Disappointed in CTS Train Right Videos

Hmmm that's not good. Sorry to hear that.

I'm currently testing out the CTS coaching program. I'm using one of their coaches online for my cycle training. We'll see how much it helps, I plan on starting to race next season so trying to learn alot from this. I'm already training at race levels with alot of local racers but I thought I would give CTS a try. We'll see. Good luck!

gotendurance said:

Hmmm that's not good. Sorry to hear that.

I'm currently testing out the CTS coaching program. I'm using one of their coaches online for my cycle training...!

Chris,

I did not mean to imply that CTS training is not effective, and certainly not if you are getting personal coaching.

But I feel the "Train Right" videos, for those of us who are trying to self-train is very poor investment.

Good luck and I sincerely hope your program with CTS is productive.

No, I didn't take your comments that way at all! Just sucks that the videos weren't what you expected. What a waste of dough.😉 I wish you luck with all your training!🙂

gruppo said:

I just purchased the CTS (Carmichael Training Systems) "Train Right" video series. The price for all 5 DVDs was $142.50. Purchased individually, they are $29.95 each. The series includes the following DVDs:

Sprinting
Criterium
Mountain Biking
Time Trial
Climbing

Each video includes a workout of approximately 60 minutes duration with some introductory and closing comments. Each video is of a group of riders on indoor trainers with a coach instructing them as they go through a complete workout. This is all very much like of watching one of the aerobic workout shows on TV where they tell you what to do and you are expected to follow along. For example, each video starts with a warmup session, so you watch the riders warm up on trainer for 5-10 minutes.

The riders in the workouts are professional cyclists, but there are no instructions on how to modify the content of the workout if you are not able to train at that level. There is very little insight into exactly why the workout was designed the way it was, nor is there any information about the techniques and skills required in the various types of cycling.

The entire training workout for each of the DVDs could easily be described in a 2-3 page document, and since you just see people doing doing the workouts, the fact that it is video adds nothing to the presentation. In fact, if all of the redundant material where removed, all 5 videos would easily fit on 2 DVDs.

Yes, you can use a DVD or VHS tape as you workout to get a coached workout, but this will get very boring very fast. While the videos are professionally produced, that does not make up for the lack of core material.

At the current price, I would not recommend these videos to anyone. You get very little new information or insight that can't be found in any good cycle training book at a fraction of the price.

If you are considering the purchase of this product, I would strongly suggest that you buy just one to see exactly what you are getting, and determine if they add any real value to your training program. Except for the times and intensities of the core workout, the videos are essentially identical.

I was just about to buy when I read your post. I'll just keep my dough for some other stuff. Thanks for the info. 🙂

tanggoman said:

I was just about to buy when I read your post. I'll just keep my dough for some other stuff. Thanks for the info. 🙂

why not purchase some coaching instead, which can be far more useful. check out our site for coaching packages www.cyclecoach.com. we're adding some more shortly -- the site will be updated soon. in the meantime, feel free to contact me at [email hidden]

ric

ric_stern/RST said:

why not purchase some coaching instead, which can be far more useful. check out our site for coaching packages www.cyclecoach.com. we're adding some more shortly -- the site will be updated soon. in the meantime, feel free to contact me at [email hidden]

ric

I have the climbing and criterium DVDs. Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh. They explain why they have you doing their workout, etc. It's just superficial and semi-cryptically presented :-). I agree that they are a waste. Sure, during the winter on a rainy day, bust one out and do that instead of braving the elements. But that's about it.

Note also that the workouts are DIFFERENT from what CC prescribes in his book and in their on-line 'personal' training. It's very interested to see the difference. It's not as if they are extremely contradictory, but rather just different enough for me to find it less credible (e.g., 3 min power intervals for criteriums, done 3 set of 3 'reps', with a strong emphasis on the last 2 mins being the key... meanwhile, the crit-specific DVD has 5 (or is it 7?) 2 minute power intervals all in a row).

My run w/ CTS is over when my next renewal comes up.

Gruppo:

I too found the training video not helpful and disappointing. I purchased the single video on climbing with the hope to gain insight on technique and knowledge to help me improve my climbing ability. The hour long tape is merely a video of a group of bicyclists sitting on trainers sweating and pedaling. I've watched it once through and that was enough.

I was in France during the 2004 TDF and saw Chris Carmichael with his tour group of 15 rider clients accompanied by 4 massage therapists. From all reports, he runs a first class operation.

Today, I purchased his book, "The Ultimate Ride". Looks like there is some real content from a quick scan.

Hopefully this feedback can be passed on to CTS for much needed improvements in their video materials.

bluhorizan said:

Gruppo:

I too found the training video not helpful and disappointing. I purchased the single video on climbing with the hope to gain insight on technique and knowledge to help me improve my climbing ability. The hour long tape is merely a video of a group of bicyclists sitting on trainers sweating and pedaling. I've watched it once through and that was enough.

I was in France during the 2004 TDF and saw Chris Carmichael with his tour group of 15 rider clients accompanied by 4 massage therapists. From all reports, he runs a first class operation.

