Setup Instructions

1. Install the Data Field

• Xert Magic Buckets (XMB):  Download from Garmin Connect IQ

Use the Garmin Connect IQ app (mobile) or Garmin Express (desktop) to install the data field to your Garmin watch.

2. Add to an Activity Profile

• On your Garmin watch, go to Settings > Activities & Apps & choose an activity profile (e.g., Run, Bike).
• Select Data Screens > Add New (or modify an existing screen). Use a single data field.
• Choose Field Type: Connect IQ > Select Xert Magic Buckets. Save and exit.

You can add this data field to any cycling or running profile on compatible watches. XMB now supports running power, giving runners structured guidance based on Xert’s Low, High, and Peak strain targets.

3. Register the Data Field

To activate the data field:

1. Record a short activity using the profile with XMB installed.
2. Save the activity and ensure it syncs to Xert via Garmin Connect.
3. Once synced, you’ll see a confirmation in Xert Online that your device is registered.

If the file syncs through Strava, registration will fail. Upload the .FIT file manually at XertOnline.com if needed. Reach out to our support team if you need assistance with registering the data field.

How to Use XMB on Your Watch

XMB shows you how you’re progressing toward your Low, High, and Peak XSS targets for the day, based on your current plan from Forecast AI or XATA. It’s perfect for loosely structured training days, runs, or rides where you want to hit your distribution goals without doing a full workout.

UI Overview:

• Pop-up message at ride start confirms your signature & training targets are synced.
• Status Dot: Located above the interval state & indicates the fetch of your fitness signature & training targets from Xert.
  • Upon successful fetch of your signature & training targets
  • Expired targets or settings changed. Press stop/start to re-fetch targets.
  • Phone disconnected to device or Garmin Connect mobile app isn’t running.
• Ride States: as you progress through your ride, you will see different states
  • Warmup
  • Ready
  • Interval
  • Recovery
  • Easy
  • Cooldown
• XSS Buckets: along the outer edges of the watch face, there are three colour-coded bars. Each bar fills up as you accumulate strain (XSS) on that energy system.
  • Low
  • High
  • Peak
• Breakthrough Alert: when you’re getting close to a breakthrough, XMB will give you a notification!
• Challenge Level indicator: specifies your current challenge level. Moves counter-clockwise as challenge level increases during intervals & moves clockwise as challenge level decreases during recovery intervals. Reach Challenge Level 10 for a Breakthrough!
• Current Power & Target Power: the power reading in the center of the watch face indicates your current power output. The target power for your current interval state is shown directly beneath.
• Interval Timer: Below your current & target power, the interval timer will be displayed.
  • For Warmup, Ready, Recovery, Endurance, & Cooldown states the timer will count down.
  • For Intervals, the timer will count up as you hold the effort.
  • Before you start your activity, the data field will display an estimated duration of the training based on your Low, High, & Peak XSS targets.

Running Power Support:

XMB also supports running activities with power. If you use Garmin’s native Running Power, XMB will track your strain across energy systems – giving runners access to the same tool that cyclists have enjoyed.

Note: Stryd running power meters aren’t currently supported for XMB, but it is something we are looking into.

Tips for Use on Garmin Watches

• Use STOP > START mid-activity to refresh your training targets from Xert. Helpful if you started with stale targets or if you wish to change your training targets from the Xert web app mid-ride.
• You can customize data field preferences (e.g., power smoothing) using Garmin Connect IQ mobile or Garmin Express desktop.
• Both fields support indoor and outdoor use – great for outdoors or indoors on treadmills and trainers.
• Using Forecast AI? XMB will automatically fetch today’s targets, even if you didn’t schedule a workout.

Device Compatibility

These data fields are supported on most Garmin watches that feature power meter support and include Connect IQ version 3.0+. This includes:

• Forerunner 255/265/570/745/955/965/970
• Fenix 5 Plus, 6, 7, and Epix series
• Enduro 2/3, Tactix, Instinct, & MARQ series
• Descent/D2 series
• Venu X1, and many more

Check full compatibility on the Connect IQ Store before installing.

