How to Download
From Peaksware Help Center
Methods of Downloading
There are now three different ways to extract data files from electronic training devices.
- FOR SPECIFICS PER MAKE AND MODEL OF DEVICE, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
WKO+
1) You can purchase WKO+, our desktop based deep analysis software, and use this software to directly extract data from your device. If using this option, detailed instructions can be found per device below.
- General instructions are as follows-
- Install the software that came with your device, as this is what contains the drivers (small packets of software that allow your computer to "talk" to your device). Do not run the manufacturers software when trying to download from your Device to WKO+, but it does need to be installed on the same computer as WKO+
- Close all other training related software
- Open WKO+
- Open the WKO+ Home screen
- Connect the download cable to your computer
- Select the correct Training Device Type and Training Device Port (the correct port will have text mentioning "USB", "Serial", or both, in parenthesis off to the right of the com number; or it will default to the correct one that can not be changed)in the Application Settings
- Connect your device and turn it on
- Open your athlete profile
- Open the File menu at the top of the screen and click Training Device Download
- Click Start Downloading int he download window that appears
- Once the files have been extracted from the device, they will be listed by date in the Download Window. Make sure that the athlete profile you want to open it under is highlighted in the left hand navigation box, then double click on a file to open it in WKO+. To save the file, open the File menu and click Save As when viewing the workout file.
For more help and instructions with WKO+, click on the this logo 
For more info on WKO+, go to: http://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/wko/
Device Agent
2) You can download and install our new free upload utility, called Device Agent (note, using WKO+ AND Device Agent is redundant). Device Agent is a new program that replaces the use of Messenger (our old free upload utility, which we have phased out). To obtain our latest version of Device Agent, please follow this link and click the download button: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/deviceagent/ Then, once the program is downloaded on to your computer, open and install the program. Now, open Device Agent, enter in your TrainingPeaks Username and Password, and use it to extract files from your device and upload them in to your TrainingPeaks.com account. Please note that your account must be in a Paid Subscription, or that your account is in the Coached Athlete format for this to work.
Download with the Manufacturers Software
3) The last option is to use the manufacturer's software that came with your electronic training device to extract the data file from the device. Once you have completed the steps necessary to extract the file from your device (each device is different, so consult your specific device's owner's manual), and you have saved it to your computer (we recommend saving it to an easy to remember location, like your desktop), than you can either Import Existing Data to WKO+ or you can upload it to your TrainingPeaks online account through the Upload from Daily Log.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Training With Technology Resources
*Make sure to take a look at our Training With Technology resources pages, which can be found at: http://www.trainingpeaks.com/trainingwithtechnology/
How Actual Uploaded Workouts are Assigned to Planned Workouts in Your TrainingPeaks online account
- When TrainingPeaks receives the data, it checks the day for which the file is set to see if you have any workouts planned. If you do have one planned, it checks to see if the type of workout (bike, run, walk, etc) matches between the designation in the device and that planned in your account. At the same time, it looks to see if there is any ""actual"" data stored yet(meaning you have not done the workout yet), and if the planned duration is similar to the actual duration. If the upload file matches the type of workout (bike, run, etc), there is no file already loaded for that workout in that day, and the duration is similar to what was planned, it will attach the uploaded data to your planned workout. If you don't have a planned workout, it will create a workout automatically for you and store the data.
Why Does Data Extracted from my Training Device Through Device Agent or WKO+ not Match the Numbers I Get When Downloading to that Device's Manufacturer's Software?
Extracted data from Device Agent or WKO+ won't be dead-on exact compared to the Device Manufacturer's Software. This is especially true with GPS enable devices (but applies to all devices), since the GPS devices are able to calculate a more precise location than what they record in the time series data, which is what we mostly use to do calculations. For example, If I go out and do a bike workout using a Garmin Edge 305, the EDGE might read 42.06 miles, but once downloaded the data might show 41.9 miles. To apply a correction to every single reading to force the time-series data to match the overall "lap" data would be sort of fudging. We have decided to stick to showing the raw data, and not try to interpolate what the device thought the raw data meant. Typical discrepancies are within +/- 5%; rounding errors and lots of other things can play into it. We do our best to match manufacturer's data, but after working with many major vendors, you'd be pretty amazed at how much smoothing and adjusting of the "raw" data goes on. We choose to show true "raw" data (if we can get it), instead of adjusted data.
Another reason that Garmin's differ is that the watch may be using Latitude, Longitude, and Altitude to determine the distance traveled (if it doesn't have a wheel sensor or footpod to override the positional calculation internally) when directly displaying data to the user. Garmin Training Center will have it's own method of (re)calculating, etc. WKO+ will use the speed and/or distance values from the file or device if they are provided. If not, WKO+ uses only Latitude and Longitude when determining speed and distance for Garmin devices because the elevation readings are so erratic.
So, devices capable of reading from a wheel sensor or foot pod will produce the most accurate results. The Garmin Forerunner 301 is not so capable, as it is older technology. Thus, if you have a wheel sensor or foot pod, use it!
The Garmin's by the way, do not provide a way for us to tell where the distance and speed values come from, if reported.
Depending upon your firmware and/or version of Garmin Training Center producing the files, or used when first downloading the workout from the device, speed and/or distance may not be provided.
Over time, we have noticed that the underlying sample points issued by the Garmin devices seem to be getting farther from the starting and times of laps. That is, as the functionality has increased, Garmins seem to worry less and less about matching up end points. Recent changes inside WKO+ (and Device Agent) have increased attempts to insert points where they might be missing (such as exactly when a lap starts or ends)and extrapolate the data in between.
Also, a common problem of today’s GPS devices is less than desirable elevation accuracy. This is an inherent problem that plagues GPS devices which is caused by the simple fact that GPS satellites are only above you, and a proper “fix” can never be obtained below you (through the earth) resulting in accuracy that’s roughly 1/2 as good as the horizontal position. What does that mean? Elevation is the least accurate component of a GPS position... leading to obvious inaccuracies in your data files. This is not a bug in the software, but rather just the nature of the GPS Elevation data. We have created a tool in the latest version of WKO+ to help with this issue, called Ground Control; more on Ground Control can be found at http://blog.trainingpeaks.com/2008/01/ground-control-elevation-correction-for-your-gps-device.html
Regarding differences between version of our software - we are mainly interested in knowing that downloads into WKO+ match downloads into Device Agent which should match what is displayed in a TrainingPeaks account online. Likewise, files imported into WKO+ should match those imported directly to the web site. Finally, downloads to WKO+ should very much match imports of the same workout coming from Garmin Training Center (+/- 1 second and including the differences stated above).
General Downloading Tips
If you have any files on your device older than 20 days, there can be complications with the download. I recommend that you delete all the files from your device so that it is completely clear of all recorded workouts, then record a new test file by walking a few minutes down the street, then retry the download. We strongly encourage that you download often and clear the device of recorded workouts after every download.
Also, errors and download problems can occur if your battery is low and needs to be replaced/recharged; double check that your battery is still good/fully charged.
Compatible Devices
- For general upload instructions (ie, how to send data up to your TrainingPeaks online account), go to How to Upload Workout Data.
- For recommended download and upload procedures and instructions per device model, select the Manufacturer below-
