Just got off the phone with a customer. He was extremely positive about ergvideo, an “add-on” for the Computrainer.
Don’t think I have ever seen it discussed here. Thought I would throw it out for any that might be interested.
I must say I am surprised that there hasn’t been one comment from anyone familiar with the product.
There have been a few mentions of the product in the past. I use the product and like it. It’s a great way to get some customized workouts.
It’s a great product, I love them. I’m pretty sure I originally learned about them on this forum. They’ve been discussed quite a bit, generally in the off-season. A search for “ergvideo” gets 13 pages of hits.
Thom
It’s a great product, I love them. I’m pretty sure I originally learned about them on this forum. They’ve been discussed quite a bit, generally in the off-season. A search for “ergvideo” gets 13 pages of hits.
Thom
yep, I have seen them posted about a lot, not recently though.
I’ve been subjected to it. I liked it a lot - - found it very challenging even when I put my max wats to 50% (possibly because the erg video was following a pro cyclist during a crit).
Great workout. Lotsa potential. Anything to make riding on the trainer more bearable is good by me!!
I have a few Ergvideos which I use from time to time to add variety to my indoor training. What I do not like, however, is that the videos may only be unlocked on a single computer. This means that you may not switch computers (unless you get a new unlock key), nor may you sell the videos.
Frank
I really really like ergvideos. They are very adaptable to training on the Computrainer. The erg mode forces you to ride at that power level or get off the bike. For someone like me that works a long day and then wants to come home at night and train, the ergvideos make it easier to get motivated and do the workout. I can set up a hill repeat session and do the intervals at the wattage I want to train at. The videos are entertaining and you really feel like you are on the wheel in front of you on the video. My girlfriend can set up and do the sam evideo at her power levels while I do mine. Best thing developed for Computrainer and much better than the standard course mode. And Paul, the creator of Ergvideos is very helpful for those that might not be computer literate. It’s nice these days to get customer support when yo need it.
So yes I recommend highly.
Andy
Frank
I really really like ergvideos. They are very adaptable to training on the Computrainer. The erg mode forces you to ride at that power level or get off the bike. For someone like me that works a long day and then wants to come home at night and train, the ergvideos make it easier to get motivated and do the workout. I can set up a hill repeat session and do the intervals at the wattage I want to train at. The videos are entertaining and you really feel like you are on the wheel in front of you on the video. My girlfriend can set up and do the sam evideo at her power levels while I do mine. Best thing developed for Computrainer and much better than the standard course mode. And Paul, the creator of Ergvideos is very helpful for those that might not be computer literate. It’s nice these days to get customer support when yo need it.
So yes I recommend highly.
Andy
That is pretty much what my customer said. Using a bunch of different things (PC’s, ergvideos, parametric training technique, and more) he said he had been able to improve his sustainable power from about 180 watts to over 330 watts in about 1 year. With the ergvideos he can get exactly the workout he wants and needs.
wow that is a substantial increase, sounds worth it to me
.
Yep - also learned of them here and have bought a couple myself. Have only used them a handful of times since it wasn’t until May/June before I got them, but will probably use them at least once this weekend while my wife is away and I have the girls by myself and am looking forward to using them over the winter. Definitely helps to keep you engaged and I love how you can dial in the power levels to do exactly what you want.
Frank
I really really like ergvideos. They are very adaptable to training on the Computrainer. The erg mode forces you to ride at that power level or get off the bike. For someone like me that works a long day and then wants to come home at night and train, the ergvideos make it easier to get motivated and do the workout. I can set up a hill repeat session and do the intervals at the wattage I want to train at. The videos are entertaining and you really feel like you are on the wheel in front of you on the video. My girlfriend can set up and do the sam evideo at her power levels while I do mine. Best thing developed for Computrainer and much better than the standard course mode. And Paul, the creator of Ergvideos is very helpful for those that might not be computer literate. It’s nice these days to get customer support when yo need it.
So yes I recommend highly.
Andy
That is pretty much what my customer said. Using a bunch of different things (PC’s, ergvideos, parametric training technique, and more) he said he had been able to improve his sustainable power from about 180 watts to over 330 watts in about 1 year. With the ergvideos he can get exactly the workout he wants and needs.
