Accuracy of FitTrack fitness scores?

[Jay_B]

So I have been working on a training plan with the FitTrack website for the Rand Water race this last weekend. The programme I was on was to ride in +- 3h30... according to the graph of the fitness score I was a good 10 points below what I should have been, however I rode quite comfortable to a time of 3H00 on the dot.

 

So now I have questions as to just how accurate there calculations are for the fitness score?

Has anybody else experienced a similar thing with FitTrack?

 

 

[fanievb]

IMHO not accurate at all.

 

Used one of their training programs but I do my tracking on a diy PMC chart.

[Jigghead]

I've stopped using Fittrack some time ago. Not because I worry about the accuracy, but because they cannot gather the info off a Garmin feinx 2, in spite of me sending all the info and error codes, they seem to cut off comms once they hit a brick wall!

[word]

I am using Fittrack for 94.7 - I feel that it concentrates too much on quantity over quality however it is still getting me onto the bike regularly so can't be all bad

[canfan]

I have been using Fittrack for about 3 years now. Its a great tool to track where your fitness is at. HOWEVER, the scores they recommend you need to ride a certain time is at times way off. You have to view it as an indication. For instance, 2 year ago I was training for a sub 3 94.7. The score they recommended was 75. My score was only 57 and I managed to ride a 2:56. A friend of mine had a score of 82 but he only managed a 3:30. It will be different for everyone. So use it and learn were you need to be for a specific time. 

[canfan]

I am using Fittrack for 94.7 - I feel that it concentrates too much on quantity over quality however it is still getting me onto the bike regularly so can't be all bad

I agree, They definitely put a lot more emphasis on quantity. 

[Grogs]

I use it as a motivator, bu it really is just a guide. The biggest problem with it is that it doesn't take into account rest in determining your overall fitness - you lose points on days where you rest, and the harder you go, the more points you get.

 

So if you ride for four hours a day from Monday to Saturday, your score on Sunday morning will show that you are really fit for your race that day, but you won't be because you haven't rested enough. Someone else who did the same exercise as you from Monday to Friday, but who rested on Saturday, wil be less fit according to Fittrack, but will probably be more capable of producing a better time than you, all other things being equal.

 

Would pay a lot more attention to it if it had an additional metric to deal with this.

[Jay_B]

I have found that as well, the time spent in the saddle counts for way more than the intensity of your ride. I will now also start using it as a general gauge on my fitness but for specific training will be starting up with TrainerRoad next week. 

[TALUS]

I use it to compare my fitness over long periods. The graph is useful to compare where I was more than a year ago.

[Skubarra]

I agree with Talus, I use it as a rough (and I mean very rough) indicator to compare my own fitness levels with what it was in the past. For anything else its useless.

[canfan]

I agree with Talus, I use it as a rough (and I mean very rough) indicator to compare my own fitness levels with what it was in the past. For anything else its useless.

Exactly, it can only be used as a guide, you have to find your own reference points whereby you measure exactly what is going on. The helpful thing for me is that I now know exactly where I need to be to be able to ride x y or z. But it took time to build that up.

[Ryno.]

I used a fittrack program to sharpen up for 94.7 . My fitness score was 10,2 and I rode a 2:42.

[TALUS]

I used a fittrack program to sharpen up for 94.7 . My fitness score was 10,2 and I rode a 2:42.

Surely more like 70.2?

[Jay_B]

I used a fittrack program to sharpen up for 94.7 . My fitness score was 10,2 and I rode a 2:42.

 

How many hours have you logged into it though?

 

According to there plans I needed to have a score of 60 to ride sub 3, I was at 38 and rode 2:43 so I really think they need to look at their system. They have too much weight on the hours spent in the saddle. I took a 2 week break since 94.7 and my graph has dropped by nearly 10 points. They have no room for a rest day with out your fitness score being penalized.

[EmptyB]

I've stopped using Fittrack some time ago. Not because I worry about the accuracy, but because they cannot gather the info off a Garmin feinx 2, in spite of me sending all the info and error codes, they seem to cut off comms once they hit a brick wall!

The above is definitely the case for me, there's always ongoing problems with uploading from Garmin devices and they tend to hide away when it can't be resolved!

 

Otherwise I do use it as a guide/motivation only. Far too much emphasis on quantity and not quality. I often find I ride better after properly structured rests when my fitness score has dropped quite a bit!?

[Ryno.]

Surely more like 70.2?

Nope a solid 10.2