I have a powertap and have just started collecting data. 4 rides in the last week.
I don’t mind the software that came with it.
I have bought the training with power book, still to understand it.
For those that have WKO+, what’s the best bit about it? What do you love about it?
Sell the idea to me.
WKO+ will calculate various metrics described in the book, such as Normalized Power, TSS, VI that other programs won’t calculate (as far as I know). Also, it will create performance management charts that use TSS to show ATL, CTL, and TSS, which are interesting for tracking your load over time. It will do most of this for the run too if you have a Garmin running watch.
Also- WKO lets you track all your training- running, swimming, and lets you track performances wiht a LOT more sophistication. I personally love it.
I purchased the WKO+ just a week or so ago after using the PowerAgent software for about a month or so and it is a BIG step up.
I didnt know until JUST now that I could pull in all of my Garmin files from my running, mt. bike, paddling, etc. WOW!! Glad that you posted that! Just moved up a few more levels for me! Awesome!
There is also a free download/trial version(same install if you decide to purchase) that you can “test” out to see if you like it. Just export/import and you are up and running with your data you have collected so far.
The PMC chart alone makes WKO+ worth the cost. The PMC uses your PowerTap data to quantify the training stress you are putting on your body (relative to your current training volume and intensity). The chart alone is like an extra coach that is giving you an added perspective on your training stress load. This doesn’t mean it’s not important to still listen to your body, it’s just another frame of reference that helps a lot, IHMO of course. The power profiling chart can also be hugely motivating for tracking your improvement over time.
So, I’ own two power meters but no WKO+. I really should just pay the $100, but at the same time, I’d genuinely like the experience of trying to roll my own data in Excel spreadsheets or otherwise. That would be a great teaching example to see where these things are coming from.
A guy who used to be on my team developed a program called Golden Cheetah, maybe you can take a look at that. I’ve also played with OldManBiking’s plugins for SportTracks. I still have yet to find a program that deals with GPS and power data together in a really useful, easy format.
Um yeah, you have found it- wko- it does it all. Seriously, once you have tried it, you will laugh at yourself for fiddling around in excel.
Just this AM i made a chart that tracked, for each of the past 18 months, what my fast 1 mile, 5k, and 10k were running, regardless of what portion of a race it was in (ie you can set that month’s 5k record during a half marathon). It took 5 mins. Try doing that in your excel file.
It really is that good. Just man up and buy it.
BTW- i have ZERO financial links with WKO/trainingpeaks. Just killer products.
power agent blows for a lot of the reasons mentioned by others. Wko plus is pretty much the standard and tends to be where the numbers came from whenever anyone is talking about power files here and elsewhere. The Race Day software is newer and while I have never used it I have heard some good things.
You spent the money on the PT, now spend a little more to buy the software that will really let you use it.
To both buy the software and put the PT to good use
check out www.endurancenation.us
Another question
Can I use it on 2 pc’s at the same time BUT copy the files I download to both.
I have a PC at work and another one at home. I’d like to access all files from both locations.
I do the same with my polar watch.
oh yeah will my polar downloads work with it too?
That is what I thought I would do but there are additional fees (reduced but still more) to run it on multiple machines. I figured that I only need to do my analysis and planning at home and spend the triathlon time at the office on the ST forum.
I use sport tracks (zonefivesoftware.com) with the power plugin. It is free and can produce SIMILAR results. I read the WKO+ outputs every week from guys I train with. I will stick with my free software for now. WKO does have a few outputs that I wish I had. TSS weekly graph is one thing I wish I had.