Hi Frank, thanks for the mention. This is indeed a low-point in the season, so there is indeed very little chatter right now. I take this time to not advertise and not stir things up much. Ya’ll ride outside and spending on advertising now would demonstrate the whole “diminishing returns” thing all too perfectly. I take this time to beaver into developing new content, and it is much work. This year, some cool travelling.
Thanks everyone for the kind responses. Dave Stevenson and I are very proud of the product and we have some cool stuff coming for Sept.
I believe I know who you are talking about, Frank. This gentleman, as I understand, was a naturally gifted athlete before his threshold dropped suddenly due to personal factors as well as a rare medical condition related to his (lack of) lactate production.
I can’t say what his threshold was before, since he had never tested back then, AFAIK. He has been a supporter of ErgVideo for a long time. He sought out expert advice on his condition, and followed it very very carefully. I could never have the patience that this guy HAD to have. He used ErgVideo sessions very effectively to control his progress and follow the rehab & training regimen set forth by his advisor/coach. His coach apparently even spec’d his workouts on ErgVideo, with the tools available (that, or this dude converted coach’s advice with the tools). It was a very long road (ooops, not really a road, but let’s say journey) for him, and from his regular calls and updates, it was hard work and dedication that brought him back.
I’m glad that he used the product in his comeback, and we all believe he is stronger than before. I think it was hard work, smart training, somebody who knew what they were doing in treating him, and his own dedication, that did it. ErgVideo was just the “platform” that entertained and enabled him to not go bonkers. It made working harder, training smarter, and dedicating himself just that much more enjoyable and tolerable. That’s all.
I think.
Oh wait…no, no, I do claim ALL credit. Yeah, that’s the ticket…yeah…ergvideo magic…step right up folks and get yer Watts… 
My best to you Frank, I think we met at LP in 2003 (02??) when I was pushing Erg+ in the RacerMate booth.
Paul Smeulders
www.ergvideo.com
Frank
I really really like ergvideos. They are very adaptable to training on the Computrainer. The erg mode forces you to ride at that power level or get off the bike. For someone like me that works a long day and then wants to come home at night and train, the ergvideos make it easier to get motivated and do the workout. I can set up a hill repeat session and do the intervals at the wattage I want to train at. The videos are entertaining and you really feel like you are on the wheel in front of you on the video. My girlfriend can set up and do the sam evideo at her power levels while I do mine. Best thing developed for Computrainer and much better than the standard course mode. And Paul, the creator of Ergvideos is very helpful for those that might not be computer literate. It’s nice these days to get customer support when yo need it.
So yes I recommend highly.
Andy
That is pretty much what my customer said. Using a bunch of different things (PC’s, ergvideos, parametric training technique, and more) he said he had been able to improve his sustainable power from about 180 watts to over 330 watts in about 1 year. With the ergvideos he can get exactly the workout he wants and needs.
Hi Frank, thanks for the mention. This is indeed a low-point in the season, so there is indeed very little chatter right now. I take this time to not advertise and not stir things up much. Ya’ll ride outside and spending on advertising now would demonstrate the whole “diminishing returns” thing all too perfectly. I take this time to beaver into developing new content, and it is much work. This year, some cool travelling.
Thanks everyone for the kind responses. Dave Stevenson and I are very proud of the product and we have some cool stuff coming for Sept.
I believe I know who you are talking about, Frank. This gentleman, as I understand, was a naturally gifted athlete before his threshold dropped suddenly due to personal factors as well as a rare medical condition related to his (lack of) lactate production.
I can’t say what his threshold was before, since he had never tested back then, AFAIK. He has been a supporter of ErgVideo for a long time. He sought out expert advice on his condition, and followed it very very carefully. I could never have the patience that this guy HAD to have. He used ErgVideo sessions very effectively to control his progress and follow the rehab & training regimen set forth by his advisor/coach. His coach apparently even spec’d his workouts on ErgVideo, with the tools available (that, or this dude converted coach’s advice with the tools). It was a very long road (ooops, not really a road, but let’s say journey) for him, and from his regular calls and updates, it was hard work and dedication that brought him back.
I’m glad that he used the product in his comeback, and we all believe he is stronger than before. I think it was hard work, smart training, somebody who knew what they were doing in treating him, and his own dedication, that did it. ErgVideo was just the “platform” that entertained and enabled him to not go bonkers. It made working harder, training smarter, and dedicating himself just that much more enjoyable and tolerable. That’s all.
I think.
