TrainerRoad AI FTP Prediction FAQs

[Rizzi]

@Twowkg

If the power prescribed is too low to elicit vo2 max then it’s not a vo2 max workout.

You are talking past each other. Let me try to solve the puzzle. After that never-ending discussions about FTP, RPE, Z2, now let’s discuss VO2max.

There is a training zone called VO2max and there is a physiological state VO2max. When prescribing VO2max workouts TR has often said that it’s not all the time about the physiological state but that they are also using this as a training zone to familiarize and train you at higher power and so on. (I guess this is where you are talking past each other)

Going off the rails deeper into that rabbit hole we will find Coggan (such a shame that is no longer on this forum) and that there is nothing special about VO2max:

@The_Cog

On here and many other forums, I see many people seeking the “perfect” training program. As my brilliant wife once pointed out to me, there is no such thing. To reinforce that conclusion, I submit that there are really only three types of workouts (not three training “zones”):

1. Sprint (and/or weight- or plyometric-) training aimed at increasing maximal neuromuscular power;
2. “Go hard, puke, go home” intervals (i.e., high intensity efforts with lots of rest in between), intended to enhance fatigue resistance during non-sustainable exercise; and
3. Everything else, which is meant to improve our ability to perform aerobic exercise.

Recognition of this fact (if you accept the premise anyway) makes it a lot easier to understand why “all roads lead to Rome”.

@The_Cog

VO2max is in 3.