How many train with power?

[DirtyWorks]

I Go Cheap

I train almost exclusively with power as the metric for success.

Many will cringe, but I use the average Watts from the exercise bikes at my gym. I don't care if the number is accurate relevant to a PowerTap or whatever device you like, only that the number is going up over about four week's time. The gym offers me the structure I can't get outside on a bike. I'm time-challenged too, so the gym is practically mandatory.

When I can ride, I know I go faster.

Power training is not for everyone. Some people don't like to focus on Watts increases first, riding second.

 

[JA.Tri]

PTap

Use PowerTap.

It is my preferred metric for training. However...I still use HR as a guide as HR indicates total body stress experienced.

Therefore if W are same but HR elevated I can take that into account and reduce work out duration/increase recovery rest periods.

I second the earlier opinions on reading references, and using power to maintain specific outputs .

Enjoy your training with your new acquisition! Remember, you don't have to refer to the power on each and every ride.

 

[CoachFergie]

I use a powertap and I have riders with SRM, Quarg and Polar powermeters. The instant feedback is awesome for myself and when riders send me their data I can see immediately how well they are responding to the training. I don't get riders to train and race by power but looking at their files I can go through with them and make modifications to how they train and race. For example in a road race I can highlight where the max 60min of power is. Ideally (but at times depending on the course) it should be towards the end of the race as they ramp up towards the finish or should even be far lower than training or FTP as they conserve energy to allow new shorter term peak powers when they make their moves in the racing.

Good to show riders just how little power, strength, force (etc) it actually takes to ride a bike and the real goals for a road cyclist is sustained power.

Has changed the metrics we use to discuss cycling. When I started in the 80s all we had was how many miles covered per week. Now we can break an event down and talk in terms of L4, L5 and L6 power and the importance of each level to each different race and compare this to where the rider is at and where their strengths and weakness lie.

It's a great measurement tool, it's doesn't push the pedals for you and doesn't change the principles of training or training methods but does allow you to understand the demands of the event better, to know where you are at and to prepare more specifically for your goal events.

 

[oldborn]

Does anbody know how many of pros using srm or something else while actually racing, coz of weight issues or just it can be devastating fact when they staring in that for 5 or so hours instead concentrate on road. I must admit that i did not saw them do that a lot. I mean it is a tool for coaches and great tool for training but...

 

[Michele]

@oldborn, the pro guys using the Srm/PT during races probably use them for both reason you said; keep the bike weight at UCI 6.8 rule but also cause sometimes for coaches to have a look at files during races isnt a bad idea.

 

[Indurain]

I'm also saving my pennies for a power meter. I'm looking however at purchasing the Garmin/Metrigear Vector. The power Meter in the pedals. It measures power from both legs which I think will be useful. Plus i can interchange wheels without hassles. I only own the one bike for both training and racing.

Can't wait til it comes out. Now I just need to do heaps of reading.

 

[Michele]

Unluckily the Metrigear (and Polar too) seems quiet far from being ready for market.

I expected at last Eurobike to see a working prototype of Polar but there was just a sample behind a glass.

 

[Darryl Webster]

I use a powertap built into a Mavic Cosmic with a Garmin Edge 705 head unit..cant exactly call my riding these days "training" by comparison with my best years (Nat Squad and Pro in the 80`s) but im totaly convinced there the best aid to structured training ever invented.

 

[oldborn]

I'm also saving my pennies for a power meter. I'm looking however at purchasing the Garmin/Metrigear Vector. The power Meter in the pedals. It measures power from both legs which I think will be useful. Plus i can interchange wheels without hassles. I only own the one bike for both training and racing.

Can't wait til it comes out. Now I just need to do heaps of reading.

Miguel, how much it would cost? It looks nice.

 

[Michele]

They were supposed to show a prototype at Interbike but didnt.

Similar situation for Polar and their Look/Polar powermeter; the only sample was behind a glass and not working.
Price for the Polar is said to be around 1500-1800euro for pedals only.

 

[Boeing]

I haven't bit the bullet on Power measuring devises yet. It is all appealing until have to click on the 'proceed to check out' button knowing you have jack all in tour paypal account.

Besides that I am sure it would only be depressing

 

[For The World]

Wow. I feel so antiquated. I do all my road training (45-50km a day currently) on a fixed gear bike with a 48*17 gear (good for building some strength on the hills), and determine my progress by how fast i complete my ride, how fast I can catch people, and how quickly i return to my resting heart rate (without the use of a heart rate monitor). I don't even have a cycle computer.

Perhaps I should invest in some electronics once i get my BMC SL01 all built up and ready to race. I do work in IT, and I COULD claim it as a work related expense for the purpose of understanding the engineering behind it. Hmmm... intruiging.