Today, I purchased his book, "The Ultimate Ride". Looks like there is some real content from a quick scan.

Hopefully this feedback can be passed on to CTS for much needed improvements in their video materials.

I bought the CTS-climbing DVD some about a month ago and though it was not to bad.

these videos are not supposed to be entertaining. they are an hour long workout video to follow at home that focus on certain aspects of cycling. just curious what the original poster was expecting when purchasing the entire set?

I have the TT video and I'm not disappointed with it at all ... I'm not sure exactly what else I would look for in a video - but I will say that, when taken in tandem with Carmichael's "Ultimate Ride" book - the concepts, purposes and even the CTS jargon used in the training are clear ...

If you've already outlined a training program that works for you - maybe the CTS program isn't on point. You can always tailor the video's parts to your level of training - spin a lighter gear, etc.

Most importantly, those videos are great for me to train in bad weather AND, I find that when I use the video's regularly, I am actually better on my outdoor rides. I wouldn't "shelve" those video's just yet ... I stuck with mine and I believe that it really does work ...

3_days said:

I have the TT video and I'm not disappointed with it at all ... I'm not sure exactly what else I would look for in a video - but I will say that, when taken in tandem with Carmichael's "Ultimate Ride" book - the concepts, purposes and even the CTS jargon used in the training are clear ...

If you've already outlined a training program that works for you - maybe the CTS program isn't on point. You can always tailor the video's parts to your level of training - spin a lighter gear, etc.

Most importantly, those videos are great for me to train in bad weather AND, I find that when I use the video's regularly, I am actually better on my outdoor rides. I wouldn't "shelve" those video's just yet ... I stuck with mine and I believe that it really does work ...

Last year I was at the Skinny Tire Bike Festival in Moab. CTS had provided "coaches" for all of us to engage with before, during and after the ride for tips and advice.

As it turns out, the "coaches" weren't the least bit interested in engaging the riders. They kept to themselves, road in a group and were pretty much not-egnaged with the rest of us.

I know Chris Carmichael is Lance's coach, but the visible product of coaching and training videos leaves alot to be desired. He is going to have to "step it up" if he wants a growing business once Lance rides off into the sunset.

Has anyone tried the Spinervals DVD's?

I know that they are from everestfilms.comeverestfilms.comOpen ↗ and look pretty good.

tourdelivermore said:

Last year I was at the Skinny Tire Bike Festival in Moab. CTS had provided "coaches" for all of us to engage with before, during and after the ride for tips and advice.

As it turns out, the "coaches" weren't the least bit interested in engaging the riders. They kept to themselves, road in a group and were pretty much not-egnaged with the rest of us.

I know Chris Carmichael is Lance's coach, but the visible product of coaching and training videos leaves alot to be desired. He is going to have to "step it up" if he wants a growing business once Lance rides off into the sunset.

Tour- what you describe is not a rare occurrence at all. In my sports experience, the marketing of training programs and camps is a often big line of [censored]. I've personally seen it in tennis, ice hockey and skateboarding where these training camps milk the [censored] out of a big name pro who shows up for a 60 or 90 minute clinic in a 10 day program ... What you describe is garbage on CTS's part and they should definitely be called out on it ...

But as far as the CTS videos go, I'm not convinced that they're bad at all. For example, I have the Time Trial video. When training indoors, I hate the way bike trainers tear up tires - so I purposely train at high cadence intervals with low resistance - using the highest possible cadence I can perform for the interval. I've found that when I use my video to train this way, CTS's Time Trial video really puts a spark in my legs after only a few rounds and I do notice a difference.

3_days said:

When training indoors, I hate the way bike trainers tear up tires - so I purposely train at high cadence intervals with low resistance - using the highest possible cadence I can perform for the interval.

There are a few other solutions to tearing up tires on trainers. You can try electrical, duct or masking tape. Just put a layer or two around the tire and peel off when you're done. If that doesn't cause traction issues, problem solved. Or if you have an old set of wheels, put the crappiest tire you own on the back wheel and swap that in when you are going to use the trainer. Other solutions include rollers and rim based trainers.

gruppo said:

If you are considering the purchase of this product, I would strongly suggest that you buy just one to see exactly what you are getting, and determine if they add any real value to your training program.

That is the approach I would recommend for most any purchase. Taking a look at online reviews and discussion forums like this one can help ensure that your purchases are beneficial to your specific needs.

sv650s said:

Has anyone tried the Spinervals DVD's?

I know that they are from everestfilms.comeverestfilms.comOpen ↗ and look pretty good.

I have one of those, and many of the CTS video comments made above could also be made about the Spinervals videos. It's a video of some people riding bikes while music plays and a clock counts down in the corner. If that's interesting, motivating or entertaining then fine, but if you're looking for a training program then buy a book or hire a coach.

i actually love the CTS videos so much that i watch them even when i'm not riding🙄

frenchcycling said:

i actually love the CTS videos so much that i watch them even when i'm not riding🙄

The women are better looking on my Spinerval DVD than my CTS video, so at least that helps keep it interesting. I think my wife would get too suspicious if I started watching it while I wasn't riding, though. 🙂