First Zwift FTP Test | Why do one? | New cyclist aged 40

  Рет қаралды 31,008

The Watt Life

The Watt Life

Күн бұрын

I started cycling properly around Dec 2022, ive never done a serious FTP test so this was all new to me. It definitely hurt. Why should we do a FTP test? What do we do with the result of an FTP test?
Data is extremely important for an FTP test so i used my ‪@fourthfrontier‬ HR monitor for extremely accurate results.
FFMAX - For 15% off
You need to race with a heart race on Zwift Power- why not get the best, complete with ECG.
Heart Rate and ECG monitor: uk.fourthfrontier.com/product...
#bike #cycling #bikelife #cycle
Find me on:
▶️ Instagram - / maxwilko
▶️ Strava - / strava
▶️ Zwift Power Profile - zwiftpower.com/profile.php?z=...
00:00 Intro
01:30 Why do an FTP test?
03:20 The FTP TEST
06:55 Test end
08:50 The Result
09:20 Analysis

Пікірлер: 80
@jaredlash5002
@jaredlash5002 Жыл бұрын
You should know that if you're using ERG mode on your trainer for the ramp test, then it doesn't really matter what the size of your chainrings is since if you're using a higher cadence then the resistance will decrease to make the same amount of power. It should, generally, feel the same regardless of the gear you're riding. Some trainers seem to provide a more even feel when riding a small gear, some seem to do better with a larger gear. I've found my Wahoo Kickr does well on the small chainring and whichever rear cog provides the straightest chainline.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
So best thing to do is make sure i have a straight chain line?
@jaredlash5002
@jaredlash5002 11 ай бұрын
@@thewattlife Pretty much.
@PCXMODSGR
@PCXMODSGR 10 ай бұрын
Most devices are better with small chaining because of the slower speed of the flywheel ! I personally find more realistic the big ring(also 52) as the small ring puts too much stress on the joints(i dont think it helps climbing as most say) even with rocker plate !
@PCXMODSGR
@PCXMODSGR 10 ай бұрын
@@thewattlife Yes !
@jaketaplin6075
@jaketaplin6075 Жыл бұрын
great video chap!! Last few videos have got me back to riding on Zwift! Got a 1 hour 45 min ride tonight
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Nice man, anytime you want to link for a ride or a zwift race hit me up. Always keen
@TheWelshRunner
@TheWelshRunner Жыл бұрын
Great work Max. Nice video and solid FTP to work from. Will be watching with interest to see how some structured training impacts your performance. I’ve never done the Ramp Test and always opt for the 20 minute test on Zwift. Might give this one a try at some stage.
@everydayzwifter
@everydayzwifter Жыл бұрын
Nice one. One of the more interesting Zwift FTP tests I've seen. Love the lactate info. Thats something I need to work on for points races.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Definitely shows me that i have some work to do.... or some rest to do... cant quite figure it out but probably both!!
@a_diverge
@a_diverge Жыл бұрын
Going to be trying the EF education coaching next to improve my cycling. Currently 53yrs old with 264FTP. The ankle surgery did not help me but im back. And like you i do spend alot of time on Zwift.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
I havent heard of that. I was just going to jump into a simple Zwift training plan and then actually start doing some leg strength work and see how that panned out. My big gear ability is horrible... i feel like i need a lot more strength
@muratmustafa4532
@muratmustafa4532 Ай бұрын
Really enjoyed the video. Found lots of commonalities. 41 years old being a cyclist for one year and a science background. Had similar questions in mind. So invested in heart rate monitor, power meter and a computer. Tried the FTP test on road and failed to do it. I guess it is difficult if you do not have a perfect road for it. Also I am still struggling to keep the power consistent in a small band. I am mostly putting too much or to little power. However, Garmin's auto detect FTP proven to be useful. It detects my FTP from my usual rides. Probably it provided much lower value than regular FTP test as I do not do all out 20mins full effort on my usual rides. But it is still useful to get the ballpark figure until I can find a good road to do the real FTP test. While the idea of planned training seems to be great, based on my failed FTP test, it seems sticking to a specific training routine is difficult when cycling on road with ever changing gradient, junctions and traffic.
