# Perceived exertion: VO2 max vs. Threshold workouts **URL:** \ **Category:** Training\ **Created:** [March 22, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perceived-exertion-vo2-max-vs-threshold-workouts/31866 "2020-03-22T13:24:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RidesToday](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ridestoday/32/14344_2.png) [@RidesToday](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/RidesToday)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perceived-exertion-vo2-max-vs-threshold-workouts/31866/1 "2020-03-22T13:24:26Z")
I am DYING during “threshold workouts” and twiddling my thumbs during “VO2max workouts”. My garmin rates the threshold workouts and VO2max and the VO2max workouts are usually something else, like tempo. I’m not sure if Garmin and TR matching up matters. The rest of my workouts seem spot on; hard but doable, so I feel like my FTP is accurate. Last year my fitness lab test ranked my VO2max in the top 5% but my lactate threshold was average. Could that have something to do with the difference in perception? Is this normal? Does it matter? Should I adjust the intensity when I do these workouts? ---
**Author:** ![DaveWh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/davewh/32/13120_2.png) [@DaveWh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveWh)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perceived-exertion-vo2-max-vs-threshold-workouts/31866/2 "2020-03-22T13:41:57Z")
> [@RidesToday](#): > > I am DYING during “threshold workouts” Your FTP is likely set too high, and you do relatively better at VO2max efforts vs threshold. There’s many threads on the forum about this topic. Here’s a few. There are a lot of others. > [@Fractional Utilization of VO2 Max](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/fractional-utilization-of-vo2-max/8629): > > In podcast #189 Chad discusses fractional utilization to try and help to determine whether you should focus more on VO2 intervals versus FTP intervals. I found it a little confusing. Can anyone give me an idiots guide to this > [@Harsh Reality - You OVER test on FTPs (support group)](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/harsh-reality-you-over-test-on-ftps-support-group/10342): > > WHO ELSE SUFFERS OR HAS SUFFERED WITH THIS CONDITION Thoughts that you MAY have a problem: Did I actually over achieve on the Ramp Test and reach a higher FTP than I can train with? No way, you can’t “overdo” the ramp test! You are awesome and your FTP is NOT too high: You struggle through week 1 of the plan, burying yourself and grinding through intervals so you can hold on to this great new FTP. You finish the first few workouts, barely, but at what cost? You’re overreaching: Eventu… > [@Ramp Test vs 20 Minute FTP Test vs 8 Minute FTP Test](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/ramp-rest-vs-20-minute-ftp-test-vs-8-minute-ftp-test/9297): > > Do you find your Ftp results differ greatly when comparing these two tests or are the results coming out about the same??? ---
**Author:** ![PusherMan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/pusherman/32/4266_2.png) [@PusherMan](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/PusherMan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perceived-exertion-vo2-max-vs-threshold-workouts/31866/3 "2020-03-22T13:53:14Z")
> [@RidesToday](#): > > Last year my fitness lab test ranked my VO2max in the top 5% but my lactate threshold was average. Could that have something to do with the difference in perception? Is this normal? Does it matter? Should I adjust the intensity when I do these workouts? Have you set your FTP to the numbers you achieved in this test? This could be an issue as I’d imagine the kit they used to test you is calibrated to a higher standard than most of us average Joes achieve. You also mention the test was done last year. When? Have you ridden or trained consistently since that test? If I’m honest I think you’ve also answered your own question. The test showed that your VO2 was top draw but your threshold required work. You’re in a brilliant position, you KNOW what needs doubling down on 👍 ---
**Author:** ![RidesToday](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ridestoday/32/14344_2.png) [@RidesToday](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/RidesToday)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perceived-exertion-vo2-max-vs-threshold-workouts/31866/4 "2020-03-22T14:11:45Z")
The threshold workouts are the only ones like this. I’m fine for all the others, and increase intensity from time to time, I don’t think my FTP is too high if I only struggle once every couple of weeks. I think I just need to lower the intensity on these workouts, but I’m not sure by how much. So, it sounds like focusing on threshold is a good idea. How can I be sure I’m doing that. Should I adjust the intensity of the workout until Garmin rates the workout as threshold? ---
**Author:** ![harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@harrington](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/harrington)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/perceived-exertion-vo2-max-vs-threshold-workouts/31866/5 "2020-03-22T15:26:21Z")
Are you training at threshold or not?? …ignore garmin