{"id":32950,"date":"2020-05-20T07:56:05","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T14:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.trainerroad.com\/?p=32950"},"modified":"2024-04-18T10:27:54","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T17:27:54","slug":"riding-by-feel-trainerroad-outside-workouts-with-rpe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/riding-by-feel-trainerroad-outside-workouts-with-rpe\/","title":{"rendered":"Riding by Feel: TrainerRoad Outside Workouts With RPE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) is a subjective assessment of how hard you feel like you\u2019re riding. It\u2019s a great way to maintain structure during outside rides when a power meter is not available, and a useful way for riders who do have power meters to get accustomed to riding by feel. TrainerRoad offers all of our Outside Workouts in an RPE-based version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><em>Key Takeaways:<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>RPE based outside workouts allow structured training outside without a power meter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RPE is easy to understand and offers the same benefits as power-based workouts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The same metrics used to guide indoor workouts on the trainer are used outside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintaining structured training all year is the best way to get faster.<br><br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Power-Based Training And RPE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>TrainerRoad workouts and plans are all power-based. Unlike traditional metrics like speed or heart rate, power is an objective measurement unaffected by external factors, and is the gold standard in cycling. For athletes riding indoors who don\u2019t have access to a power meter or smart trainer, TrainerRoad uses VirtualPower, a calculation of power output based on measured speed and resistance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many cyclists prefer to ride outdoors in the warmer months, and athletes who maintain structured training even when riding outside consistently see bigger improvements than those who don\u2019t. Unfortunately, headwinds, hills, and varied surfaces make it impossible to calculate power based on speed outside. Instead, the best option for training outside without a power meter is RPE, or Rate of Perceived Exertion. RPE-based workouts make it easy to follow structured TrainerRoad workouts outdoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How RPE is Measured<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th>RPE Level<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Effort Intensity<\/th><th>Power Zone<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>2<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Recovery<\/td><td>Active Recovery (&lt;55% FTP)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Easy<\/td><td>Warmup\/ Cooldown<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Easy-Moderate<\/td><td>Endurance (55% &#8211; 75% FTP)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Moderate<\/td><td>Tempo\/ Sweet Spot (76% &#8211; 94% FTP)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Moderate-Hard<\/td><td>Threshold (95% &#8211; 105% FTP)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Hard<\/td><td>VO2 Max (106% &#8211; 120% FTP)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">All-Out<\/td><td>Anaerobic Capacity (&gt;120% FTP)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RPE uses a self-assessed 1 to 10 scale to characterize cycling effort intensity. Our chart abbreviates the lowest (easiest) RPE ratings, as it\u2019s hard to actually notice the difference between these easy exertion levels when riding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"at-cta\" class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"adaptive-training-cta-image\">\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"cta__copy\">\n        <p class=\"cta-title\">Adaptive Training<\/p>\n        <p><strong>Get the right workout, every time<\/strong>\n        with training that adapts to&nbsp;you.<\/p>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/adaptive-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"btn btn-primary\">Check Out TrainerRoad<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">RPE-Based Outside Workouts in 3 Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before the Ride<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Before your ride begins, you\u2019ll need to switch your scheduled workout to the outside version and push it to your head unit. Detailed instructions to do this on Garmin devices can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/support.trainerroad.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/360028351772-Pushing-an-Outside-Workout-to-Garmin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>, and details for Wahoo ELEMNT devices can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/support.trainerroad.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/360032515032-Pushing-an-Outside-Workout-to-Wahoo?utm_source=TrainerRoad%20Blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=Outside%20Workouts%3A%20Garmin%20Setup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.&nbsp; Next, view the workout&#8217;s RPE-based instructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1129\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.trainerroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/viewing-rpe-on-trainerroad-desktop-and-mobile-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C564&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Viewing RPE based workout instructions on TrainerRoad\" class=\"wp-image-32989 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/viewing-rpe-on-trainerroad-desktop-and-mobile-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/viewing-rpe-on-trainerroad-desktop-and-mobile-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/viewing-rpe-on-trainerroad-desktop-and-mobile-1024x564.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/viewing-rpe-on-trainerroad-desktop-and-mobile-768x423.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/viewing-rpe-on-trainerroad-desktop-and-mobile-1536x847.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2048px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2048\/1129;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Viewing RPE-Based workout instructions on desktop calendar (left) and on mobile (right).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the TrainerRoad desktop calendar, the option to choose \u201cPower Based\u201d or \u201cRPE Based\u201d should appear in the workout&#8217;s description after choosing the outside option. Clicking \u201cRPE Based\u201d replaces the workout\u2019s power-based instructions with easy to follow RPE instructions. On the TrainerRoad mobile app\u2019s calendar, these instructions appear in the workout\u2019s description after the power-based instructions and you can simply scroll down the text to see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">During the Ride<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>On your Garmin or Wahoo device, RPE-based workouts display exactly as a power-based workout would, with power targets displayed for each interval. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"400\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/rpe-based-training-outside-wahoo-screen.jpg\" alt=\"TrainerRoad Outside Workouts as seen on a Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM\" class=\"wp-image-32993 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/rpe-based-training-outside-wahoo-screen.jpg 825w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/rpe-based-training-outside-wahoo-screen-300x145.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/rpe-based-training-outside-wahoo-screen-768x372.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/400;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Use your familiarity with how these power outputs feel during TrainerRoad indoor workouts as a guideline for your equivalent efforts outside. For instance, knowing how 300 watts feels on the trainer, aim for that same level of exertion during a 300 watt RPE effort outdoors. Don\u2019t stress too much over variability- power targets are not exact goals, and the benefits of a workout will still be achieved if your intervals are not perfectly accurate. Try to be as steady and consistent as you can, within reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After the Ride<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Since RPE-based workouts do not include recorded power data, they will not automatically calculate Training Stress (TSS).  