Whether you’re the chatty group-ride regular who shows up for the banter or the ultra-dialed rider chasing a spot on the podium, every cyclist agrees on this: nothing feels better than lining up on race day feeling strong, confident, and genuinely excited to ride. And the best way to get there is with a well-crafted training plan.
Here’s a selection of the best cycling training plans on TrainingPeaks, curated for cyclists of all levels and designed by some of the best coaches in the world. Plus, you can save 25% on one year of TrainingPeaks Premium when you purchase a training plan! (Check out all the perks of Premium here.)
1. Best 8-Week Build for Gravel Racers
This plan is everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s simple, easy to follow, and based on research (not assumptions).
Sharpen your gravel-specific fitness with a balanced mix of structured rides, strength work, and steady weekly volume around 10 hours.
- Focused 8-week program to build the power, endurance, and terrain-specific strength needed for gravel events.
- Averages about 10 hours per week with 5 bike sessions plus optional strength or cross-training.
- Includes strength work tailored around riding load to boost power and durability.
- Features structured workouts that sync to your devices for easy execution and tracking.
2. Best Indoor Training Plan for Building an Aerobic Base
Don’t let the weather get in the way of your goals. This plan is specifically designed for indoor training, so the icy roads or blistering sun got nothing on you.
All sessions in this plan include structure to help maintain interest, as well as options for unstructured training to avoid over-intensifying and burnout. This plan averages about 6.5 hours a week and works best if you have a couple of weeks of unstructured training under your belt first.
Training tip: This plan is compatible with TrainingPeaks Virtual! Give it a try this winter to break up the monotony of indoor training.
- 16-week indoor cycling plan designed to build aerobic endurance, FTP, and VO₂ max.
- Trains 7–10 hours per week with a rest day.
- Focuses on sustained low-intensity work with targeted intervals to strengthen durability.
- Includes FTP tests and ERG-compatible workouts to track progress and guide training zones.
3. Best Plan for Experienced Riders looking for FTP Boost
If you’ve been training for a few months and really want to start building your fitness, look no further. The Team EF Coaching FTP Builder is systematically designed to increase your FTP. Plus, this plan is designed with busy athletes in mind who have a heavier workload M-F, and a little more flexibility on the weekends.
- 12-week plan designed to increase your FTP with structured, progressive interval sessions.
- Best for riders with a solid aerobic base and 6–8 hours per week to train.
- Focuses on sustained efforts and over/unders to build threshold power and endurance.
- Includes FTP tests at the start and finish to track improvement and fine-tune training zones.
4. Best Strength Training Plan for Cyclists
This 12-week program is designed for cyclists who want to build real strength that translates to the bike. It follows a progressive model that starts with a foundation, then builds, and finally reaches peak power production.
This plan is perfect for stacking on top of your current training, and provides video guidance on each exercise with TrainingPeaks Strength Builder.
- 12-week strength program built to improve durability, power, and injury resilience for endurance athletes.
- Calls for 2–3 strength sessions per week, each 45–60 minutes.
- Follows a progressive structure moving from foundation to build to power phases.
- Uses TrainingPeaks Strength Builder so you can keep all of your training in one place.
5. Best eSports Racing Plan
Want to get into eSports racing? Then Zach Nehr is the coach you want writing your training plan. With experience as both an eSports professional athlete and coach, he knows what it takes to race at a high level. Check out this video on how he coached Hayden Pucker to the eSports World Championships, as well a deep dive into the world of virtual racing.
Pro tip: if you’re looking for races in 2026, check out these events, races, and group rides happening in TrainingPeaks Virtual.
- 10-week indoor plan designed to improve power and performance for e-cycling platforms like TrainingPeaks Virtual.
- Trains 5–8 hours per week with about six structured bike sessions and one rest day.
- Emphasizes high-intensity intervals with endurance-ride options for flexibility.
- Workouts sync to smart trainers and devices for easy, guided execution.
BONUS: Best Plan for First-Time Mountain Bikers
If you’ve had enough of concrete roads and gravel, it’s time to take it to the mountains. This beginner-friendly plan prepares you for your first-ever MTB race, focusing on hilly rides, endurance, and race starts.
Note: You should be comfortable riding on dirt roads and have been riding two to three times a week before starting this plan.
- Beginner-friendly plan for riders preparing for their first cross-country mountain bike race.
- Trains 3 times per week with skills, hills, and endurance rides that gradually build volume.
- Adds simple strength and flexibility work to improve stability and reduce injury risk.
- Uses Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) for guidance — no power meter or heart-rate monitor required.
Whatever your 2026 goals might be, it’s best to have a plan. Whether it’s a PR, just staying in shape, or trying something new, there’s an experienced TrainingPeaks coach who can help you get there.
You can search for other plans designed by our world-class coaches here.
