# High watt target but short intervals

**URL:** <https://forums.zwift.com/t/high-watt-target-but-short-intervals/9401>\
**Category:** Archived: General Discussion\
**Created:** [May 24, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/high-watt-target-but-short-intervals/9401 "2016-05-24T12:45:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Paul\_Ecobichon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/paul_ecobichon/32/47767_2.png) [@Paul\_Ecobichon](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Paul_Ecobichon)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/high-watt-target-but-short-intervals/9401/1 "2016-05-24T12:45:02Z")

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Hi.&nbsp;My customised workouts&nbsp;include 10 second&nbsp;bursts&nbsp;@ 400 watts before dropping&nbsp;back down to&nbsp;around 100 watts. If I’m&nbsp;using the&nbsp;ERG function the trainer takes a few&nbsp;seconds before it starts applying the resistance needed to hit&nbsp;the higher&nbsp;power targets, and I understand why that is the case. If I turn off the ERG function how can I get my trainer to apply resistance based on increased cadence/gear change instead? Does the&nbsp;trainer simply revert to applying resistance based on the in game gradient? When I turn off ERG mode there is very little resistance&nbsp;even in the biggest gears. Has anyone experienced the same problem? &nbsp;

I have a taxc vortex smart running version 3.1.13

I select prefer flat&nbsp;roads for my customised workouts

I have checked the&nbsp;power display instant box in settings&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![A\_Tage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@A\_Tage](https://forums.zwift.com/u/A_Tage)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/high-watt-target-but-short-intervals/9401/2 "2016-05-24T21:14:17Z")

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ERG off is supposed to be outdoors feel so gives some terrain resistance but don’t think it’s full game??. Press + - keys. on keyboard&nbsp; or use zwift app to increase or decrease the resistance. I use freeride mode for my sprints which simulates a flat road and is whats used for the FTP test.

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**Author:** ![Duane\_Gran\_Vision](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/duane_gran_vision/32/886_2.png) [@Duane\_Gran\_Vision](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Duane_Gran_Vision)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/high-watt-target-but-short-intervals/9401/3 "2016-05-25T21:07:17Z")

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In my opinion, ERG mode isn’t ideal for short and punchy interval sessions. &nbsp;I use a CompuTrainer which has a pretty rapid engagement for the resistance but still there is a bit of ramp up. &nbsp;On a 10 second interval you can lose quite a bit of time in transition still. &nbsp;

I would do short hard intervals without ERG mode. &nbsp;The lag is too disruptive to the goal.

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**Author:** ![Paul\_Ecobichon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/paul_ecobichon/32/47767_2.png) [@Paul\_Ecobichon](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Paul_Ecobichon)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/high-watt-target-but-short-intervals/9401/4 "2016-05-26T19:02:30Z")

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Thanks for the advice gents, much appreciated.