This is an important measure of your training load, and you can manually enter this information after your ride. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1273\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blog.trainerroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/estimate-training-stress-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C636&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Manually adding Training Stress to a TrainerRoad RPE based Outside Workout\" class=\"wp-image-32991 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/estimate-training-stress-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/estimate-training-stress-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/estimate-training-stress-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/estimate-training-stress-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/estimate-training-stress-1536x954.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2048px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2048\/1273;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the top of your workout details, you\u2019ll see a reminder that your ride lacks power data, with a link to estimate training stress. You can do this based on workout intensity, or you can refer to the expected TSS for the scheduled workout you&#8217;ve completed and enter this value. <em>(Note: the workout intensity estimator is based on the overall intensity of the workout, and not the RPE value of specific intervals.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1273\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blog.trainerroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/adding-training-stress-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C636&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Manually adding Training Stress to a TrainerRoad RPE-based Outside Workout\" class=\"wp-image-32992 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/adding-training-stress-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/adding-training-stress-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/adding-training-stress-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/adding-training-stress-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/adding-training-stress-1536x954.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2048px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2048\/1273;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Adding estimated training stress.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Get the Most Out of RPE-Based Workouts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The same general recommendations apply to RPE workouts as any other outdoor workout. Ride <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/tips-for-safe-outside-workouts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">as safely as possible<\/a>, staying attentive to your surroundings and being sure to follow all applicable traffic laws or trail etiquette. Not all roads are suitable for all workouts- for instance, constantly rolling roads can make steady efforts challenging, and steep climbs are not a great place for easy endurance work. For tips on finding good routes for outside workouts, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/outside-workouts-choosing-the-best-routes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pacing and Effort Advice<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>RPE is very subjective, so listen to your body and recognize how your perception can vary depending on circumstance. Steady power often doesn\u2019t feel steady, and the beginning of each interval should feel easier than the end. Also, your first few intervals should usually feel a little easier than you might expect, while your last few should feel harder. If every effort during your workout feels exactly the same, it\u2019s likely you\u2019re not actually working as hard towards the end. Remember also how external factors like fatigue, hunger, and headwinds can affect your perception. The same power output feels much harder at the end of a long week of training than it does when you&#8217;re well-rested. Likewise, poor fueling can dramatically increase the RPE associated with even an easy ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the Instructions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Device manufacturers currently don&#8217;t allow RPE-based instructions to be displayed on head units during your workout. However, RPE-based instructions are available for any scheduled outdoor workout through the calendar on the TrainerRoad mobile app, in addition to the desktop calendar. Give them a read before you head out for your ride, and if you get confused, take a quick break from your workout and check the instructions on your phone. TrainerRoad workouts are quite straightforward and seldom have multiple intervals at widely varied intensities to memorize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Write it Down<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It used to be standard procedure to write workout instructions on a piece of tape and attach it to your stem or top tube. Don\u2019t be afraid to go old school and write yourself some reminders. Masking tape leaves little residue and can easily be written on with a felt-tipped pen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Useful Workouts for Everyone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you are a power meter user, RPE-based workouts can be a good way to help you better learn to ride by feel, a valuable skill for any racer. It\u2019s often difficult to ride to a power target during an event, and knowing how your legs feel and respond at different perceived intensities is a great skill to have. Also, some athletes may only have a power meter on a certain bike, but wish to train or race on other bikes. RPE-based workouts open up the possibility of maintaining structure and better gauging effort across all bikes and disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s true that RPE-based rides aren\u2019t as objectively accurate as workouts recorded on a power meter. But, perception is a better indicator of your exertion than you might think, and riding by feel is an essential skill for every cyclist. Best of all, TrainerRoad Outside Workouts aid in maintaining structured training when riding outside, and even just a few structured workouts a week go a long way towards maintaining your hard-earned fitness and helping you get faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other useful Outside Workouts hints:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/support.trainerroad.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/24512658012955-Activity-Sync-with-Hammerhead\">Outside Workouts: Hammerhead Setup<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/outside-workouts-wahoo-setup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Outside Workouts: Wahoo ELEMNT Setup<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/garmin-edge-the-best-head-unit-setup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Outside Workouts: Garmin Setup<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/tips-for-safe-outside-workouts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tips for safe Outside Workouts<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/riding-indoors-vs-riding-outside-a-comparison\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Riding Indoors Vs. Riding Outside: A Comparison<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>For more cycling training knowledge, listen to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/podcast\">Ask a Cycling Coach \u2014 the only podcast dedicated to making you a faster cyclist<\/a>. New episodes are released weekly.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) is a subjective assessment of how hard you feel like you\u2019re riding. It\u2019s a great way to maintain structure during outside rides when a power meter is not available. TrainerRoad offers all of our Outside Workouts in an RPE-based version.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":33001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":3248,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3248,5],"tags":[174,2697,3190,890,559,3188,629,3189,720],"class_list":["post-32950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outside-workouts","category-training","tag-cycling-training-plan","tag-no-powermeter","tag-outside-workout","tag-power-based-training","tag-rpe","tag-rpe-based-training","tag-structured-training","tag-trainerroad-outside-workout","tag-training-plan"],"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":"","source_text":"","source_url":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32950"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32950\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}