TrainerRoad is now available for all current iOS devices including iPad! We’ve been hard at work to make sure that we make the iPad experience as good as it can possibly be, and we’ve even been able to sneak in some cool new features. But before we get into all of that, let’s take a look at the basics.
Compatibility
TrainerRoad is compatible with iPad 2 or newer and all iPad Mini models. If you have Bluetooth Smart devices, you can simply pair right up to your devices without any keys or dongles. The only exception to this is the iPad 2 since it does not support Bluetooth Smart.
Here’s what you will need in order to use TrainerRoad with your ANT+ devices:
iPad 2, iPad 3rd Generation
iPad 4th Generation, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3
Most Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ devices can be used with iOS just as they can on our desktop app. There are a few exceptions, but we are working to support the same devices across both platforms.
Features
The iPad experience is very similar to what you find on iPhone, meaning that you will have the same clean interface and easy-to-navigate menu, but at a larger size.
This larger screen size increases legibility and it also allows for a few, cool new features.
Side-by-Side Menus
iPad specific navigation makes it even easier to pair devices and find workouts.
Landscape Mode
Landscape mode will increase the legibility of the data & text on your screen and make it easier to use TrainerRoad with most stand cases.
Lap Data
Swiping left on the center of your screen allows you to see all the data from your previous interval, and swiping right will show you the running averages of same data.
The touch interface, simplicity and bigger screen size of the iPad makes using TrainerRoad even easier. We’ve been using it here at TrainerRoad HQ with our custom-made mounts, or our cases that have built-in stands, and we think the iPad is a really great way to use TrainerRoad. We hope you’ll feel the same!
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Nice app!
How can I upload my rides to Garmin Connect with the IPAD app?
You can read the TR FAQ here on how to MANUALLY upload your TR workout to Garmin Connect: http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/202031490-Garmin-Connect
I personally have been using an AUTOMATED sync via http://www.tapiriik.com . Extremely easy to set up and works like a charm with multiple other platforms (Strava, RunKeeper, etc.).
Hey There,
Chip covered it well. 🙂
We plan on making a cleaner sync solution very soon!
A sync option, other than manual, will be greatly appreciated!
It’ll definitely be automated. 🙂
All very nice, but it still seems like a retrograde step from the PC version, with video syncing? You must be putting a lot of time and effort in on this – but to what end? The only real adavantage was going to be the ability to queue video workouts – but this doesnt even sync with one?
I’m still a TR (PC version) fan, but really struggling to understand the motivation for this step back in functionality with ios
Dave.
Hey Dave,
Those are great points and I can see how it would seem that way, but this is another step towards implementing many more features, such as improved video feedback.
Our desktop app was built on a different code base that made adding new features and fixing bugs much more difficult than it should have been. Consequently, we’ve been writing a new code base from scratch that will let us add new features across a bunch of platforms in much less time.
Our next focus is moving the desktop app to the new codebase, and it will have all the features you currently enjoy, plus more. It will be a much better experience for ya!
Thanks for update Jonathan, much appreciated.
Dave.
Sure thing Dave. Happy training!
Hi, any plans of integrating the TR ipad app with Sufferfest ipad app to get them to sync with eachother?
Hey Jason,
We video integration is high on our list of features to add. We’ll be working on bringing our desktop app onto our new codebase and simultaneously solving some of the challenges that will come with better video integration.
hi,
Missing this, in both iPhone and iPad Apps:
– Chose Plan, then having all its Workouts in a List
– spindown to calibrate kickr
– career summary
Cheers
Mario
Hey Mario,
Those are amongst our most highly requested features and we are working on getting those built soon.
– Chose Plan, then having all its Workouts in a List (We are planning a really cool calendar feature that will make choosing and following a training plan really easy)
– spindown to calibrate kickr (in-app spindown calibration is a feature we are planning to build in the very near feature)
– career summary (I assume you are referring to a more robust analytics suite that could give you more detailed or customized overviews of your current and past fitness. That’s on the list too, but let me know if I missed the boat on this one).
