Welcome to the FFT polarized builder plan based on the science of Seiler. This plan emphasizes low intensity (70%) and high intensity (20%) with some threshold (10%). Many sesions are intervals: Milanovic et al. (2016) reported a greater response to interval training relative to continuous training at equal training volume.
Evidence suggest this might be the idea plan for beginners and improvers. It can be undertaken anytime! We describe it as 8 x 6 x 12 because its roughly a 8hrs per day (max), 6 days per week over 12 weeks. It is best suited to improvers, regular cyclists and advanced who want to raise their aerobic and anaerobic base ready for next season. Not the best for beginners. The latest science shows that time in base training (z1/z2) must be more than time in HIIT (z4/z5) + threshold (z3/z4) but that HIIT should outweigh threshold at least 3:2. This plan combines low, middle and high intensity training in an efficient but manageable training package. The plan is "polarized" using principles of Seiler as follows: low intensity (z1 z2) =70%; moderate intensity (z3 z4) = 10%; high intensity (z5 z6) = 20%. We also have a 10 week and 16 week version. This is power based.
TIPS AND ADVICE
• Establish a regular workout routine
• If the weather is bad, train indoors but don’t skip entirely
• Ride easy on easy session days (probably easier than you think)
• By all means ride with friends but not if they destroy your training plan
• Don’t avoid the training session you are weak at; it is there for a reason!
• Don’t be tough on yourself if you have a bad session
• In each session start moderately, progress firmly and finish strong!
• Have a goal, visualize your goal and know why you are training.
Best of luck from the Fastfitness.tips team!