Troubleshooting

If the data field is not fetching your targets:

• Ensure Bluetooth is enabled and your phone has internet access (WiFi or Mobile Data).
• Check that Garmin Connect is open on your phone in the background.
• Reinstall the data field and re-register if needed.
• Manually upload the .FIT file to XertOnline.com if Garmin fails to sync.

Need more help? Reach out to support@xertonline.com or visit the Xert Forum.

On Xert EBC (Android and iOS), you’ll find trainer mode in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. To toggle between trainer modes, simply tap the Trainer Mode. In the Xert Workout Player for ConnectIQ, you can switch modes by bringing up the trainer menu (tap the menu button on bottom right for Edge 820/1000 series devices, or press the ‘back’ button on bottom right for Edge 520 series devices). From there, you can select the trainer mode that you’d like to use.

Xert EBC Trainer Modes (Android/iOS)

• AUTO – This is the default setting, and is the mode you will be using most often while using Xert EBC on Android and iOS. AUTO mode simply means that the trainer automatically switches between ERG mode and SLOPE mode.
  • This mode is designed to support Xert’s MIXEDMODE workouts, where the resistance for some intervals are controlled automatically (like ERG mode) and other intervals will be completed in SLOPE mode (you’ll need to use gears and cadence to hit the power targets).
  • Any intervals that are performed in SLOPE mode during your workout will have a ‘SLOPE x.x%’ indicated in the Xert EBC app & on the session player!
• SLOPE – This trainer setting allows your trainer to hold a virtual slope. When you switch to SLOPE mode, you will need to use your bike’s gearing and your cadence to meet the interval targets.
  • You can adjust the simulated slope percentage by tapping the UP/DOWN arrows on iOS and Android. Each tap adjusts the simulated slope up/down 0.5%
  • Generally, you’ll find that a “false flat” slope of approximately 1.5 – 2.5% will provide the best results, but feel free to experiment on your own and determine what works best for you.
  • When moving from very low powers (< 150W) to very high powers (>300W), you’ll notice a bit of a lag as your trainer spins up and gains inertia. Once at speed, you may notice a slight drop in power, so you may need to shift up another gear or increase your cadence.
• ERG – This trainer setting holds your smart trainer at a fixed, absolute intensity (i.e. 100 W), regardless of your cadence or gearing.
  • NOTE: This mode will not automatically follow the intensity of the workout intervals – use AUTO mode instead.
  • To adjust the intensity of ERG mode, use the UP/DOWN arrows on iOS and Android. Each tap adjusts the intensity up/down 5 Watts.
• RESISTANCE – This trainer setting simulates a magnetic or fluid ‘dumb trainer’. Similar to SLOPE mode, in this trainer mode, you will need to control your power output through usage of your bike’s gearing and your cadence.
  • You can adjust the resistance percentage by tapping the UP/DOWN arrows on iOS and Android
  • The amount of resistance varies from trainer to trainer, so if you plan to use this mode, you may need to experiment and find the setting which works best for you.
• OFF – This turns off all trainer control, and essentially turns your smart trainer into a dumb trainer. This mode can be helpful if you wish to let another app control your trainer (Zwift, for example).

Xert Workout Player Trainer Modes (Garmin)

