Does anyone know of a workaround so that I can train to heartrate as opposed to power on Zwift without a second app running alongside?
Thanks
Workout bias.
Worth noting that training for a specific heart rate is generally speaking… worse across the board than training to power. HR drift, HR variability, the list goes on.
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Thanks for the response. The logic and reasoning behind my question is simply that I don’t ride with a power meter when out on the road so riding to HR seems a more logical metric with which to train with as both training and rides can easily be monitored. I understand your point about the drift/lag (not so sure about HRV as that’s more of a recovery/condition measure)
how about percieved exertion (RPE)?
The only HR training I do is when I try to remain mostly in zone 2 for long periods of time, and that’s pretty easy to do in Zwift, even in ERG mode (which I generally do not use) because you can adjust the power target easily during the workout. However that does require monitoring your HR since Zwift won’t alert you to that. A cycling computer or fitness watch can do that though. When I’m doing that I often put Trainer Difficulty at zero and do a free ride so I am not reacting to the gradient changes as much. I realize this is not exactly what you were requesting but that’s how I handle it.
Mostly just that on some days you can be at higher/lower power for the same HR based on recovery or feeling.
HR just has lag, and is affected by far more for it to be a stable system to “work” from.
I get what you’re after though.
I’ve been spoiled by Zwift because I started on it, with power…
And even riding outdoors (commuting now as well), my HR is total whack compared to indoors for equal power; but I must have power meters outdoors too so I don’t instantly blow up outdoors, again because of that HR lag.
HR is just too much of a reactive system, hence why it’s not common to find systems to try and stabilize you at a specific rate.
Ideally, like in Z2, as I said, setting a workout to be Zone2 and using the workout bias is going to be the only real way to do it on Zwift (and there’s nothing wrong with it).
On an unrelated note, look around for used power meter cranks that should work for your bike, they are out there, and crank arm ones generally aren’t all that expensive either! Single side IMO is more than fine for the 99%.
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I bought two single-sided crank arm power meters in the last year. One was a Specialized/4iiii closeout on eBay brand new for about US$230. The other was the current 4iiii model from a discounter for about $340. Used on eBay is often findable for around $200.
I still use HR as a guide but I have power meters.
As Paul said, my zone 2 rides, indoors or outdoors, are HR directed.
For other work outs, I use power but monitor HR.
I do threshold and VO2 max intervals.
I will do 1 , 3, 5 min intervals and the power I hold is the power that gets my HR to 94 % of max.
That’s how I define my power goal.
I guess I could also use a percentage of max power for that interval, or 90% of max 5 min power for a 5 min goal.
My 10 min intervals are either ftp or sweet spot (90% FTP).
I don’t do a lot of short intervals outside because I feel it is important to watch traffic and such.
Probably, perceived exertion over a specific time interval and watch you heart response.
Practice this on Zwift before you move outdoors to have an idea of how hard to do a 3 or 5 min intervals.
Over/unders may be tough to do but not impossible.
I guess my bias towards HR is the transferability from Wattbike to road bike and without further investment in power pedals I’m stuck with power indoors and HR outdoors. When watching my HR on days where the legs are telling me to “f*ck off” my power is lower (understandably) whereas there are days when my power is “normal” but HR is through the roof.
RPE just doesn’t do it for me as it’s not “clinical” in the way that a HR or power reading is.
Is HR something that Zwift could do to run parallel to power?
Too much hassle?
I’m not sure what question you are asking.
I would recommend you do power and HR on Zwift.
Try not to trash ride.
On days that your legs are shot, either do a zone 2 ride or a sweet spot interval.
Learn how that feels and correlate that to your HR.
Make sure you’re not bashing out max power intervals every day.
That’s like doing Mac bench press or squats everyday instead of training and recovering.