TrainingPeaks and TrainerRoad: How to Sync Workouts and Data

How do I sync Training Peaks with TrainerRoad?

Syncing TrainingPeaks with TrainerRoad involves establishing a connection between the two platforms, primarily allowing completed workout data to flow from TrainerRoad to TrainingPeaks for analysis, and enabling structured workouts planned in TrainingPeaks to be executed seamlessly within TrainerRoad.

Why Integrate TrainingPeaks and TrainerRoad?

For serious endurance athletes and their coaches, integrating TrainingPeaks and TrainerRoad offers a powerful synergy that streamlines the training process. TrainingPeaks serves as a comprehensive platform for planning, analyzing, and tracking training data, providing metrics like Training Stress Score (TSS), Intensity Factor (IF), and Normalized Power (NP). TrainerRoad, on the other hand, excels as an indoor training application, offering a vast library of structured workouts and adaptive training plans.

By syncing these platforms, you achieve:

• Centralized Data Analysis: All your completed workout data, whether indoor or outdoor, funnels into TrainingPeaks for a holistic view of your training load, fitness, and fatigue.
• Seamless Workout Execution: Structured workouts designed in TrainingPeaks can be automatically pushed to TrainerRoad, allowing you to execute them precisely as prescribed.
• Optimized Coaching Workflow: Coaches can prescribe workouts in TrainingPeaks, and athletes can execute them in TrainerRoad without manual data entry or file transfers, ensuring adherence to the training plan.
• Data Consistency: Eliminates discrepancies by ensuring the same workout data is used across both platforms for performance tracking and analysis.

Understanding the Data Flow

It's crucial to understand the primary direction of data flow when connecting these two platforms:

• TrainerRoad to TrainingPeaks: Completed workouts performed on TrainerRoad (indoor rides) are automatically uploaded to your TrainingPeaks calendar. This includes power data, heart rate, cadence, and other relevant metrics.
• TrainingPeaks to TrainerRoad: Structured workouts (e.g., specific intervals with power targets) planned in your TrainingPeaks calendar can be automatically pulled into TrainerRoad, ready for you to execute on your smart trainer.

Step-by-Step Guide: Syncing TrainerRoad to TrainingPeaks (Completed Workouts)

This is the most common and essential sync, ensuring your indoor efforts are recorded in your primary training log.

1. Log into Your TrainerRoad Account: Open a web browser and navigate to the TrainerRoad website. Log in using your credentials.
2. Access Account Settings: Once logged in, click on your profile icon or name, usually located in the top right corner, and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.
3. Navigate to Ride Sync: On the left-hand sidebar of your Account page, look for and click on "Ride Sync".
4. Connect to TrainingPeaks: You will see a list of available integrations. Locate the "TrainingPeaks" option and click the "Connect" button next to it.
5. Authorize the Connection: A new window or tab will open, redirecting you to TrainingPeaks. You will be prompted to log into your TrainingPeaks account (if not already logged in) and then grant TrainerRoad permission to access your data. Click "Authorize" or "Allow".
6. Confirm Sync Settings: After authorization, you will be redirected back to TrainerRoad. You should now see TrainingPeaks listed as "Connected." TrainerRoad will typically sync all future completed workouts to TrainingPeaks automatically.
   • Note on Historical Data: TrainerRoad generally does not retroactively sync past workouts to TrainingPeaks. Only workouts completed after the connection is established will sync.

Step-by-Step Guide: Syncing TrainingPeaks to TrainerRoad (Structured Workouts)

This sync allows you to execute workouts planned in TrainingPeaks directly within the TrainerRoad app.

