Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- Power-to-weight ratio is a useful measurement of how efficiently your body utilizes its mass to produce power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maximizing overall power is more crucial than weight for optimal cycling performance in most scenarios.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Some athletes use power-to-weight as a reason to fixate on weight, but this is often counterproductive and unhealthy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Almost every athlete can improve their power-to-weight ratio with structured training and a sensible diet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
What is Power-to-Weight Ratio (Watts per kilogram)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPower-to-weight ratio is a measurement of your power on the bike, in comparison to your body weight. It is expressed as watts of cycling power produced per kilogram of body weight, abbreviated as W\/kg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Larger riders tend to be more powerful than smaller cyclists in absolute terms, but lighter riders require less power to overcome inertia and propel themselves forward (especially uphill). Power-to-weight ratio thus offers a fairer way to compare the abilities of riders with varying body weights than by looking at power alone. More importantly, it also allows cyclists to better understand the nuance of their own cycling performance, as changes in fitness often occur in tandem with changes in body weight. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n <\/div>\n \n Adaptive Training<\/p>\n
Get the right workout, every time<\/strong>\n with training that adapts to you.<\/p>\n Check Out TrainerRoad<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat are the Watts<\/em> in Watts per kilogram?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWatts are the standard measurement of power generated by a rider while riding a bike. While metrics such as heart rate and speed are subject to outside influence, power is objective and comparable in any condition. Technically speaking, a watt is a measurement of energy transfer and is measured in real-time while cycling with a power meter. Most commonly, the watts in W\/kg refers to your sustainable power, (FTP)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFTP Testing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Knowing your power-to-weight ratio requires knowing your FTP, or functional threshold power. TrainerRoad uses AI to detect your FTP in the background, even if you aren\u2019t doing all-out efforts. This means you\u2019ll always have an accurate record of your W\/kg for when it is useful. See what your FTP is now and begin your journey to getting faster!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is my W\/kg?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo calculate your W\/kg, simply divide your FTP by your weight in kilograms. TrainerRoad displays your power-to-weight ratio using this formula at the top right of the career page. Or use our calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"power](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
An athlete’s FTP, weight, and watts\/kg as displayed on TrainerRoad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nUsing your Power Curve<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Power-to-weight ratio can also be useful to consider at other time durations, from short sprints to ultra-endurance rides. Finding your power-to-weight ratio for these time increments is the same as for FTP: divide your maximal power over your chosen time duration by your body weight in kg. You can then track changes over time as your weight and fitness varies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find your maximal power for other durations, use the Personal Records<\/a> chart. By hovering your mouse over any point on the curve, you can see your best effort for that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Personal Records chart with a mouseover on the rider’s best 5 minute power.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n \n <\/div>\n \n Adaptive Training<\/p>\n
Get the right workout, every time<\/strong>\n with training that adapts to you.<\/p>\n Check Out TrainerRoad<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSample Power-to-Weight Ratios<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The table below shows a sample range of power-to-weight ratios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Power-to-Weight Ratio (Watts per kilogram)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPower-to-weight ratio is a measurement of your power on the bike, in comparison to your body weight. It is expressed as watts of cycling power produced per kilogram of body weight, abbreviated as W\/kg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Larger riders tend to be more powerful than smaller cyclists in absolute terms, but lighter riders require less power to overcome inertia and propel themselves forward (especially uphill). Power-to-weight ratio thus offers a fairer way to compare the abilities of riders with varying body weights than by looking at power alone. More importantly, it also allows cyclists to better understand the nuance of their own cycling performance, as changes in fitness often occur in tandem with changes in body weight. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n <\/div>\n \n Adaptive Training<\/p>\n
Get the right workout, every time<\/strong>\n with training that adapts to you.<\/p>\n Check Out TrainerRoad<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat are the Watts<\/em> in Watts per kilogram?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWatts are the standard measurement of power generated by a rider while riding a bike. While metrics such as heart rate and speed are subject to outside influence, power is objective and comparable in any condition. Technically speaking, a watt is a measurement of energy transfer and is measured in real-time while cycling with a power meter. Most commonly, the watts in W\/kg refers to your sustainable power, (FTP)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFTP Testing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Knowing your power-to-weight ratio requires knowing your FTP, or functional threshold power. TrainerRoad uses AI to detect your FTP in the background, even if you aren\u2019t doing all-out efforts. This means you\u2019ll always have an accurate record of your W\/kg for when it is useful. See what your FTP is now and begin your journey to getting faster!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is my W\/kg?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo calculate your W\/kg, simply divide your FTP by your weight in kilograms. TrainerRoad displays your power-to-weight ratio using this formula at the top right of the career page. Or use our calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAn athlete’s FTP, weight, and watts\/kg as displayed on TrainerRoad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nUsing your Power Curve<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Power-to-weight ratio can also be useful to consider at other time durations, from short sprints to ultra-endurance rides. Finding your power-to-weight ratio for these time increments is the same as for FTP: divide your maximal power over your chosen time duration by your body weight in kg. You can then track changes over time as your weight and fitness varies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find your maximal power for other durations, use the Personal Records<\/a> chart. By hovering your mouse over any point on the curve, you can see your best effort for that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Personal Records chart with a mouseover on the rider’s best 5 minute power.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n \n <\/div>\n \n Adaptive Training<\/p>\n
Get the right workout, every time<\/strong>\n with training that adapts to you.<\/p>\n Check Out TrainerRoad<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSample Power-to-Weight Ratios<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The table below shows a sample range of power-to-weight ratios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adaptive Training<\/p>\n
Get the right workout, every time<\/strong>\n with training that adapts to you.<\/p>\n Check Out TrainerRoad<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Watts are the standard measurement of power generated by a rider while riding a bike. While metrics such as heart rate and speed are subject to outside influence, power is objective and comparable in any condition. Technically speaking, a watt is a measurement of energy transfer and is measured in real-time while cycling with a power meter. Most commonly, the watts in W\/kg refers to your sustainable power, (FTP)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing your power-to-weight ratio requires knowing your FTP, or functional threshold power. TrainerRoad uses AI to detect your FTP in the background, even if you aren\u2019t doing all-out efforts. This means you\u2019ll always have an accurate record of your W\/kg for when it is useful. See what your FTP is now and begin your journey to getting faster!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n To calculate your W\/kg, simply divide your FTP by your weight in kilograms. TrainerRoad displays your power-to-weight ratio using this formula at the top right of the career page. Or use our calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Power-to-weight ratio can also be useful to consider at other time durations, from short sprints to ultra-endurance rides. Finding your power-to-weight ratio for these time increments is the same as for FTP: divide your maximal power over your chosen time duration by your body weight in kg. You can then track changes over time as your weight and fitness varies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find your maximal power for other durations, use the Personal Records<\/a> chart. By hovering your mouse over any point on the curve, you can see your best effort for that time frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adaptive Training<\/p>\n Get the right workout, every time<\/strong>\n with training that adapts to you.<\/p>\n Check Out TrainerRoad<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The table below shows a sample range of power-to-weight ratios:<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are the Watts<\/em> in Watts per kilogram?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FTP Testing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What is my W\/kg?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"power](\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/power-to-weight-ratio-TrainerRoad-copy.jpg\")
Using your Power Curve<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trainerroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/personal-records-power-curve-1024x550.jpg\")
Sample Power-to-Weight Ratios<\/h4>\n\n\n\n