FTP stands for Functional Threshold Power and estimates the highest average power can sustain for one hour, measured in watts. For cycling, FTP is a measure of fitness and an important metric that indicates the amount of work you can sustain for long durations. Additionally, it’s used to determine power zones that are used in training.
Power meters are the only objective way to measure cycling performance and have revolutionized how cyclists train. How much do you know about power meters and how to use them?
Every cyclist has strengths and weaknesses. The good news is that specific types of fitness are highly trainable. How do you use a power curve to discover what you’re good at, what needs work, and what can you do with that information?
Special Guest 4iiii’s Scott Cooper joins the team to discuss all things power meters, including how power meters are made, calibration, and what the future of power meters may look like. Tune in to hear Scott’s insights in episode 229 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast!
There are a ton of equipment combos you can use to get started training with power. While some setups are more popular than others (check out the three most popular indoor training setups among TrainerRoad users), more often than not the equipment you already have, or are looking to invest in, is exactly what you…
With VirtualPower®, you don’t need a power meter to get the benefits of structured indoor power-based training. It’s unanimous, the primary metric to train with today is power. But power meters are pricey, and not everyone is ready to invest in one. The good news is you no longer need one! VirtualPower allows you to…
Power is the only objective metric you can use to train with. Other metrics — distance, heart rate, RPE — are subjective. This isn’t newfound knowledge. Most cyclists know this, but there are far fewer cyclists who have spent the time to really get it. So why is having more than a baseline understanding of…
Question: Is it truly better to train by ‘power’ vs. heart rate especially with a focus on stage racing and endurance races? What are the benefits and what are the cons if any to training based on power? Answer: Training with power has numerous benefits that can get you faster on the bike for both long distance(4+…