@luxsasha
@luxsasha Жыл бұрын
Idk how I landed on this video but ended up watching 😂. Great attempt, you’ll do better the more structured training you do and after you do a few of these. It’s always shocking for me to do 20m intervals at 300 the first week back after a structured workout break and then it’s just uncomfortably normal. The ramp test is kind of the same way, once you build the base up more the whole thing becomes easier. ❤
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Thanks man appreciate the advice
@cryptocretin
@cryptocretin 10 ай бұрын
I just tried the normal ramp test yesterday. I was doing the ramp test lite before as I'm new to cycling. Was a bit silly as I had done some high intensity stuff the day before. I've managed to go from 150ftp to 198ftp in 7 months so far. 5 weeks of that I almost did nothing as had issues with my left foot pointing out and ended up getting knee pain and having to keep stopping for days at a time. I also found on this test my heart rate didn't get really high on the test but higher than yours. I didn't feel out of breath at all though and I was the same as you where I just failed because my legs could not go any more.
@rcah5524
@rcah5524 Жыл бұрын
Great Video 👍
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Thanks kindly. Time to get to work with some hard training
@russellbanner589
@russellbanner589 11 ай бұрын
Well done Max. I did the 20 min test as my first (and only) FTP test with no idea what to expect or how to pace myself. Good choice going for the ramp test! 😁 270 is a good score in my opinion, so well done!
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
Hopefully get it up over 300 by the end of the year
@russellbanner589
@russellbanner589 11 ай бұрын
@thewattlife will eagerly watch your progress mate!
@mumblecake251
@mumblecake251 Жыл бұрын
Good luck with the FTP Builder training plan. 3.5W/kg definitely puts you in Cat B territory, wouldn't be surprised if you manage to get it up to 3.8W/kg by the end of the training plan :)
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Fingers crossed. Would love to get up to 4 w/kg by the end of the year.
@werdsmyth
@werdsmyth 11 ай бұрын
Solid effort. And ramp test was the best option. Wouldn't even both with the 20min FTP test. Don't worry about heart rate, that should be gradually ramping up as the power does, so what your heart was doing was totally the right thing. Racing is different because you need heart rate spikes alongside the power spikes, whereas this is all about a gradual increase of effort to failure. One other observation. Think your saddle is a bit too high. Hips were rocking left and right towards the end, which is a sign that your saddle is a smidge too high. Would recommend dropping it by maybe an inch and you should find you'll rock less at the high power efforts but also unlock a bit more power from your glutes. Would go so far as to say you'll be closer to 280w FTP just with a slight saddle drop, before any further gains from the structured training.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
Will give this a try and drop it a few cm's
@TheChonsey
@TheChonsey Жыл бұрын
Awesome effort 👍 not sure You had a fan, but in case You didn’t- get one. Gets unneeded stress off of your heart. Unless preparing for a race in hot. But it’s a different topic. Also in the beginning You mentioned your body weight. Don’t fall into this trap of trying to lower it. What most tend to do is try to restrict calories intake and especially carbs too much bringing one to a calorie restricted state therefore limiting the ability to push to the max. Eat enough, eat more carbs before training session, if session is longer- get carbs during the session and there will be a huge difference. Especially You’ll notice how less of a hunger bothers after a trining session. Other than that- I wish You a good luck and stay healthy- its the most important thing. Cheers!
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Yeah i definitely need to get a fan. My weight is more an understanding of what my race weight and weight in general is when im training and being very active. I broke my leg last year so put on some muscle which will slowly disappear over the summer.
@travismorgan3252
@travismorgan3252 7 ай бұрын
Being 40 years old myself, it's crazy seeing the difference in your heart rate vs mine. I'm at 115-120 just getting on the bike, not even turning the pedals, but I also hit 180-185bpms almost every time I ride.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 7 ай бұрын
HR is very dependant on the individual, i have a friend who is 41 and will regularly get into the 200's.
@travismorgan3252
@travismorgan3252 7 ай бұрын
@@thewattlifethis is extremely fascinating
@PhantomMs1
@PhantomMs1 Ай бұрын
Very fascinating, I'm 38 and also have a relatively low max hr of 165 as well. My other cyclist friends are closer to the 195-200 max hr at similar ages 36-41. For a while I was worried something was wrong with my lower hr!​@@thewattlife As ripped as you are what would that ftp be in w/kg?
