I pay for Strava and think it’s reasonable value.
I’ve paid for Zwift in the past and would again if I was using the bike more. Again, I think it’s good value for why it is.

Been using TrainerRoad for years now. I originally used it to make sufferfest vids more interactive but now it's my main training/planning app. It helps that they've got a good calendar and lots of ways of sorting your training. The outside workouts are good too.

Have previously used TrainingPeaks and Strava Premium but don't see the need for them now.

Would be interested in some sort of core strength thing - kind of hope something comes up here to take my fancy.

This was on the guardian today:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/02/writers-try-10-big-fitness-apps-weightlifting-pilates?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

yep, that's what got me thinking about it

Just binned off Trainerroad as too many of the plans seem to insist on workouts being 75+ mins now. Trying Xert at the moment, not quite as user friendly at first, but certainly an interesting way of doing things as it actually adjusts to your performance during the workout.

Oh, and it’s $9.99/month rather than $19.99

I pay for Zwift, previously paid for Sufferfest. For me it’s more than worth it. I take my riding and fitness fairly seriously and do at least 3 Zwift sessions a week.
It works out cheaper than gym membership that I previously paid for.
I use Zwift for training plans and also racing. Sufferfest was great but fancied a change.

Would be interested in some sort of core strength thing – kind of hope something comes up here to take my fancy.

What do you mean by core strength e.g. work to a dragon flag then onto side lever and front lever etc or just a few conditioning exercises? NB You get core training for free in most full body weight exercises eg Squats and deadlifts...

I have Polar bike computers which sync with the Polar Flow web app (free). That in turn syncs with Training Peaks (free version). That version doesn't do Performance Management charts but there are spreadsheets available on line which do it just by inputting daily TSS from Training Peaks. I also got a couple of British Cycling training plans free through Training Peaks. All more than enough for a slowoldman to monitor his performance (and hopefully improvement).

All more than enough for a slowoldman to monitor his performance

For monitoring performance I can just sling data into something like Golden Cheetah but I was hoping that some of the apps might offer a bit more.  I can see that Strava might be motivating and it looks quite interesting but I was really wondering if folks were using other stuff e.g. yoga apps, strength building apps in addition to the stuff that came with their devices.  Always thought that sufferfest looked quite fun (if I had some sort of indoor trainer of course)

Zwift in winter (extended from August this time around) until around end of March, for the erg training sessions and races plus ease of doing some exercise during the short daylight months.
£13pcm.

Strava Analysis pack for Live Segments on Lezyne Super GPS and power info.
£19 for 12 months.

As freebies, I also use
https://cricklesorg.wordpress.com/
https://power-meter.cc/home
https://thomaschampagne.github.io/elevate/#/landing
https://www.rgtcycling.com/

I also use XERT and found it to be the best value as it provides a training diary and power training programs in one “app”. I just look at app and it recommends cycle workout based on how much training I have been doing. If I have done a hard week it will recommend an easier workout but at the same time makes sure the overall training load is increasing progressively. Also the adaptive trainer advisor worked really well for keeping track of training load and making sure I didn’t ramp it up too fast. Finally really useful extra data fields for the Garmin. Need a PM to make it worthwhile though,

Sufferfest @ $99 per year. Very good value for the amount of sessions you get - now including strength, mental training, and yoga.

I’ve Just switched to using this on its own now, at least 5 sessions a week so good value for me.

I use Rouvy for the turbo trainer. $120 for 12 months. Has an absolutely massive library of video routes which is expanding all the time. Loads of new UK routes on there now.

Also has various workouts and other training stuff although certainly nowhere near the level of Trainerroad for structured training.

I use jefit for recording gym stuff, weights and cardio. It's free but there is a paid for premium option. It's quite simple but very effective.

I'm another Sufferfest subscriber, not a huge turbo fan but it makes it bearable. (In fact just done one of their sessions...) It also has weight and yoga stuff, I did some of the latter last year which was entertaining enough.

I've also got Strava Summit, but I'll probably drop that soonish as all the information I need is available for free on Garmin Connect. In fact it's better on GC, as it has lap information which isn't shown on Strava.

Sufferfest @£10pcm. I actually prefer Trainerroad programmes as I too much hit stuff, I prefer steady state or up and overs (have cracked a bike on the turbo doing max intervals) however the yoga and strength are superb.

Also have strata premium, but tbh I don’t really use the extra features.

And a gym membership. Sometimes use sufferfest whils5 at th3 gym

I don't understand why anyone would bother with such nonsense, only a good personal trainer would know what's best for you personally and once you have a gist of what's needed they are then redundant.
The definition of fitness is to be average at everything, professional sport has nothing to do with fitness.
The only two exercises you need to do are Burpees and the Turkish Getup, but hey no-one does these because they are TOO TOUGH and not anywhere near as sexy as running and bicep curls.

I'm considering getting a whoop which is 25 euros a month, I like data and it will be interesting to see how much these long stints at work are ruining me.

I don’t understand why anyone would bother with such nonsense

Partly because they can be motivational.  Yes there is a fair amount of documenting your own mediocrity and yes a personal trainer really is the best way to get properly fit as they can identify what is holding each individual back, but for the rest of us it can be a good way of avoiding stagnation

and it might be fun

and you might learn something new.  I'm enjoying the 'yoga with adrienne' stuff and that is something that I wouldn't have considered going to a course to do before.