 

[elapid]

I have used a wireless PowerTap 2.4 with Zipp 303 wheel for about 4 years. At the time, the only decent choices were either SRM or PT. I couldn't afford an SRM and figured that the Zipp 303s would be a good all-round wheel for training and racing, and therefore would only need one wheel set. I used the PT for training and, in conjunction with coaching from CTS, dramatically improved my strength and endurance as a result of training with power. I would definitely recommend training with power for the best results.

 

[oldborn]

I haven't bit the bullet on Power measuring devises yet. It is all appealing until have to click on the 'proceed to check out' button knowing you have jack all in tour paypal account.

Besides that I am sure it would only be depressing

And lead to sell lcd or plasma tv

 

[veganrob]

It is definitely the best training tool available.

 

[Polyarmour]

I don't have one but I would like on. This morning I could only hit 34km/h on a section that I normally do 44km/h on. There was a slight headwind so maybe that was a factor, it had just rained so maybe that was a factor, legs were a bit sore so maybe that was a factor, air was humid and thick so maybe that was a factor, had a backpack on so maybe that was a factor. Maybe I was actually doing my normal Watts but instead I'm left wondering whether I'm getting a bit weak.

 

[Indurain]

I don't have one but I would like on. This morning I could only hit 34km/h on a section that I normally do 44km/h on. There was a slight headwind so maybe that was a factor, it had just rained so maybe that was a factor, legs were a bit sore so maybe that was a factor, air was humid and thick so maybe that was a factor, had a backpack on so maybe that was a factor. Maybe I was actually doing my normal Watts but instead I'm left wondering whether I'm getting a bit weak.

I would assume it also had something to do with that awesome PB you posted the other day up that climb. Give yourself at least 48hrs to recover. Then you'll be pumping out the huge Watts.

I thought the Garmin/Metrigear Vector would be out for Christmas, but I'm losing hope. Will continue waiting patiently.

 

[oldborn]

I don't have one but I would like on. This morning I could only hit 34km/h on a section that I normally do 44km/h on. There was a slight headwind so maybe that was a factor, it had just rained so maybe that was a factor, legs were a bit sore so maybe that was a factor, air was humid and thick so maybe that was a factor, had a backpack on so maybe that was a factor. Maybe I was actually doing my normal Watts but instead I'm left wondering whether I'm getting a bit weak.

Well my dear Poly i think it has to do with weights, try some 400kg squat and you will see how fast can you be

You are always welcome!

 

[CoachFergie]

I don't have one but I would like on. This morning I could only hit 34km/h on a section that I normally do 44km/h on. There was a slight headwind so maybe that was a factor, it had just rained so maybe that was a factor, legs were a bit sore so maybe that was a factor, air was humid and thick so maybe that was a factor, had a backpack on so maybe that was a factor. Maybe I was actually doing my normal Watts but instead I'm left wondering whether I'm getting a bit weak.

My ride yesterday felt a lot harder than the day before but on downloading my powermeter it was the same power. HR was up 7 beats. Main difference was Wed was around 10 degrees on the ride and yesterday was around 25 degrees (C).

 

[Michele]

I thought the Garmin/Metrigear Vector would be out for Christmas, but I'm losing hope. Will continue waiting patiently.

Not supposed to be out before Eurobike/Interbike 2011.

 

[Indurain]

Not supposed to be out before Eurobike/Interbike 2011.

Well i hope they get it out before the Polar/Look one as I think it will be a better product and hopefully cheaper too. I can't stand how Polar makes you send in their Heart Rate straps, etc to have the batteries changed. Surely they can make it so the user can change batteries. Robbery!!. I will never buy another product from them because of this alone.

So when is eurobike 2011? Allow me to save more money I guess. Wife has a list of things she wants to buy before she will allow me to make this purchase

 

[Michele]

By the info I have now, Polar should be available in Spring 2011.

Eurobike is first days of September.

 

[simo1733]

Well i hope they get it out before the Polar/Look one as I think it will be a better product and hopefully cheaper too. I can't stand how Polar makes you send in their Heart Rate straps, etc to have the batteries changed. Surely they can make it so the user can change batteries. Robbery!!. I will never buy another product from them because of this alone.

So when is eurobike 2011? Allow me to save more money I guess. Wife has a list of things she wants to buy before she will allow me to make this purchase

current polar chest straps have user replaceable batteries

 

[Michele]

Just out of curiosity, anyone in here bought Power2max?

 

[Nick777]

I have been training with a PowerTap for one week - I finally relented. Along with using it to train properly, it will be used as a pacing guide when I do NZ ironman next year.
I concur with most posts in this topic - it is the single best way of knowing exactly what you are putting into a session.
I rarely look at my speed or HR now - I normally do so only after the session has finished, just out of interest.
The things I find most interesting are
1) You don't realize how much your effort slackens off on downhills or with tailwinds
2) Not caring about speed anymore - just whether I am holding a certain wattage.
3) Just how easy it would be to overcook yourself in time trials.