@Markhypnosis1
@Markhypnosis1 9 ай бұрын
As we get older I wouldn't say ANY muscles are superfluous. I think this is a mistake a lot of cyclists make, trying to drop body weight including muscle mass to increase w/kg, and this makes them weak with less bone density. I'm 51 and been road cycling for 3 years. I have an ftp of 300, weigh 81kg. So my w/kg is 3.7. The only way I want to increase my w/kg is to improve my power. Keeping Muscle mass is so important after 40 for general health, so I'm definitely not going to be giving up my muscle building weight lifting sessions.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 9 ай бұрын
Yeah man i feel you when i comes to health and living a good life, there is definitely a balance, a lot of what i talk about is relevant to me personally. I spent a few years climbing as a sport and no longer really need the shoulder strength so theres definitely so areas i can change the shape of my body. Still planning on lifting some weights to build the power just wont be excessive with upper body sessions ;)
@patty109109
@patty109109 9 ай бұрын
Did my ramp this week. I fell apart at the 360. Been riding hard for two months now, but I’m older. I think am naturally well prone to cardio so have responded very well as a new rider. Also I’m heavier than you.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 9 ай бұрын
Nice, i think knowing what the experience is like plays a part too. Im going to re-do one before the off season and then get a plan together
@mathewrose2951
@mathewrose2951 10 ай бұрын
I do wish that Zwift's 90 day rolling FTP detection didn't make certain assumptions. I'd been doing a lot of zone 2 rides and it kept dropping my expected FTP until I did one of the long new climb portal climbs at 297 watts, top to bottom, for 26 minutes. Suddenly it recalibrates, but you've got to put in a max effort periodically in order to keep it accurate.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 10 ай бұрын
I feel like the odd max effort in a 90 day period isnt the biggest ask but i do know what you mean. I find that racing every now and again has helped. Also starting a new training program soon which should add to things. I I dont really worry about my FTP score as such, more my power curve
@DanCave
@DanCave Жыл бұрын
Sean..thats now how an ftp/ramp test works 😊
@valiantabello
@valiantabello Жыл бұрын
Well done.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Thanks. Good to have a benchmark
@evanatkins1888
@evanatkins1888 11 ай бұрын
So mate in short - you jump on and follow the 1 minute prompts until you are toast and the system works it out for you based on that ?
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
Yup- there are several FTP tests you can do but a ramp test is a 1 min increase and then you'll be given a rough idea what your FTP is
@DanCave
@DanCave Жыл бұрын
Not to mention that a lot of roadies qnd folk who do time trials fpr twenty five miles have a fairly good handle of their FTP.
@alex9046
@alex9046 11 ай бұрын
a huge front chainring is not designed to mash big gears, it is to keep your gears in the middle of casette so your chainline is straight also, get a fan at max power to the face while cycling inside. No air circulation while cycling out is torture
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
I got myself a fan last week and its definitely made a difference to being able to hold top end watts while racing... retest my FTP next week too
@MarkRiddellRacing
@MarkRiddellRacing Жыл бұрын
On the power curve chart Zwift just shows your overall best ever AFAIK. Then shows the current ride compared to it.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Ohhhh thats great to know, so its not a contemporary thing then- its an all time. Makes it a bit better
@independentmind1977
@independentmind1977 10 ай бұрын
People seem to forget they need a baseline in order to measure progress. Unless of course, you are doing it for the heck of it and don't care, however these numbers are good to have "just in case".
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 10 ай бұрын
I think a 'first FTP' is the base line. I have a follow up video from this one where i retest 4 weeks later, and then you can visibly see and measure the improvements ;)
@Mmmmn520
@Mmmmn520 10 ай бұрын
I’m pretty sure I did the same ftp builder as you and my FTP before was like 3.5 W/kg and now it is 4.1W/kg but I haven’t retested it only increase because I did the alpe as fast as I could so that gave me a new FTP but if I retested, I think I could get it to about 4.5.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 10 ай бұрын
Thats insane and great to know- i need to do more workouts on Zwift, i actually only managed to do a handful when i trained following this. Any workouts you particularly recommend?