1. Ensure a Structured Workout is Scheduled in TrainingPeaks:
   • Log into your TrainingPeaks account.
   • Go to your calendar and ensure you have a structured workout (one with specific power targets and intervals, often denoted by a small "structured workout" icon) planned for the current day or an upcoming day. If it's a basic workout description, TrainerRoad cannot import it as a structured workout.
2. TrainerRoad Automatically Pulls Workouts: TrainerRoad's integration with TrainingPeaks is designed to automatically check for and pull structured workouts from your TrainingPeaks calendar. There's no manual "sync" button to press within TrainerRoad for this specific function.
3. Access the Workout in TrainerRoad:
   • Open the TrainerRoad desktop application or mobile app.
   • On the "Calendar" tab, you should see the structured workout from TrainingPeaks appear on its scheduled day.
   • Alternatively, go to the "Train Now" or "Workouts" section. Your TrainingPeaks workout for the day will often be prominently displayed there, ready to be selected and started.
   • Important: Ensure your TrainingPeaks workout is marked as "structured" and not just a text description. TrainerRoad needs the underlying workout file (.ERG, .ZWO, etc., which TrainingPeaks generates from its structured workout builder) to import it correctly.

Verifying Your Sync

After setting up the connections, it's essential to verify that data is flowing as expected.

• For TrainerRoad to TrainingPeaks:
  1. Complete a workout in TrainerRoad.
  2. Once the workout is saved, open your TrainingPeaks calendar.
  3. The completed workout should appear on the corresponding day, typically within a few minutes. Check the details (power, duration, TSS) to ensure they match.
• For TrainingPeaks to TrainerRoad:
  1. Schedule a structured workout in TrainingPeaks for the current day.
  2. Open the TrainerRoad app.
  3. Check your TrainerRoad calendar or "Train Now" section. The TrainingPeaks workout should be listed and available for selection.

Troubleshooting Common Sync Issues

If your workouts aren't syncing, consider these common solutions:

• Check Connection Status:
  • In TrainerRoad, go to Account > Ride Sync and ensure TrainingPeaks is listed as "Connected."
  • In TrainingPeaks, go to Settings > Apps & Devices and confirm TrainerRoad is authorized.
• Refresh/Restart Apps: Sometimes, simply closing and reopening the TrainerRoad app or refreshing your web browser for TrainingPeaks can resolve a temporary glitch.
• Disconnect and Reconnect: If the connection seems stale, try disconnecting TrainerRoad from TrainingPeaks (and vice-versa, if the option exists) and then re-establishing the connection from scratch, following the steps above.
• Verify Workout Type (TrainingPeaks to TrainerRoad): Ensure the workout in TrainingPeaks is a structured workout (created with the Workout Builder or imported as a .ERG/.ZWO file). Simple text descriptions will not sync as executable workouts.
• Time Zones: Confirm that your time zones are correctly set and consistent across both TrainerRoad and TrainingPeaks to avoid workouts appearing on the wrong day.
• TrainingPeaks Premium: While basic sync functionality works with a free TrainingPeaks account, some advanced features or workout building capabilities might require a Premium subscription.
• Contact Support: If all else fails, reach out to the support teams for TrainerRoad or TrainingPeaks. They can often diagnose specific account-related issues.

Optimizing Your Integrated Workflow

To get the most out of your TrainingPeaks and TrainerRoad integration:

• Plan in TrainingPeaks: Use TrainingPeaks as your central hub for all training plan creation and modification. Its robust planning tools and performance management chart are invaluable.
• Execute in TrainerRoad: Rely on TrainerRoad for precise execution of your indoor structured workouts, leveraging its accurate control of your smart trainer.
• Analyze in TrainingPeaks: After workouts, return to TrainingPeaks for in-depth analysis of your performance, progress, and overall training load.
• Utilize Adaptive Training (TrainerRoad): If you're using TrainerRoad's Adaptive Training, be aware that while TrainingPeaks sends the initial workout, TrainerRoad's AI might suggest modifications based on your performance. The completed workout will still sync back to TrainingPeaks.

Conclusion

Integrating TrainingPeaks and TrainerRoad creates a powerful, efficient, and data-rich training environment. By following these clear steps, athletes can ensure their structured workouts are seamlessly executed and all their valuable training data is consolidated for comprehensive analysis, empowering them to train smarter and achieve their performance goals.