Will this work with and control a Computrainer? I’m guessing not.
Hey Mike,
Unfortunately not. The wired nature of the computrainer holds it back from connecting to iOS devices.
For mounting the iPad, I have been using an inexpensive microphone stand and a Peavey iPad holder like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A6T1G9Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works great, very stable, can put the stand wherever needed in front of me or to the side, high or low, don’t have to worry about getting sweat all over the display.
Thanks for sharing the link!
Can you run a Sufferfest video you have on the iPad while doing the workout? If you don’t have this feature the rest seems a little pointless. If I have to use my laptop to watch the video I might as well just use the PC app. This is true for all training videos.
Hey Josh,
Not yet. There are some tricky things to workout with how you get the videos on your device and how that works with The Sufferfest’s business model.
We’ll find a clean solution 🙂
Also very anxious to get this done Jonathan, would appreciate any amount of moving up the prioritzation list. I’ve tried running the TR workout on my ipad and the video on my PC but the get out of sync which is very frustrating (probably because my video card on the PC is slow but I can’t buy a new PC just to watch SF videos).
Love it. Couple of quick questions. Does this work with the Garmin Ant+ dongle?
As for other comments in this thread, as a user of both the Mac and PC version, I would note that in terms of developer resources, making this work on the iOS will actually benefit all users in the long run. Sometimes you have to take a step backwards (train slow) to move forward (race faster).
Give it time and a chance.
FWIW, my primary use device for TrainerRoad is a Surface Pro 3 (and I have to jump through hoops to make that work, not because of TR issues, but because of fundamental flaws in the implementation of Bluetooth LE on the Surface). That experience has completely sold me on the tablet as the best experience for TR in the long run, so I am in 100% support of this work.
Thanks for the comment Dru!
We really mean it when we say we feel the same way about training with a tablet. It’s a vastly improved experience!
This will only work with the Wahoo ANT+ dongle.
Thank you.
Queuing workouts would be nice, but I was so tired of dealing with a sideways iPad. Now if I just had a way to attach it to my bars…
Hey Greg,
Agreed! Of all the features that will be rolling out now that things are moving over to this new codebase, having my workouts scheduled in a queue may be the one I am personally most excited for.
I picked up a slim case from Amazon and made my own mountable case for my Garmin mount. Not sure if you’ve seen this link, but these are the steps I followed, but just with a different case.
https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/custom-phone-mount/
So my Suunto dongle will not work for this application?
Hey Dwight,
The Suunto ANT+ USB dongle will work on desktop, but not in this case. The Wahoo ANT+ key is the only one that will work for iOS devices.
Looks great as an option while watching races or movies on a separate screen. Presently using a small screen, so using the iPad will free up some screen space.
I’ll be back to the shared screen when running SF and the like. But they are such a small amount of the TR training workouts. I don’t see a problem.
Thanks!
Glad it can help your training Jonathan!
Nice name btw. 😉
As far as I can see the IPad app doesn’t support all the same trainers that the other versions. Any reason for this? I have a Tranx trainer, but I cannot find it in the list.
Not Tranx, but Tranzx
Hey Kjell,
Although it looks like it may have changed, we’ve just simplified the naming conventions on the VirtualPower profiles. Although it says “Tranzx JD111 (Level 2) [PowerTap]” on the desktop app, the same power curve is just more simply named “JD111” and nested under the “Tranzx” manufacturer category on iOS.
The problem is that I cannot find any option for Tranzx at all! On IPad that is. On IPhone I can find it, but not no IPad.
Okay, thanks for the info Kjell.
Would you mind logging out of your profile in the app and then logging back in?
We’ve tried it on five iPads here at the office and Tranzx is a selectable manufacturer, so it seems like the full list of VirtualPower profiles didn’t download all the way.
If that doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
It worked! Thanks a million!
Thanks Jonathan. Is this new release Airplay-optimized?