I use Xert as well. My second winter of training on that platform. I like the fact that it adapts your training plans if you decide to do a social ride with your mates. All of the workouts can be exported into Zwift and if you run the workouts from the app they have 'Smart' functionality and will automatically adjust the load depending on your performance. I came into our club track sessions last April fitter than I'd ever been and in the first session set my fastest lap, two laps, 5K and 10K so the proof was in the pudding.

Drink less alcohol

Eat less processed food and meat and more fruit and vegetables.

Get enough sleep (aim for 8-9 hours)

Walk more (aim for 4-5 miles daily throughout the day)

Do exercise you enjoy, preferably outdoors (it doesn't matter how much you do, just do something)

If I wrote an app that reminded you on a daily basis of these "life changing hacks" , how much could I flog it for, dyou think ?

The only two exercises you need to do are Burpees and the Turkish Getup, but hey no-one does these because they are TOO TOUGH and not anywhere near as sexy as running and bicep curls.

Turkish Getup has to be one of the dullest exercises out there, and certainly nothing special. Burpees are hard, but nothing special either.

mashr, you can shorten the length of longer trainer road workouts down to 1 hour if you want to

The only two exercises you need to do are Burpees and the Turkish Getup, but hey no-one does these because they are TOO TOUGH and not anywhere near as sexy as running and bicep curls.

sounds like an awesomely motivating regime you have there.

did you learn that in the gulag ? i suspect the reason no one just does those exercises is because variety is the spice of life.

I have been trying kinomap for a few days, seems very "beta" compared to zwift or sufferfest.

never even looked at strava before, ive seen all the little maps of runs and bike rides mates have uploaded to facebook. i think thats whats put me off, id want to just look back at what id done for my own knowledge, not share it.

can it do that? can you just stick your phone in a back pocket, go for a bike ride, then see where youve been afterwards? id never be bothered with owt like that normally, but after a good couple of years off the bike through apathy (no decent riding from my doorstep), im wondering whether i need something like that to give me a bit of a push.

ta

id want to just look back at what id done for my own knowledge, not share it.

Yeah. Set to private. Don’t link any socials up. Largely how I use it, just have certain things not private and just shared with followers (mates).

Keep training app. It's on Android, probably apple as well. It's free! Bit of an annoying voice, but loads of plans and it calenderises(not a real word) the workouts.

Mainly bodyweight with a sprinkling of dumbells.

The only two exercises you need to do are Burpees and the Turkish Getup

Will they make me a better cyclist?

Yeah. Set to private. Don’t link any socials up. Largely how I use it, just have certain things not private and just shared with followers (mates).

just downloaded it and i think its set to private. i spose you just start it up before running/cycling and then knock it off when you get back then? easy as that? may be a silly question but do you need your gps on, or is it close enough without?

thanks

Will they make me a better cyclist?

Absolutely.

If you don't die of boredom.

I don't deny they are goodexercises but to say it's all you need is wrong unless your ex forces and prepared to be bored for an hour a day doing the same repetitive things over and over.

They are all useless...unless you have a specific goal in mind. If all you want to do is to maintain a level of general fitness then just do more exercise full stop - doesn't matter what, just get out there. But if you have a goal in mind then a structured training programme is helpful..probably essential. I paid for Zwift last year for a few months to specifically train for the etape du tour (they had a specific structured training programme for that event) and it was money well spent as it focused my training and provided me with interim goals and enabled me to track progress which did wonders for my mental state (just as important as your physical condition). But now i've not got any specific goal in mind i've ceased paying the subscription and just focusing on doing as much exercise as possible. Once I've decided on another goal I'll sign up for another subscription.

So don't waste your money unless you have a specific goal in mind.

What do you mean by core strength

Bodyweight stuff I can do at home before bed, basically. I've been using the Tom Danielson book for a few years with good effect, but am getting a bit bored of it.

Would love to use weights in the gym again but can't realistically carve the time to do so.

Was on Grandfather rate for TrainerRoad but honestly got a bit bored of it after a few years so moved over to Zwift, £13

I have an account at TrainerDay/ErgDB for recreating plans and workouts based on my historical data, that’s free.

Pay for TrainingPeaks premium annually with BC discount, can’t remember how much but something like £70? I bought WKO4 a while back too.

Strava is just a social app so don’t bother with premium, didn’t get on with Xert.

carve time

Not letting that one slide.

Carve time ! Do you touch base also ?

@sadexpunk

i spose you just start it up before running/cycling and then knock it off when you get back then? easy as that? may be a silly question but do you need your gps on, or is it close enough without?

Yeah, you start it up just before heading off, then stop it when you finish. Or more likely: forget to stop it when you get to your car, and realise you've got a track including 5 miles of the M1 🙂

And yeah, it needs the GPS running. Modern smartphones don't actually use that much battery with the GPS, nothing like 5 years ago.

And finally double-check the privacy settings - like all social apps built in Silicon Valley it's not to be trusted "out of the box", I don't think it's anything like as bad as Facebook but I still don't trust it to default to secure.