No, MSP doesn’t stand for “My Secret Pal”, nor does it stand for “Mom’s Special Potion”, and I’ll stop right there before this gets really silly. MSP stands for Maximum Sustainable Power. It is the level of power once can sustain for a specific time interval. When you are referencing an hour interval (measured and estimated with 20 minute tests), most elite cyclists who train with power refer to this as FTP or Functional Threshold Power.
I prefer to reserve the term “Threshold” for that unique metabolic event that takes place with respect to the production of energy; the “cross-over” process between the aerobic and non-aerobic energy production systems. In my opinion, this term should be reserved for cardiovascular training (it has been used and researched with this term as the agreed upon nomenclature for years before power meters even existed). Therefore, to avoid confusing heart rate and power training terms, I do not refer to threshold with respect to power, but instead reserve its use solely to reference ones heart rate when this metabolic event occurs.
If you were to do a quick web search you would see that 3 is a very special number. It’s a favorite of storytellers; the three pigs, the the three blind mice, Goldilocks and the three bears and the Three Musketeers. It’s used in faith; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as well as Mindy, Body, Spirit. You have the 3 olympic medals; gold, silver and bronze. In geometry the three sided triangle is considered the most stable shape. Photographers, artists and designers use the rule of thirds.
In strength training, many believe, three sets are optimal for strength gains. When participating in an indoor cycling class there are only three riding positions; seated with a fast cadence, seated with a slower cadence and standing. Numerous studies have shown that the brain responds to 3 in a positive way.
When writing my class profiles I like to take advantage of the “Power of 3”. I often use 3 song sets, the 3 riding positions and repeat intervals 3 times. I find the “Power of 3” to be, a POWERFUL technique.
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I invited Cameron Chinatti and Doug Rusho from Stages Indoor Cycling back to the Podcast to learn how they communicate the concepts of Power in ways that reach the different learning styles and personalities in your classes.
While there are lots of local races throughout the season, there is only one “in my back yard”. So naturally, I like to do either the MTB race, or the Road race. I did both one year, and well…let’s not go there. Since I took the entire year off my normal MTB schedule, and our Road Team won last year’s team category, it seemed like the right thing to do, even though it was the longest, “experienced” race route of the group.
If you’ve read my previous 2 blogs however, you’ll recall that I am training for the “unrace” – the Dirty Dozen where just finishing will be counted as something I didn’t think possible – thus this new training focus. So the race wouldn’t be consistent with this plan, except for one thing. I am on a mission to raise my Threshold to give me more cieling and expand my VO2 in the process – thereby raising the two biggest limiters of power, and climbing hills that average 18% and higher will be ALL ABOUT power.
From that perspective, I guess I accomplished my objectives, but I’m just not sure getting all of the required time in Zone 5 (the real work that has to be done to raise ones Threshold) in the first hour of riding was actually the best way to go about it. What WAS I thinking!?!
Master Instructor Tom Scotto delivers our latest Audio PROfile Climbing Strength Intervals. PROFILE OVERVIEW
This profile is called Climbing Strength Intervals. It is a simple profile that focuses on four 3- minute climbing intervals designed to test and develop muscular strength. Riders can track their heart rate and/or power during the class to gauge their individual climbing efforts. The beauty of this class is that it takes a simple look at one concept of heart rate and power training and reduces the risk of overwhelming people. This profile can be introduced without any previous training on heart rate or power. It is a simple way to explore and learn.
Here's your Spotify PRO/Playlist!Deezer. We have made every attempt to replicate the original playlist. In some instances the tracks specified were unavailable in Spotify. When necessary we have substituted individual songs of similar length and tried to maintain the Instructor's intent.
No, MSP doesn’t stand for “My Secret Pal”, nor does it stand for “Mom’s Special Potion”, and I’ll stop right there before this gets really silly. MSP stands for Maximum Sustainable Power. It is the level of power once can sustain for a specific time interval. When you are referencing an hour interval (measured and estimated with 20 minute tests), most elite cyclists who train with power refer to this as FTP or Functional Threshold Power.
