For a long time I used the Assault Bike by feel. If it felt hard, I assumed I was working. If it felt easy, I pushed harder. That approach led to inconsistent sessions and, eventually, to dreading the machine entirely.
What wattage tracking actually shows you
The Echo Bike and newer Assault Bike models now display wattage in real time. Targeting a specific wattage — say, 180 watts for a moderate aerobic session — removes the guesswork and prevents the early blowup that ruins longer pieces.
This shift toward objective output measurement is relatively recent in CrossFit affiliate culture. Most boxes used to coach by RPE alone. Wattage targets are now appearing in written programming with increasing regularity.
Why this helps people who previously failed
Without a number to anchor to, it is easy to start at a pace you cannot sustain. With a wattage target, you can hold yourself accountable to something measurable rather than something that changes with your mood or fatigue level that day.
The bike did not change. Having a concrete reference point changed how I interacted with it. That distinction is worth sitting with if previous attempts have not gone well.