As for SF video integration, I’m also one of those waiting patiently as I do lots of TR and SF workouts. I’ve seen an app that can redirect the video to the external screen and leave other displays on the IOS device via Airplay. Be nice to see something similar with TR.
It’s our pleasure Francis!
It isn’t optimized for AirPlay, but it is fully capable of being mirrored to your TV via an Apple TV. That’s actually how I work out most days 🙂
Can / will the iPad and iphone apps be able to rebroadcast power over ant to my garmin edge?
Hey Tony,
For our desktop app, we currently have this feature and it’s called “TrainerRelay”.
We don’t have plans to implement this feature on iOS devices due to the fact that we will be building a sync system that will sync your TR workouts with other services like Garmin Connect, Strava, Training Peaks, etc.
Would you feel like an automated sync system would remove the need to rebroadcast data to your head unit?
I’ve been waiting my whole life for this! Thanks!
Quick question……will only the Wahoo Ant+ dongle work or will the Garmin Ant+ dongle also work?
Ignore that question……I probably should have read the comments first!
For those of you looking for a way to attach an ipad to your bars…..there’s this:
http://www.mec.ca/product/5038-717/lifeproof-nuud-ipad-234-case/?q=ipad
Never tried it myself, a tad pricey, but it’s shockproof and waterproof…..two things which would come in handy on the trainer.
sorry…..wrong item.
http://www.amazon.com/Tacx-Handlebar-Bracket-for-Tablets/dp/B00GO4WDZ6
Compatibility question. I have an ipad 2 I would like to use however I use the wahoo Bluetooth speed and cadence not ANT plus, Is there an adapter for Bluetooth?
Thanks
Hey Jerry,
Unfortunately not. However, Wahoo has a new speed/cadence sensor that is Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ compatible. You could use an ANT+ compatible speed sensor and the dongle mentioned in the article with your iPad 2.
Hi, can you let me know if/when ERG mode will be supported for the Kickr?
Hey Guy,
ERG mode is supported :).
Currently, you can’t manually change from one mode to another in the iOS app, but the functionality still works during things like FTP testing.
We plan on adding the ability to manually change the mode of the KICKR in iOS like you currently can on desktop.
Slope mode on the iPad yet?
Hey There,
See my previous response to Guy.
“Currently, you can’t manually change from one mode to another in the iOS app, but the functionality still works during things like FTP testing.
We plan on adding the ability to manually change the mode of [an electronic trainer] in iOS like you currently can on desktop.”
I don’t hear the beeps 3 second before the change of intervals, is that normal? It would be great cuz I watch tv during the workout and would like to know when to get ready.
Hey Tony,
No audio cues yet, but that is in our plans!
Are the training plans available on the iPad version? I’m not finding them. Thanks!
Hey Eric,
Training plans will be accessible in the iOS app in an upcoming release. No ETA on this as we may lump it in with a bigger update. Stay tuned!
Incomplete, unfinished version of TRoad just to attrack new riders. $$.
How about skipping forward an interval or just selecting a point of time where to skip. Useful e.g. in a case of sw crash to continue where left or to skip some intervals in case you want to skip the warm-up or just skip some intervals.
Hey Timo,
That’s a good idea, and a very commonly requested feature. We’ll be adding that one in at some point.
In the case of a crash or interruption of a ride, you can go into your career, select the interrupted ride, tap on the three dots and then select “Finish Ride”.
The ride fast-forward/rewind option will be a great addition. 🙂
We are not as cool as iOs users, but we are many more. Hope you will not forget us.
Regards,
The Android Users
Definitely not forgotten 🙂
Is it possible to manually zero a power meter using the app? Perhaps I’m being dopey.
Hey There,
Not yet, but that feature will make it’s way onto iOS.
Jonathan:
Further your response to Guy, does this mean that if the workout is setup in ERG mode it will run as such on the iPad? And does this explain why the last workout I selected (Homer’s Nose) did not run in ERG, b/c it was designed to make me change cadence to change power level?
