# FTP fun, and training plans gone awry **URL:** \ **Category:** Training\ **Created:** [May 28, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/ftp-fun-and-training-plans-gone-awry/16454 "2019-05-28T15:12:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 2
**Author:** ![bbarrera](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bbarrera/32/14734_2.png) [@bbarrera](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/bbarrera)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/ftp-fun-and-training-plans-gone-awry/16454/2 "2019-05-28T15:43:39Z")
> [@MarkS](#): > > Over this period Ramp tests have shown a steady, slow reduction of a handful of watts per test; Thing is, I don’t feel weaker, I feel like I’m ‘failing’ the ramp test. At about 330watts or so the legs just can’t go anymore. A couple of things, from one diesel to another: - my understanding is that ramp tests are designed to predict max aerobic power, and from what I’ve seen the TR ramp is pretty good at setting a ceiling on 5-min vo2max power - TR uses 120% work intervals for vo2max, based on the [assumption FTP is 78-85% vo2max power](https://blog.trainerroad.com/how-vo2-max-work-makes-you-fast-the-science-behind-it-all/) and more precisely **120% level is for someone with FTP at 83% vo2max power** ( 1 / .83 = 120%) So if you fall into the 78-85% bell curve, then vo2 work at 120% is challenging but not crushing. - its really easy for me to ‘detrain my vo2max’ and when I do its not uncommon for FTP to be 90% of vo2max (based on 5-min best power from ramp test, and FTP from sweet spot or TT effort) - When FTP is 90% vo2max, I’m an outlier from TR vo2 work interval assumptions and doing the same math as TR, my vo2 power for intervals should be 111% ( 1 / .9 ) - 111% is achieved by reducing intensity down to 93% for vo2max workout that use 120% work intervals ( 111% = 120 \* .93) - before understanding all the above, I independently confirmed setting intensity to 92% or 93% to be my max repeatable vo2 power when in a detrained state (FTP = .9 \* vo2max) If your FTP is close to 5-min vo2max power, then the default 120% VO2 work intervals will crush you and its time to dial down the intensity. I’ve also “failed” some of my ramp tests, however I like doing the ramp test to assess 5-min power, and another test (or manually estimate) for FTP. That way I can keep track of my vo2 weakness relative to FTP. I’ve been able to raise vo2max such that FTP is 83-85% and when I do the ramp test is a good predictor of FTP. But sometimes even at 88% the ramp test gives a good estimate of FTP. Haven’t really figured out why some of them fail, but unlike you when I fail its because I can’t catch my breath (and not legs). Another interesting post is from @stevemz over on this thread: [Ramp test under achiever - #28 by stevemz](https://www.trainerroad.com/forumt/ramp-test-under-achiever/8092/28) Hope that makes sense, and helps. --- _[View the full topic](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/ftp-fun-and-training-plans-gone-awry/16454)._