• Power Control – This is the default setting, and is likely the mode you will be using the vast majority of the time while using Xert workout players on Garmin. In Power Control mode, the trainer automatically matches the resistance of your trainer power to match the interval target of your workout.
  • This mode also supports mixed mode workouts, where some intervals can be controlled automatically and other intervals will be completed in SLOPE mode. The app will automatically switch back and forth between controlling the resistance for you and SLOPE mode.
• Resistance – This trainer setting simulates a magnetic or fluid ‘dumb trainer’. Similar to SLOPE mode, in this trainer mode, you will need to control your power output through usage of your bike’s gearing and your cadence.
  • You can adjust the resistance percentage by tapping the UP/DOWN arrows on iOS and Android
  • The amount of resistance varies from trainer to trainer, so if you plan to use this mode, you may need to experiment and find the setting which works best for you
• Slope – This trainer setting allows your trainer to hold a fixed, virtual slope. In this mode, you are responsible for controlling your power output through your use of your bike’s gearing and your cadence.
  • You can adjust the simulated slope percentage by tapping the UP/DOWN arrows on iOS and Android. Each tap adjusts the simulated slope up/down 0.5%
  • Generally, you’ll find that a “false flat” slope of approximately 1.5 – 2.5% will provide the best results, but feel free to experiment on your own and determine what works best for you.
  • When moving from very low powers (< 150W) to very high powers (>300W), you’ll notice a bit of a lag as your trainer spins up and gains inertia. Once at speed, you may notice a slight drop in power, so you may need to shift up another gear or increase your cadence.
• Off – This turns off all trainer control, and essentially turns your smart trainer into a dumb trainer. This mode can be helpful if you wish to let another app control your trainer (Zwift, for example).

Which trainer mode should I be using?

In general, AUTO mode is the default, recommended trainer mode for the vast majority of following a workout using one of the Xert Workout Players. Use this if you wish to simply pedal along and have the Xert workout player automatically control your effort through the entire workout.

When doing a high intensity workout, or one of the Breakthrough workouts in the library, you may want to experiment with performing these workouts using SLOPE or RESISTANCE modes. Using SLOPE/RESISTANCE means that you will need to pay attention to your power output relative to the power targets of the workout and make adjustments as you go. However, using one of these modes during a breakthrough workout has some unique advantages. Firstly, you can avoid the dreaded ‘spiral of death’ (or the feeling of getting bogged down by your trainer if your cadence gets too low) towards the end of a breakthrough interval. Additionally, if you are using SLOPE mode for a breakthrough effort, you can continue pushing until you truly reach a point of failure, even if that point is beyond when an interval ‘ends’. When using AUTO mode, the interval will end exactly when it’s told to, even if you haven’t been able to fully express your fitness signature, or if you have even more to give.

Login

Enter your Xert username & password to login to your Xert profile. You will only need to login the first time you open the app unless you log out using the button in the top right corner of the Settings page.

Activities

Activities: summary

In the summary view you’ll see your:

1. Training status & freshness (colour of stars),
2. Current Threshold Power,
3. Focus power, based on your chosen Athlete Type,
4. Complete Fitness Signature, including your Lower Threshold Power (LTP)
5. Summaries of your activities, listed in chronological order from most to least recent.

By tapping anywhere on an activity summary ‘card’ you’ll open an expanded view of the metrics from that activity. If you had a breakthrough during the activity, a banner will appear at the top (1) and you’ll be able to see how your breakthrough impacted your Fitness Signature (2). By scrolling down you’ll see an image of your MPA chart, a Google Street View from the location of your breakthrough, and the map of your activity (3).

Activities: expanded

Train

This is a powerful section of the app. It allows you to view the training recommendations of the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor (XATA) (1),  and select a workout from a list (2) ranked by how closely they match the advice of XATA; they are listed in order of closest to farthest from the advice. Note that there is always a workout selected for your in the background (3) in case you need one.

If you’d like to do a different workout than the one recommended, you can either scroll down and select another by tapping it, or you can filter (4) the workout list and select from there.

Workout Filter Options

Workouts can be filtered in several ways depending on your needs. Most often, filtering by duration to find a workout that fits into your schedule and leaving XATA to do the rest, is the best option, but sometimes you may wish to select from a library of workouts created by your coach, or from your own list of custom-created workouts.

Here are the workout filters available:

1. Workout library;
   • Standard – the library from Xert,
   • Coach – workouts from your coach(es),
   • Personal – workouts you created using the Xert Workout Designer.
2. Workout duration;
3. Workout Focus.