Looking forward to next update with this selection feature added.
Mark
Hey Mark,
Yep! You’ve got it.
Hoping to be able to use this just for travel on gym or hotel spin bikes. Does that work and if so what device would I need? Thanks!
Hey Leslie,
Depending on the spinbike it can be very easy, or pretty difficult.
If it is a Wattbike, then you can pick up the wireless power data via ANT+. If it isn’t a Wattbike, then you can track heart rate, but that’s about it.
We hope more gym spinbikes will start to use open wireless protocols like ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart in the future so something like this will be easier. 🙂
Did I get it right that now the iPad/iPhone app supports Cycleops Powerbeam/Powersync electronic trainer both in ANT and Bluetooth?
Thanks,
Hey There,
Those trainers aren’t supported on iOS devices yet. They use a slightly different implementation of the ANT+ protocol, so we have to build specifically for those devices. We do plan to support those devices on iOS in the near future.
Is there still an intention to support Powerbeam Pro and iOS? As far as I can tell they are still not quite working together.
Thanks
Guys please get this working on Android too asap. The world doesn’t revolve around Apple. Any new supporting apps in the pipework?
Hey Chris,
For a development shop the size of ours, it’s an all-consuming undertaking to build for a new platform. We do plan to build for Android at some point, but we need to move our desktop app to our new codebase and build out additional features that are long-awaited beforehand.
We don’t have any supporting apps in the pipeline, but the aforementioned “additional features” are going to be very big additions to TrainerRoad. 🙂
Hi, Will trainerroad work with bluetooth low energy BLE on iOS or does it require Ant +? thanks!
Hey Eric,
Yep! BLE (Bluetooth Smart/Bluetooth 4.0) is one of the biggest draws about using your iPad or iPhone. More and more wireless cycling devices are shipping as dual-band ANT+/BLE capable devices, and not having to use any dongles is pretty cool. 🙂
Let’s say I can’t complete a section of an interval workout, is there a way to advance the ride to start off where I ended in the iPad app?
Thanks,
Ed
Disregard my question. I see that it’s not offered yet and the option is to return to Career History, Select ride and the Finish ride.
Thanks,
Hi a few questions if I may?
On the iOS app with there any way to fast forward or skip back in the workout yet?
Is there any way to switch from erg to resistance mid workout?
On the FTP tests when it switches from Erg to Resistance it delivers an impossible resistance (60 on my Tacx Genius) and I just slip on the trainer even in bottom gear. Is there a way to set a default resistance, or to get slope mode? Is there any work around for this or do I need to do the whole test session on resistance mode,?
I have the same experience/problem when recently doing the 8 min test using Android app. At the beginning of the test, it switch to resistance 60 and it took a minute or two to understand what was going on and fiddle with the setting (lower from 60) and then I was ruined. Last season I did the 8 min test on Ipad and PC platforms and do not recall this issue then. What is different I wonder?
I’ve created a workout using workout builder on PC however this workout has not been synced to the ipad app. Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks
Hi Mark,
Sorry to hear about the issues with your custom workout!
After creating a custom workout, make sure to have published the newly created ride. All you need to do to publish the ride is select the “Publish” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the Custom Workouts Creator app after designing your workout.
After that, go to the TrainerRoad app, navigate to the “Workouts” tab of the app, and refresh the page (swipe down to initiate the refresh). At the top of this screen you’ll see the search field, “Favorite Workouts”, “Team Workouts”, and “Custom Workouts”. You’ll find your newly constructed workout in this section of the app. 🙂
If you have any issues getting this process dialed in, please shoot us an email at support@trainerroad.com and we’ll be happy to help you through it.
Thanks Mark!
Hi guys,
Can you enable iPad Pro to have trainer road in minimised mode so we can watch entertainment on it as well?
Thanks.
Hey Ian!
We have plans on the horizon to improve the mobile app, and this is one of the things we are looking into 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion!