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.

The new Xert Mobile app for iOS closes the gap between you and the athlete you wish to become.  It has been completely redesigned with an Activity Dashboard, Adaptive Training Advisor and a powerful new Workout Player user interface.  Now you can analyse your power data and perform recommended workouts all in one app.

Activities Dashboard

Xert dives deep into your outdoor and indoor rides and presents this information on the main dashboard once you login.  At the top, you’ll get a snapshot of your current fitness and performance values -the essential information you need, to see where you stand with your training.  Using Xert, you’ll move beyond simply training your FTP and move to training your entire fitness profile – your Fitness Signature.  This in-depth understanding of your abilities as an athlete is unique to Xert.

Below that, you’ll see your activity performance history: the deep analysis Xert has extracted from your data to determine what your fitness was at that time and whether a change in your fitness was detected – a Fitness Breakthrough.  You’ll get to understand with greater detail how you performed on that ride with new metrics like Focus Athlete Type and Maximal Effort Time.  The app will even show you a streetview image of where your fitness breakthrough occurred.

Training and Activity Stats

Tapping the Stats icon on the bottom opens your period stats view.  See how your fitness and performance has been changing over time.  Check on your progress easily.  Key stats available:

1. Hours of training including average number of hours per week.
2. Distance traveled included average and longest ride.
3. Training Load – a measure of how much training you’ve been doing recently.  Tap the > to get a further breakdown on how much you’ve been training your 3 Xert systems.
4. Threshold power changes including W/week increase or decrease.  Tap the > to get a view of how your entire Xert Fitness Signature has changed over the period.
5. Cool Xert metrics like Focus Duration, XSS.
6. See how many calories you’ve burnt, including a daily average and estimates for the number of grams of fat and carbs over the period.

Adaptive Training Advisor and Training Program

Tapping on the training icon at the bottom will bring you to the Adaptive Training Advisor view.  The Xert Adaptive Training Advisor is an advanced algorithm that determines what your training needs are (based on your activity performance history) then scores and ranks workouts you should do.  On this view, you’ll see whether your training is behind schedule, on track or ahead of schedule using the Training Pacer.

Slide to the Adaptive Training Program view and you now get a view of where you are in your training, including a view as to how many hours you need to invest in your training to maintain improvement and what the Focus of that training should be towards your target.  Time to move way from cookie-cutter training plans and let the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor guide you to new fitness and performance levels!

You can also scroll through various structured workouts, shown in order of their ranking, including the ability to filter them by type, time or source.  Use the filter for example, to find a suitable workout that fits into your available time.  You can choose a workout you’d like to play and open it in the Workout Player.

Workout Player

The Workout Player allows you to perform the structured workout on your trainer.  The app supports trainer control using smart trainers.  A comprehensive view of your workout is combined with new controls that allow you to adjust the workout intensity or skip/rewind the workout as you perform.  You can easily switch from ERG mode to Slope mode – a handy feature.  You can choose from various swipeable sections to choose what information is most important for you to see during your workout.

Supported Sensors and Trainers

The app is compatible with Bluetooth power meters as well as smart trainers from Wahoo and those that support the Bluetooth FTMS standard like trainers from Elite and Kurt Kinetic.  For those that are using Tacx, most of their smart trainers support FTMS except for older Neo series that do not yet have it. Contact Tacx Support for firmware updates for your Neo as Tacx have have committed to providing support for these trainers.

If you have an ANT FE-C compatible smart trainer (such as a Tacx Neo and most other smart trainers), you can opt to use the CABLE ANT+ to Bluetooth FTMS bridge for these.  The Cable device can be used to convert ANT+ sensor data to Bluetooth for use with iOS devices and supports converting FE-C (smart trainers), power meter data, heart rate monitor data, cadence data and others.

Remote Player Support

The Workout Player also works with the handy Xert Remote Player, allowing you to perform your workout while watching your workout progress and intervals using a web browser on your PC, iPad or Apple TV:

Download the app and start training with the most advanced training system available today. Register for your Free 30-Day Trial right within the app.

Minimum Requirements: iOS 9.3.5, Bluetooth Power Meter or Smart Trainer

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