Sillyoldtwit said:Some people train using speed only as their sole means of measuring personal progress.
Some use cadence only.
Some use an HRM.
Some use a power meter.
Some advocate weight training.
Some use all the above or a combination of any of the 5.
Some swear by a coach employing 1 or more of the above.
Then there are the lucky people who save money, don't purchase or hire any of the above and smile contentedly (and distantly) at all the arguments for and against these items.
I think we (and that definitely includes me) should all respect each other's views.
Riders using 1 or more or none of the above, have become very successful in their own right.
It all boils down to what you think works best for you. This doesn't mean to say one can't express their personal choice and belief.
Perhaps we shouldn't say ~ is a waste of time, but rather, have you thought about the using ~ as I think (believe) it might help you in making even greater progress, or words to that effect.
We are after all, trying to help each other to improve in these forums, and I have been as guilty as the next man in dismissing a particular method of training.
Maybe I'm being too idealistic, and people are not happy unless there's some friction in the camp. If true - so be it. 😉 Tyson
Unfortunately this is never going to happen. The day every1 on this forum can kindly respect how every1 trains is the day I will post more regularly on this forum. ATM ppl are just getting shut down for using more conventional methods and being told that science proves...is a total waste of time.
In nearly every case these methods that are supposed to be a waste of time are employed by 99.99% of top level cyclists in the world. How many races this year were won with a PM??? not alot. How many were won without a PM this year? I dare say nearly every single race if you exclude the cyclists who get paid to lug around these gadgets (Floyd, Jens on occasion).
Apparently weight training is a total waste of time aswell, pfft wake up to yourselves. Just ask any sporting association about the usefullness of specific weight training to there sports or the value of core training.
base training=waste of time, stretching=waste of time, HR=waste of time, weights= waste of time.
I have a polar 725XTE, bought it and I find it very convenient but I still hardly use it. I dont need a Pm or a HRM to tell me whether I am having a [censored] day or not...I certainly dont need a HRM or a PM to tell me to pedal faster. I have an awesome coach/advisor who I gel with very well. I ask him a question and he answers, so far every answer has been correct even if I didn't like it at the time. BTW a lot of those answers haven't been proven by science but then again science proves red meat will give you cancer and eating white bread reduces life expectancy. Science also proves there is only one right way of going about things...Strange I have improved out of sight with a HRM, stretching, weights, speedometer and base training let science prove that one!😕
Last result-4th in a club race (a-grade)...would have won if I had a PM or if I didn't do that strength session a few days b4.