{"id":288,"date":"2021-12-03T17:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T16:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=657404"},"modified":"2021-12-03T17:14:31","modified_gmt":"2021-12-03T16:14:31","slug":"wahoo-systm-your-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/wahoo-systm-your-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Wahoo SYSTM: your complete guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Jack Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 03 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Wahoo SYSTM is an indoor training app<\/a> designed mainly for indoor cycling. Its training plan builder creates a programme tailored to your targets and level of fitness.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s pitched at dedicated athletes who want to complete a number of sessions a week as part of a training schedule, rather than have an occasional online smash with their mates.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no virtual reality riding, but you can ride to videos of iconic cycling routes. Some sessions replicate the intensity of real pro-race finales.<\/p>\n

Some workouts that don\u2019t have footage can be done outdoors. The multisport platform has running workouts and yoga<\/a> as cross-training for cyclists<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As we\u2019ll explain later, having swallowed The Sufferfest, Wahoo SYSTM has more in common with no-nonsense TrainerRoad<\/a>. It\u2019s similarly priced, but different to Zwift<\/a> with its video-game graphics and growing number of virtual worlds.<\/p>\n

What is Wahoo SYSTM?<\/h2>\n
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Wahoo SYSTM has something for a range of athletes and cross training for cyclists.<\/span><\/figcaption> Wahoo <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Wahoo SYSTM is an all-encompassing training app<\/a> that can be downloaded on iOS, Android, macOS and Windows.<\/p>\n

The app combines a large archive of interval-based cycling workouts with strength work, yoga and mental training in order to improve your on- and off-bike fitness.<\/p>\n

Wahoo SYSTM incorporates The Sufferfest \u2013 which Wahoo acquired in 2019 \u2013 and in keeping with that spartan training tool, dispenses with some of the bells and whistles of its rivals.<\/p>\n

How does Wahoo SYSTM work?<\/h2>\n

Instead of creating a virtual world in the vein of Zwift and RGT Cycling<\/a>, Wahoo SYSTM makes you a training schedule from a plethora of workouts and content, and then helps you complete it. Or, you can pick and choose workouts as you go along.<\/p>\n

Wahoo SYSTM uses the brand\u2019s own Four Dimensional Power (4DP)<\/a> profile (a more sophisticated version of Functional Threshold Power<\/a>, which has more in common with Critical Power<\/a>), to create plans and workouts bespoke to an individual\u2019s fitness that address their strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n

How much does Wahoo SYSTM cost?<\/h2>\n

Wahoo SYSTM is available as a free 14-day trial for new users. After that, a Wahoo SYSTM subscription costs $14.99 per month, or $129.99 per year.<\/p>\n

What equipment do I need to use Wahoo SYSTM?<\/h2>\n
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A smart trainer will allow you to get the most out of Wahoo SYSTM.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

For indoor cycling workouts, you\u2019ll need a bike and a trainer, whether that\u2019s low- or high-tech.<\/p>\n

Wahoo SYSTM pairs with Wahoo\u2019s smart bikes<\/a> and trainers, such as the Wahoo Kickr Bike<\/a>, Wahoo Kickr<\/a>, Kickr Core<\/a> and Kickr Snap<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also connect your Wahoo Elemnt Rival smartwatch<\/a> and use it as a heart rate monitor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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If you don\u2019t have a smart trainer, a power meter or heart rate monitor will also help you get started.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you don\u2019t have a Wahoo device, most ANT+ or Bluetooth-compatible smart trainers will also work.<\/p>\n

If your measurement device is Bluetooth compatible, you should be able to connect it to your computer, tablet or smartphone via that. Alternatively, you can get an ANT+ USB dongle and use that. Wahoo has an online tool<\/a> to check device compatibility if you want to be sure.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have a smart trainer, a \u2018dumb\u2019 trainer paired with a heart rate monitor, a power meter, a wheel speed sensor and a cadence sensor will also suffice.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have a power meter, SYSTM can calculate virtual power on most non-smart turbo trainers, if you pair a wheel speed sensor with the app. The data won\u2019t be as accurate as with a real power meter or smart trainer, however.<\/p>\n

While all Wahoo SYSTM workouts also have heart rate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) targets, at a bare minimum, we\u2019d recommend you ride with a wheel speed sensor and a heart rate monitor.<\/p>\n

While you could get away with just a speed sensor and riding based on RPE, an inexpensive heart rate monitor will give you useful insight into your fitness.<\/p>\n