Tap the ‘Filter’ button (4) when you have made your selections to update the workout list. You can also tap ‘Clear’ (5) to remove all filters.

Settings

The settings page allows you to configure your Sensors (1), access information about Xert (2), or logout (3).

To configure your sensors on the Sensors page, be sure that your desired sensors are ‘awake’, then tap the desired category, and select the sensor. You may need to wait a few seconds for your trainer or other sensors to be found, but once listed, tap its name to select. The sensor category will change from grey to turquoise and the sensor will appear by name with its live data.

The Xert app allows you to configure the following sensors:

• Power Source (e.g. on-bike power meter),
• Trainer Control (if you have a ‘smart’ trainer),
• Heart Rate,
• Cadence (often, though not always, from your on-bike power meter), and
• Speed (often, though not always, from your ‘smart’ trainer).

Powermatch can also be enabled in the Xert app. Powermatch typically means using your on-bike power meter to override the power from your smart trainer, thereby ensuring that your power data is consistently measured when riding indoors AND outdoors. To enable, simply select your on-bike power meter under Power Source, and select your trainer under Trainer Control. Powermatch has been enabled in the example above.

Workout Mode (under ‘Train’)

To do a workout, first ensure that your sensors are configured and awake, then tap any workout to select it, and then tap the play button.

The controls and views available during your workout are:

Controls

1. Skip to the next interval or return to the beginning of the current interval (if the current interval is < 10s, using the left facing arrows will return you back to the previous interval),
2. Increase or decrease the intensity of the entire workout,
3. Pause, stop, save, resume or discard your workout. When saved, activities will be uploaded automatically, but if no internet connection is available when saved, it will be uploaded when a ‘refresh’ is initiated (pull down on the screen to refresh).
4. Toggle between various resistance modes. Currently, FTMS supports ERG mode (i.e. allow Xert, Zwift or another connected third party to control the resistance), but not Resistance or Slope mode though these are available for future developments in FTMS. ERG mode can also be set to ‘Off’. When in ERG mode, the intensity of the entire workout can be adjusted by using the + or – buttons (2) in the bottom right and left corner, respectively,
5. Configure your sensors on-the-fly. Once configured, press the back button in the top left corner of the Sensors page to return to your workout.

Note that the Xert Remote Player is automatically enabled in the background without any need to change settings in the app.

Views (live workout)

Several views are available during your workout by swiping the two top sections to the left or right.

Top view

Top 1/1

The outer/pink dial is your Maximal Power Available (MPA) and it will ’empty’ from right to left as you draw it down during sustained efforts above your Threshold Power.

The inner dial shows current power (white needle) and target power (white triangle). The power ‘zones’ are colour-coded based on your Fitness Signature:

Colour,Definition
Blue,Lower Threshold Power (LTP)
Green,Threshold Power (TP)
Yellow,Above Threshold Power
Orange,5 minute power (based on fatigue)
Red,Maximal Power Available (MPA)
Purple,Above MPA

Top 1/2

• Accumulated Strain by this point in the workout;
• Xert Equivalent Power (XEP) by this point in the workout;
• Focus & Athlete Type by this point in the workout;
• Difficulty rating by this point in the workout.

Top 1/3

Workout profile of the entire workout with current and target power.

Top 1/4

• Average power by this point in the workout;
• XEP by this point in the workout;
• Average cadence by this point in the workout (cadence sensor required);
• Average heart rate by this point in the workout (heart rate sensor required).

Top 1/5

This section is vertically scrollable by swiping up and down. By doing so you’ll be able to view the following information:

• Name of the current interval ‘set’ (top right);
• Name of the current interval (top left);
• Number of interval ‘repeats’ – and progress so far – in this set;
• Duration, average power, and finishing MPA of the completed interval(s) – above highlighted row;
• Duration, target power, and target finishing MPA of current interval – highlighted row;
• Duration, target power, and target finishing MPA of next interval(s) – below highlighted row.

Middle view

Middle 2/1

• Current power and target interval power.

Middle 2/2

• Current power, target interval power.
• Current heart rate (bpm)
• Current power, target interval power, current MPA and target interval MPA.

1. Support for Smart Trainers Configured on Your Garmin

Previously, in order for trainer control to work with your smart trainer you could not have it configured (selected) as a sensor on your Garmin; instead, you needed to have it configured in the Xert Workout Player app. With Version 2.0, you can configure (select) the sensor on your Garmin, and the Workout Player will use it as a smart trainer. Note that there are some important considerations:

1. You will need to configure your trainer’s power, cadence and speed sensors (as needed).
2. Powermatch will only function when you have an onboard power meter (crank, hub or pedal based for example). Be sure your onboard power meter is configured and enabled as a sensor in the Garmin sensors menu, then configure your smart trainer using the smart trainer SELECT feature in the Xert Workout Player. Note that if your smart trainer is configured as a sensor in the Garmin sensors menu, it will not be possible to use Powermatch.
3. Power, cadence and speed data will be correctly stored in the FIT file generated.

To ensure the data is stored correctly per #3 above, if you are using the Xert Workout Player with a smart trainer and are NOT using a separate power meter for Powermatch, you should configure your smart trainer as a sensor on your Garmin. This will allow the power, cadence and speed data from the trainer to be stored in the .FIT file generated by your Garmin, and to be properly recognized by Garmin Connect and Strava, for example, if the workout file is sent to either of those services.

To configure your smart trainer if you do not have a separate/onboard power meter:

For Edge 520/820:

1. On your Garmin go to ‘Settings’
2. Select ‘Sensors’
3. Search for and select your smart trainer. You may need to select ‘Add Sensor’ and press ‘Search All’ or ‘Indoor Trainer’

For Edge 1030:

1. Select Training > Indoor Trainer > Pair ANT+ Bike Trainer.
2. Select the indoor trainer to pair with your device.
3. Select Add.

To enable Powermatch if you have a separate/onboard power meter:

In order to use Powermatch you will need to remove your smart trainer from the sensors menu on your Garmin, and configure it in the Xert Workout Player app.

For Edge 520/820/1000:

1. Configure your onboard power meter (crank, hub or pedal based for example). On your Garmin, navigate to Settings > Sensors, then select your onboard power meter, ensure ‘enable’ is selected, and press ‘Connect’. 
2. Remove your smart trainer on your Garmin. Navigate to Settings > Sensors > select your smart trainer > then select ‘Remove’ and confirm;
3. Open the Xert Workout Player app and a workout (press the Start/Stop button on your Garmin, and select Start Later);
4. Open the Trainer Control page (‘back’ button on Edge 820/1000/1030, bottom right button on Edge 520) and press “Select”.
5. Once your trainer has been found, select it.
6. Make sure Powermatch is set to ‘ON’ by bringing up the Options screen (tap screen on 820/1000/1030, top right button on 520), select Powermatch, and select ‘ON’.
7. If you’d like to begin your workout now, press the Start/Stop button on your Garmin and select ‘Start Workout’. If you choose to discard the activity your settings will continue to be saved.

For Edge 1030:

1. Remove your smart trainer on your Garmin by navigating to Training > Indoor Trainer. Select your indoor trainer already paired with your device and press ‘Remove’ and confirm.
2. Follow steps steps 2 – 6 above in the Xert Workout Player app to set up Powermatch.

2. Improved Smart Trainer Performance If You Stop Pedalling

Previously, when you had to stop pedaling in the middle of an interval it was difficult to pedal back up to the target power with some trainers. In this latest release the return to target power from a stop has been greatly improved.

3. New Workout Intensity Adjustment

On the previous version of the app, the up/down buttons (Edge 520) and left/right screen swipes (Edge 820, 1000, 1030) could adjust the current interval only (i.e. you could only increase/decrease the wattage of one interval at a time). With version 2.0, the up/down button (520) or left/right screen swipe (820/1000/1030) will adjust the intensity for the entire workout. A single swipe will increase or decrease the target power by +/- 1%, and bring up a screen to increase/decrease intensity further with a tap of the up/down arrows.

Note that adjustments apply to your Fitness Signature’s calculation of target power so that dynamically-controlled intervals (SMART Workouts) will also work correctly. A reduction of 2%, for example, reduces your target power accordingly as well as any Target MPA-based intervals and XSSR-based intervals.

The Xert Segment Hunter is a great pacing app that can also be used for time-trials. There are a few keys things to remember in order to properly use the app for these races:

1. Be sure your time-trial course has been defined as a Strava segment, and ‘star’ that segment in Strava.
2. Load the course using the Segments page, then edit your Target Time to be either your expected time or a tad longer. The reason to use a Target Time that’s a bit longer than your desired time is to force the algorithm to give you a negative split (a faster second-half than first-half) during the time-trial. This will likely make hitting the targets a bit easier. Remember that the app paces you based on power and adjusts during execution, it doesn’t try to pace you to perform to the Target Time directly. Changing Target Time only affects the overall split.
3. Choose only 1 segment – the TT race course – to sync to your Garmin.
4. Before your race, configure your Garmin activity profile the way you’d like to use it during the race. For many, having the Segment Hunter on its own dedicated display page will work well. Others may want to combine with cadence and other data and use the app as a field.
5. Ensure your phone is connected to the Internet and your Garmin is connected to your phone. Start Garmin Connect Mobile on your mobile phone.
6. Start an activity on your Garmin and wait for the fetching process to be completed. This can take up to 5 minutes. You should see your TT course as a segment after the fetching process is completed. You can stop the recording and discard the activity. At this point, you no longer need your phone and it can be put away, particularly if your race is a UCI sanctioned race with rules about carrying phones during races.  
7. When you are ready to start the time-trial, start your activity recording. If you see Fetching Segments, hit the Lap button to move to Prowling mode to display your TT course. You should be in Prowling mode right before you start the time-trial.
8. On the start line, hit the lap button a few seconds before your race starts. You’ll see your Target Power displayed with the dark grey background, with the distance and time left.
9. When your race starts, try to stay in the green zone. It can be a good idea to push a bit harder in places – like short hills – in order to maintain momentum on more technical courses; this may push you into the purple or red zone. You don’t need to keep it green the entire time, but note that if your target power is increasing you may be going too easy; if it’s decreasing you may be going too hard. Pushing a bit harder up hills or into the wind is a good tactic as long as you expect to recover back down the hill/downwind. If the entire course is uphill you’ll want to stay in the green zone rather than push into purple or red.
10. If you’ve gone out too slowly, have a mechanical or have to slow down or stop for some reason, don’t feel like you need to push into the purple or red afterwards to make up for it. Simply stay in the green zone and it will automatically increase your target power to account for the rest you just had.
11. If you encounter a head wind that you didn’t expect or plan for, and expect your time to be longer than what you had set as your Target Time, there’s no need to change strategy. As the app sees that you’re going to take longer than planned it will begin to reduce your target power automatically.

Try a practice run or two and follow these steps to ensure that things run smoothly during the race. Get a feel for how the app responds to your efforts during practice. Even if you like to race by feel, the app will provide feedback on how well you’ve been able to do this. Ultimately you’ll want to pace your efforts evenly so that you’re totally spent by the finish line – i.e. have a breakthrough-on-line.

Quick Start Guide: Xert Segment Hunter

To learn how to install, setup, and use the Xert Segment Hunter, read on…

HOW IT WORKS

The Xert Segment Hunter app uses your Fitness Signature and Maximal Power Available (MPA) calculation from your Xert profile to guide you through delivering the maximum average power you can achieve according to your Focus Duration curve. The app is a datafield for Connect IQ enabled Garmin wearables & cycling computers.

Download from Garmin Connect IQ Store…

HOW TO WORK IT

What You Need

1. An Xert profile.  Your unique Fitness Signature from your Xert profile will generate your power target in combination with the live MPA (Maximal Power Available) calculation. In your Xert account, link your Strava account (under the ‘Sync’ menu)
2. A power meter.  Your power meter will tell you how hard you’re working. It must be connected to your Garmin watch or cycling computer.
3. A Strava account.  You will need an account with this third-party provider and will need to have ‘starred’ the segments you’d like to hunt.
4. A Connect IQ-enabled Garmin Edge.  Fenix 5, 5S, Edge 130*, 520, 520+, 820, 1000, or 1030.

Setup Your Segments on Strava and Xert

1. Login to your Strava account and ‘star’ your favourite segments. 
2. Login to your Xert account and navigate to the Xert Segment Hunter page under Sync > Segments.
3. Click the ‘Load My Starred Strava Segments’ button at the top to pull your starred segments into your Xert account. (If they don’t, go to the Strava sync page in your Xert account and relink your Strava account to Xert.)
4. Choose the power averaging you wish to use: 3 or 5 seconds is best.
5. Click the ‘Sync to my Garmin’ toggle switch for those segments you wish to have sent to your Garmin. A maximum of 5 segments can be sent to your Garmin Edge computer.
6. Choose a Target Time. This will provide you a countdown timer during your effort. If Target Time does not appear, make sure the ‘Sync to my Garmin’ toggle switch has been turned on.
7. Finally, select your Pacing. “Hard! Breakthrough-on-the-line” will pace the effort to be exhaustive at the very end. “Tough. But not a breakthrough” is exactly that. It won’t be easy, but you won’t collapse on the line. 
   

Install The Xert Segment Hunter App On Your Garmin Device

1. Go to the Xert page on the Garmin Connect IQ store and install the Xert Segment Hunter app onto your device.
2. Open the app on Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile and enter your Xert username and password.
3. Add the datafield on a dedicated 1 field ‘Data Screen’ in an Activity Profile of your choosing. Note, it can also be added as field on a multi-field display if you’d like other information to appear at the same time, but the full-page version shows more segment hunting-specific information.

Ride: Smash Your First Segment!

1. On your bike, start your activity (press Start/Stop on your Garmin). When you start your activity the background service will be initiated and you’ll see your list of segments on the screen and “Prowling” at the bottom.
2. Your screen will continue to read “Prowling” until you are within 500m of a segment, at which time it will read “Stalking”. When you are within 5 seconds of the start of the segment, a countdown timer will begin and your target starting power will be shown.
3. As you begin the segment a chime will sound and a progress bar with time left and distance left will be shown. Match your current power with your target power. To help keep your power in the right zone, the app will display the Target Power in a coloured field. Green means you’re actual power is close to your target power.
4. As you ride the target power will change if your actual average power is above or below the target average power. As you near the finish the Target Power will fluctuate more dramatically if you stray too far from your target average power.
5. As you cross the line your results will appear on-screen.  

Note:

‘Lap’ button:

1. Clicking the lap button mid-segment will end your ‘hunt’ and begin ‘prowling’ for the next segment.
2. Clicking the lap button while Prowling or Stalking will automatically begin the nearest segment. This is used if, for example, you are on the start line of a Time Trial.

‘Start/Stop’ button: Starting your recording will fetch your starred segments from your Xert profile.

* The new Garmin Edge 130 does not feature a colour screen. The Xert Segment Hunter will display the wattage targets but colour targets are not optimized for this device.

With Xert, there’s no longer a need for traditional FTP tests. When we first launched this concept it was quite remarkable because athletes often planned and performed specific ‘tests’ on a regular basis during both training and racing seasons in order to determine their fitness and performance expectations. There are still many that use lactate testing with blood sampling to determine FTP.

In 2017, we announced a new Garmin data field called “What’s My FTP?” with another novel and powerful approach to determining an athlete’s FTP: we can detect it in real-time, on-the-fly using your power data!

How Does the App Work?

Xert’s WMFTP data field doesn’t require an Xert account or complex setup. Simply install the data field on your Garmin device, and you’re ready to go. This data field works seamlessly across a wide range of Garmin devices such as bike computers & wearables. While it’s best to use a dedicated screen for the data field, you can also pair it with another data field (like 3s Avg Power) to see your current power output and track your FTP as it progressively increases!

The best way to use the data field  is during a ride where you know you’ll eventually reach your limit. Whether it’s a training ride, race, or specific test, the app will determine your FTP at the point of failure, where it becomes impossible to push any higher.

You’ll notice that during your ride, race or workout, the dial moves clockwise until it reaches 12 o’clock. Initially, you’ll find it easy to push your FTP number higher. But it will become progressively harder. Eventually, you’ll have a maximal effort and from there on after it will become impossible to push the number any higher. The number displayed will then show your FTP and the dial becomes a fatigue gauge.

Pacing and Recovery

Unlike traditional FTP tests, which require you to sustain your maximum effort without breaks, Xert’s app focuses on how you fatigue and recover. This means you don’t need to pace yourself or worry about intensity levels. Just ride until you can’t go any longer, and the app will give you an FTP value based on your performance.

No More Set Time Limits

FTP is often referred to as the power you can sustain for an hour, but other methods, like the 20-minute test, try to approximate this. Xert’s approach, however, adapts in real-time to your efforts, and while it’s typically close to your 1-hour FTP, it’s more accurate and dynamic, adjusting with your performance as you ride.

Unique Use Cases

The WMFTP data field allows you to reset your FTP during a ride by using the lap button. This is helpful for tracking the effects of long-term fatigue during rides, such as after a 4-hour effort, or testing how different conditions—like hydration or bike positioning—affect your FTP. You can even test FTP on different bikes to compare results!

Getting the Best Results

To get an accurate FTP reading, we recommend following this general protocol:

1. Warm up: Start with any warm-up routine, including one or two hard efforts.
2. Peak Power Effort: Perform several out-of-the-saddle Peak Power sprints (~10 seconds each) with short rests in between to push your peak power. This helps prime your body for maximal effort.
   • For the best result, on a road with a good surface, ride towards a slight uphill at a fairly high speed and average cadence, then select one gear harder just before you arrive at the incline and as you hit the bottom of it, jump hard out of the saddle and go as hard as you can for at least 10 seconds. It’s important that you post a number that represents something near your maximum power. Rest for a few minutes between sprints.
3. Longer Effort: Ride hard for several minutes to generate fatigue and lower your MPA (Maximal Power Available). Then, push to your limit for a maximal effort.
   • If you have MPA on your bike computer, bring your MPA down to about 400W above your Threshold Power.
   • If you don’t have MPA as a guide, ride hard for several minutes until you feel like you’re going “deep into the red” i.e. you feel like you’re getting close to cracking. A climb is great for this, but a longer stretch of road without stoplights or stop signs also work well.
4. Max Effort: Take a brief rest (or not) and do a maximal effort. This is the toughest part, but be sure to execute this well. Go as hard as you can out of the saddle until you reach ‘failure’. This can be over a few minutes long or just 20s, it doesn’t matter.
5. Recover & Repeat:  If you didn’t reach ‘failure’, briefly rest (not full recovery) and repeat if you wish to make sure you have your best FTP result!
6. Cool Down: End with a proper cool-down to help your muscles recover and flush out any lactate build-up.

Want to Track Your FTP and Do More?

Xert offers a 30-day free trial to help you track your FTP and explore more powerful training tools. Sign up now!

Updated 18 Dec 2024