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John, I'm still confused by this power stuff... where should I be riding? How many watts should I be seeing on my monitor, because I'm no where close to my body weight?
I get questions similar to this frequently from members. My answers has evolved over time:
- I used to give into the pressure; "please tell me a number" and would throw out a vague target - "your first goal could be seeing watts equal to your your body weight".
- Later I revised it down a little; "what would be your desired, lean body weight?" "Let's try to reach that as an early power goal."
But now I'm learning that throwing out watts = body weight (lean or actual) isn't as helpful as I intended. Sure for some it works. Those who are reasonably fit looking (read not overweight) and with a good fitness base. For others I've found I was asking them to work too hard, using a kind of formula that wasn't personalized for each individual. Which sounds is a lot like using the 220 - age for MAX HR 🙁
Now my preference is to conduct a short "Best Effort", about a quarter of the way through class, to give everyone an understanding of a number they can work from. Not a true FTP or PTP, but it's been reasonably well accepted... but not by everyone.
Case in point: last Thursday after class I had the "how many watts should I be making?" discussion with a female member. She's a fit 50 year old and I would guess (I never ask) she weighs about 130lbs.
So I asked her what she normally sees during the "Best Effort" interval. "I average about 80 watts." Which confused me... a lot actually. I would have guessed she could easily make more than 80 watts. I was stuck for an answer. Rather than guess at the reason, I started asking questions:
- Do you ride outdoors? No, not regularly.
- Are you a runner? YES!! Big smile.
- How would you compare running vs. cycling? Cycling is much easier. I'm getting to something here...
- Do you run in competitive events like a 5k, 10k, Marathon, etc...? Another YES !!! I love to compete!!!
- Do you run faster & harder in a 5k vs. a Marathon? Yes, of course I do - why?
- When you're riding in here with me, does your "Best Effort" feel more like a 5k or a Marathon? She stopped to think about it and then said; like a Marathon.
- Bingo!
I didn't need to say anything more. The look on her face told me she understood exactly where her confusion was coming from. Her perception of working hard was at her Marathon level of intensity = 80 watts was exactly right, figuring an aerobic level of effort. I had been making the assumption that when I asked for hard, everyone would work at the level I perceive as "hard" - which for her was different.
She ended the conversation with; so when you ask us for our "Best Effort", I should be working at my 5k level of effort?
Exactly, or maybe a 5k where you're chasing one of your faster friends 🙂
Originally posted 2018-06-22 07:00:33.
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
- ICI Podcast 238 Meet Nerd Fitness Creator Steve Kamb - April 6, 2024
- ICI/PRO Podcast #113 Explosive Power pt 3 – Video PROfile with Tom Scotto from Stage 5 Cycling - March 31, 2024
- Spinning RideBook of class profiles - March 28, 2024
I will have to keep this in mind. Good thought.