Keiser M Series 4+

I found this app after attending a spin class that used another Kaiser App to create a class wide “dashboard” on a shared screen attached to the instructor’s laptop.

The app, which is free, offers two FTP tests: a “brief” 30 minute workout that calls for a 5 minutes of all out effort as well as an extended 45 minute workout that calls for a 20 minute all out effort to estimate the users FTP

In addition there are guided sessions for improving endurance, cadence, FTP and VO2 Max. There is no voice over narration for the “guided session” instead there is a combination, bar graph, watt meter and rpm gauge that suggests the optimal gearing and rpm to accomplish the workout. Kaiser has a subscription service that provides traditional narrated workouts..

I’ve used this app for years. It does the job BUT I have a few objections. The app reads everything exactly EXCEPT miles traveled. I think the bike is an analog reading which is a bit variable within each resistance range whereas the app reads a digital reading. After a workout I usually have 1.5 to 2 miles more traveled on the bike versus the app reading. Additionally, if you have to answer the phone or you want to change music etc., the app stops and doesn’t record your progress. I rated this 4 stars but it should be 3.5 because of these issues. The app used to not do these annoying things.

The ability to take an FTP test periodically helps gauge progress. The guided sessions that are tailored to your FTP results are great! The app is a little glitchy though and sometimes has trouble starting up or pauses mid ride. If you open another app, your final data will tracked will be influenced by the time period you ran this app in the background, which is annoying. My biggest gripe though is with the calorie count. Since they have incorporated the Polar heart rate monitor readings in the app and have details from the rider profile, you wouldn’t think it would be too difficult to get accurate calorie counts. It is unclear what if any rider specific data is taken into consideration in the calorie count. Please address this. I wore my Suunto today out of curiosity and there was quite a disparity!!