Oh wait…no, no, I do claim ALL credit. Yeah, that’s the ticket…yeah…ergvideo magic…step right up folks and get yer Watts…
My best to you Frank, I think we met at LP in 2003 (02??) when I was pushing Erg+ in the RacerMate booth.
Paul Smeulders
www.ergvideo.com
Yes, I think we are talking the same man. I don’t believe I have ever talked to a person so positive or with such great results in just one year. He was reporting 8 mph speed improvement and going from being dropped on almost every ride to being the strongest on every ride, in his group. He also had a top 20 at the Nationals time-trial in his first try ever. He is aiming for top 10 next time. He was in contact with me to get a second pair of PC’s so he could put them on his TT bike and go exclusive. He was unusual in another way also. He reported he tended to ride his PowerCranks about 5 rpm higher than his regular cranks. Few tell me that.
His improvement was due to many factors. Yes, he had a medical condition that was holding him back that he got resolved. And, he gives us a lot of credit. But he also did a bunch of other things besides your product and PC’s but he was extremely happy with all the things he had done and, added together, he has had a great result. He sounded extremely motivated to see how far he could go. I gave him some additional tips to, hopefully, allow him to get to the next level. We will see how much better this 51 yo man can get. It should be fun to see.
With results like that and his ringing endorsement of your product I thought it deserved a shout out here, since I didn’t ever remember any threads about it.
It’s pretty amusing and more than a little revealing that you didn’t mention the subject’s medical condition when you brought up his power improvement.
Rik
It’s pretty amusing and more than a little revealing that you didn’t mention the subject’s medical condition when you brought up his power improvement.
Rik
oh please don’t turn this into the usual Frank bash. What this fellow was actually up against, himself athletically and the other serious factors I will not mention, would have put most people off sport and training forever, or a darn long time for sure. What he accomplished is still very very remarkable. Perhaps, from one perspective, more so than if he DIDN’T have a medical reason for the initial drop. Essentially, he was first told he’d likely never come back… It wasn’t like his condition was a simple cold or flu. Frank is genuine in his description of the fellow’s personality and gains from a low point in his fitness that was very difficult to break out from.
Paul
Thanks everyone for the kind responses. Dave Stevenson and I are very proud of the product and we have some cool stuff coming for Sept.
C’mon Paul, how about a little hint?
It’s pretty amusing and more than a little revealing that you didn’t mention the subject’s medical condition when you brought up his power improvement.
Rik
oh please don’t turn this into the usual Frank bash. What this fellow was actually up against, himself athletically and the other serious factors I will not mention, would have put most people off sport and training forever, or a darn long time for sure. What he accomplished is still very very remarkable. Perhaps, from one perspective, more so than if he DIDN’T have a medical reason for the initial drop. Essentially, he was first told he’d likely never come back… It wasn’t like his condition was a simple cold or flu. Frank is genuine in his description of the fellow’s personality and gains from a low point in his fitness that was very difficult to break out from.
Paul
Rik just can’t help himself. He has never heard of a documented case of an athlete actually seeing power improvement (that is all he cares about, power) by using my product. He was just relieved he was able to come up with another excuse to deny the PC’s had anything to do with his report. Too bad he hasn’t taken a dislike to your product or you would get a lot more “press” here - might still see that now that Rik is here. This thread could go on for weeks. Expect a sales bump and you can thank Rik, not me. LOL.
Frank mentioned a lot of things that contributed to the power increase from 180 to 330 watts. And the first on the list was his product. And then yours: “PC’s, ergvideos, parametric training technique, and more.”
And now you’re trying to tell me that it’s not amusing or revealing that Frank did not think it necessary to mention that the subject had a serious medical condition that dropped him to that 180 watts figure in the first place?
Oh please, yourself.
Rik
Frank mentioned a lot of things that contributed to the power increase from 180 to 330 watts. And the first on the list was his product. And then yours: “PC’s, ergvideos, parametric training technique, and more.”
And now you’re trying to tell me that it’s not amusing or revealing that Frank did not think it necessary to mention that the subject had a serious medical condition that dropped him to that 180 watts figure in the first place?
Oh please, yourself.
Rik
Rik, you are making an awful lot of assumptions here (as you typically do). But, keep it up. Paul could use the sales (as we all could). LOL
Frank: so you get caught once again spreading what could charitably be called half-truths (i.e. “physicianing” the data). And you think this is good publicity?
You put the “shameless” in shameless self-promotion.
Rik