VO2max - One of the best predictors of cycling performance.
Maybe you're thinking - "Well Tom, I'm familiar with Z5 (it's painful!), but I thought improving my FTP was the best way to become a faster cyclist?"
Let's rethink this for a moment:
Many races, group rides, and strava segments that we want to perform well on are defined by efforts ABOVE your FTP. Your VO2max is the BEST predictor of this type of performance.
"Ok, so how do I improve my VO2max?"
First, let's consider an example:
You and your riding partner might have the same FTP and weigh the same - but a very different power output at VO2max.
Therefore...
Doing those old school 5 x 5 minute intervals at 110% of FTP is not the same relative % of VO2max, nor is it necessarily the # 1 way of building VO2max for either athlete.
So, what to do instead?
There is an adundance of recent sport science research that has established novel and more productive ways to stimulate improvement in VO2max.
Studies show that time above 90% of VO2max is a key measure for stimulating improvement.
Easy right?
Not necessarily! The next question is- how do we design a session and plan that incorporates as much of this training stimulus, without being too difficult and accumulating undue fatgiue.
Which brings us to this plan...
Science-based Workouts to build your VO2max - Structured into a bespoke plan by a professional coach
The workouts within this training plan are based on the most up-to-date training physiology research. In many cases I have spoken with the researchers themselves to ensure their findings translate as well as possible to practical application.
Notes
Each workout includes information on the goals and training impact. Training load, accumulated stress and recovery periods have been designed for intermediate riders to get the most performance benefit and adaptation out of the 4 weeks of specific work.
Compatibility
All workouts in your plan can be exported to Zwift, TrainerRoad, or a compatible head unit (e.g. Garmin or Wahoo), or a companion app of your choice. Some rides (those with short VO2 intervals) are better performed on a smart trainer/bike in ERG mode (fixed power output) due to the frequently changing power demands.
Requirements
This plan is primarily prescribed by power output. Therefore you will need a power meter on your bike OR a indoor trainer/bike that measres power output.
Heart rate monitoring is used as a second qualifier for work intensity on some sessions. This is not essential, however will provide useful context about your feelings of exertion and intensity on a particular day.
Questions - Hit me up!
Avoid the pitfalls of self-coaching and get a birds-eye view of your training from a highly qualified professional coach who can recognise the patterns in your training and can implement adjustments before you waste your valuable time.
"Making you fast, faster."