I’m just a weekend warrior (who am I kidding?) who wants to keep their modest mediocre fitness going as the clock ticks away. I came to the Wahoo platform after my two previous and second hand dumb and then smart trainers died. I decided after much deliberation to try Wahoo, as I had read on other forums of the legend of the Sufferfest and all that came with it. I got a basic Kickr about 18 months ago and signed up to the Systm platform.
What I’ve liked: Having pre-set programmes I don’t have to type manually into my Garmin. Some really engaging videos. The utter cheese of the Sufferfests. What larks, and just great to ride along with the pros. Using the Yoga program and the Fitness workouts to work on flexibility and strength.
What has come to disappoint: The loss of the Sufferfest video format. I’ve just ridden the update updated updated Recharger, and much though Mike Cotty seems a sweet guy and all, I’m not really enjoying following him up a climb. Or down a climb, when the instructions are for up a climb. The instructions are gone, and the edits are pretty garbage as towards the end of the workout there’s a 100rpm bit that immediately goes to 80 rpm. ??
The 4DP is just not really for me. I have done the Full and Half monty’s a few times over the 18 months and there always seems to be a point after it when I choose an improvement programme that just does not work. I don’t understand that the workouts recommended then become un-doable. Or maybe I am just not good at pacing…Who knows.
I’ve used the turbo for years, and am one of those nuts that quite likes it - it means I don’t die on the roads round here for a start. The garage wall is nice enough. It gets me fit for the summer when the sun comes out and I can enjoy the world. I’m also pretty ok at finding programmes that work for me and see improvement in my fitness. The Garmin tells me all that. There’s plenty of free videos on You Tube that don’t have annoying music and some bloke who doesn’t really inspire you to ride always just ahead of you.
So, I’m going to let this subscription run out. It won’t be till August, but if all I am getting is views of somebody else riding up a mountain, along with the training programme I’ll go back to writing my own and save the moolah for other things.
It was nice while it lasted, and I’m not embedded enough to care, and I certainly won’t be going over the Zwift. As the meme says…Uh Oh, People.
Don’t give up just yet @MarjMJ . While the platform has been de-SUF’ed by the corporate Wahoo there is still so many good videos and workouts that have not been ruined.
I’m just coming up for the last week of a 10 week old SUF plan and it is brilliant. MY fitness has gone through the roof with this plan and not a dull video in sight! Happy to share if you’d like?
This plan reignited my enthusiasm for SUF (not the Wahoo additions which I find very dull).
Also, the original Recharger has been restored so give it a go!
We all have to choose what works for us… It’s just a matter of taste and coming to grips with what yours are. I really like SYSTM, but I’m pretty sure it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
The SYSTM library has a lot more than this, though. Sir @michael.cotty ’s On Location are great if you like that format (similarly “A week with .. “ series), but if that’s not your cup of tea, other formats exist.
if you mention what you want to see when doing videos perhaps we can give you some pointers.
Ultimately, the entire concept of Sufferfest is “views of somebody else riding”, as I can’t think of an entire “first person” video.
Try Rouvy, workouts, training programs, customised ones too, real road footage/gravel etc, challenges, stacks of routes (being added to all the time), download workouts from other platforms (i have downloaded tons of my old Zwift ones that I can now ride without the cartoon graphics, create your own and pick and route you want to add to it, the ability to record your own routes if thats your thing and post them on line. the list goes on.. one things for sure you wont get bored on this platform… and cheaper than Systm.
I want to see content that is matched with the actual programme you are doing. Sometimes the workout is asking you to turn yourself inside out, or cadence changes, but the videos don’t reflect that. If the content can’t match the required/asked for effort I might as do my own things for free.
Edit: For example I don’t mind rewatching something gentle and scenic, if the workout is a Zone 2 that’s 30 minutes of gentle pootle. But if it is intervals or cadence stuff, I want to see content that will motivate me to push up a hill.
On a slightly amusing note, the fact that the last video I watched was following Mike Cotty up a col was just a little too much like IRL. The bugger is always just up the road, never catchable, and always in a better state than you are
True. Again a fair point. I like the idea that there are pre-made workouts, and what look like well put together programmes. I like the idea that the fitness test sets you up to choose appropriate programmes and you can target specific area whether that is endurance or speed.
Cheers. I’ve done Cash Register a few times, and I remember doing the Shovel. - might die if I do Nine Hammers though
As another thought, it could also be because I have relied on the Plan maker choosing me workouts. It sees the weedy numbers and gets the bike with the basket on the front out.
“Ultimately, the entire concept of Sufferfest is “views of somebody else riding”, as I can’t think of an entire “first person” video…”
Some of the “pro rides” are at least mostly 1st person. For me, the variety is what keeps me paying for SYSTM. Inspiration has a few movies that are good. I like the current collection of Sufferfests. Some of the on-locations are good for a couple of watches (e.g., Cygnet/Tasmania) Can just slap on a no-vid and turn on a youtube or podcast or just music. And any of these can just be turned “off” to just give the power-based workout. For me there’s enough variety and ways to get training without having to risk my bum on the road b/c being in my 60s I just don’t heal as fast anymore…
I can absolutely see the advantage/fun of having one or two other platforms like Rouvy to mix it up even more, but I am just too cheap to double- or triple-up.
I subscribe to both SYSTM and FulGaz, despite the extra cost, because I find a mix of structured workouts and first-person reactive simulation rides to be ideal for keeping me motivated. I have a tendency to be a bit lazy when pedaling harder doesn’t make the footage move faster, so my FTP and MAP numbers are probably underestimated in SYSTM - with nothing and nobody to pace me, I consistently ride daily simulation workouts at an IF of 0.9 and higher, even if I’m feeling a bit off.
But no matter how I feel, there is a SYSTM workout that has an effort profile that feels right and is engaging. I don’t do many of the On Location rides more than once or twice, but some of the Tasmania and Portugal workouts are among the ones I have ridden most. Variety is good.
I cant seem to upload the file here but here is a link to the 10 week INtermediate plan. Thi sis the first plan I’ve had the motivation to finish in 4 years or so. I so enjoyed this and it had all the humor and storylines that reminded me of just how creative and special the previous management were.
