Finding the combination of Athletica’s workout prescriptions, mated to Velocity’s session engine, and mixed with a bit of team comradery and competition unmatched in my experience so far training with cycling platforms.
With Coaches @Marjaana and @Prof (and @SimpleEnduranceCoach, too) driving the sessions, individual interval completion points focuses the efforts—sparking some fun, participate-if-you-wish rivalry in the group—while the overall session compliance score ensures that one doesn’t slack on the off-ramps.
These are by no means show-up-and-chill sessions, so the suffer-as-a-group aspect helps us all get the work done.
Meantime, there’s something to be said for having the entirety of a session in front of you. Especially when the workout includes an MJ punch-you-in-the-face special (always optional!) at the end. Last week I found myself staring at the final 3 x 30/15 interval for much of the hour. But the scoring system didn’t allow me to ease up (which, I of course, could have if that’s how I felt…no pressure!!!).
With the session dashboard providing both active feedback (wattage, cadence and HR dials) and passive notice (check out what’s coming up!), it’s serves up the constant reminder that the race is long, that it’ll likely only get more challenging as it progresses, and that you can’t let up at any point in the middle.
The whole system seems to work together in a way that keeps the mind right about the work to be done, work that for many of us has been yielding commensurate returns. So, I’ve found the weekly Tuesday and Thursday sessions super-engaging, entirely entertaining (we laugh, we cry, we share stories!) and a very worthwhile component of my routine.
Hoping more of you join us!
