Official TrainerRoad Recommendations from: Ramp Test FAQ
“It’s not required to do a workout after the Ramp Test. But for riders who want to get a little work in, we recommend actively recovering for 10-15 minutes followed by one of these workouts”
It’s worth noting that when the whole ramp test thing was in its infancy and being discussed on the Slowtwitch forums, Coggan was quite adamant that a ramp test puts your body into a deep and serious stress response. I wouldn’t want to do anything more than a 15-20 min spin at less than 40% FTP afterwards.
That’s an interesting twist. Curious to hear the TR coaches on this question. While they did introduce the TR ramp test with talk about it allowing for other workouts after, it’s also noteworthy that now the ramp test is in the actual plans it’s solo on its prescribed days. @Nate_Pearson, @Jonathan?
@dbf an additional workout is a valid option and even encouraged if folks don’t feel the ramp test gave them enough training stress.
It’s always wise to favor a conservative approach though, and after that hard effort, the best approach may be calling it a day after the Ramp Test. YMMV, and this is another one of those “listen to your body” scenarios.
Also make sure you cool down after your ramp test. Coggan’s comment was spurred by one of our agents saying “We don’t make you cool down” after the ramp test. He thought not having a cool down was not smart at all.
While technically true we don’t hand cuff you to your bike we do guide you through a cool down.
If you think about it, the ramp test is no harder than you often go in races, and you often go that deep multiple times in a race. I think you even go that hard trying to get Strava KOMs :-D.
I dunno how you all do a sweet spot workout after even a ramp test - I’m usually pretty blown. Which is why my favorite workout after ramping is Taku. Adds a little stress and calorie burn to make the test feel perfectly complemented.
Agreed, @sperho. Frankly, if you can do a Sweet Spot workout after a ramp test, I wonder if you truly went as deep as you need to go during the ramp test to get the best estimate of your FTP. I’m sure that a highly conditioned athlete could struggle through and survive some SST work post-ramp-test (and after 15 minutes of easy, easy spinning), but if you go that route and sail through your Sweet Spot intervals, I highly recommend repeating the ramp test and pushing yourself harder.
I usually look at what I will be doing next Tuesday, for example say Bashful +1, so VO2 intervals. Then, I pedal easily until minute 30, then I do a 1 hour easy aerobic ride, e.g., Pettit, and then I do a 30 minutes workout that is similar to what I will be facing next Tuesday, in this case Bashful -3.
No additional workout after the ramp test for me. But I’d like to do the LSCT warmup (the original one, with intervals of 4, 4 and 3 minutes long, the current warmup is 6/6/3) to get a sense of how rested I am.
Does that make sense / would it influence the outcome of the test much?