@Mmmmn520
@Mmmmn520 10 ай бұрын
@@thewattlife I just did the one from zwift the six week builder
@Mmmmn520
@Mmmmn520 10 ай бұрын
@@thewattlife great video btw
@benjapolcycling
@benjapolcycling Жыл бұрын
To me if the ramp test is not reaching HR Z5 something is not right. Either HR zone is wrong, you are so new and inefficient on cycling mechanics or too much fatigue to really bring out power and reach up to your cardiovascular potential
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
Yuo i agree, i think i am just quite over trained at the moment and need some time off. So realistically it should be higher but its a good place to start. I am also quite new to cycling and broke my leg in Oct last year so this is an entire rebuild back up to fitness
@DieSammelstelle
@DieSammelstelle 10 ай бұрын
Without looking your Video First: age 35, First Test 212 185cm 96kg
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 10 ай бұрын
Not too bad- i was 40 years old, 272, 181 cm and 79kg
@DieSammelstelle
@DieSammelstelle 10 ай бұрын
@@thewattlife my wall was from 300 to 320, it was Like a Stop after 3 Seconds, i dont know If this is any different for the result, but i didnt Tell zwift to Stop ,zwift counted down Like 15seconds and than stoped by itself. I wanna Change my physics, wife and two Kids, and way to heavy. Allready lost 11kg in 18month only by chainging what i eat, now i wanna throw in some fittnes, for me zwift was perfect to get fast in the Bike and be by my Family all the time If necessary.
@GarryQuinn
@GarryQuinn 8 ай бұрын
Did you calibrate the trainer before this?
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 8 ай бұрын
No idea how to do that?!
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 8 ай бұрын
…wait- I have the Tacx Neo 2T which doesn’t need calibrating
@benoittheminerandgamer
@benoittheminerandgamer 11 ай бұрын
I'am 47yo and i never try FTP test. I i'am able to stay at 192w NP for 1h12, so i'am probably over 200 ftp.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
Im going to try and do another ramp FTP test in a few weeks
@vikingcove
@vikingcove 7 ай бұрын
NOT "new cyclist". Shame. I'm sorry I fell for it.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 7 ай бұрын
I had only recently found out what an FTP test was and up until then had done no cycle training whatsoever. I started using Zwift after breaking my leg last year, in many respects cycle training/racing and events are very new.
@dustind9242
@dustind9242 10 ай бұрын
Why didn't you do a 60 min effort for better accuracy?
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 10 ай бұрын
Thats definitely on the card, i think the first time round though i thought it would be easier to do something that would give me a rough guide seeing as im new to all this. Hopefully doing one soon
@shaneromero826
@shaneromero826 Жыл бұрын
😂 Promo`SM
@seanbarman
@seanbarman Жыл бұрын
Why do a 20 min test to find out fitness level for an hour ?. No cyclist goes on a 20 min bike ride probably 2-3 hours yet can never do an hour test ? just put trainer in erg mode for 1 hr at 270w and see if you can now do it. Zwift ramp test is not a n ftp test
@thewattlife
@thewattlife Жыл бұрын
I think the point is more that 20 min tests or even ramp tests are an abbreviated version of roughly finding your FTP while in a training block. Obviously not everyone is going to be able to taper for a week to then do a solid 60 min TT effort. I think of them as rough guides rather than hard and fast results. Also worth pointing out that a higher FTP doesnt always mean wins
@DanCave
@DanCave Жыл бұрын
What I have experienced is that ramp and FTP tests can produce different results, based on how rested or trained you are. The Coggan/Lim FTP protocol is half an hour long and allows a twenty minute effort and a calculated estimate of what one's one hour function power would be. Since getting everyone to do a one hour FTP in real world conditions is quite difficult, the Coggan Lim protocol was devised and is close to real world conditions
@user-fy7ri8gu8l
@user-fy7ri8gu8l 11 ай бұрын
Because its not actually about ftp60, its about bar setting for interval, tempo or endurance work. Without doing an actual VO2max and Lactate Threshold tests there no need to really get on about ftp60 vs ftp20 vs ramp. All have very poor correlations in large high quality studies to any one physiological threshold. An ftp20 min can under or over predict (more likely over) "FTP" by as much as 20-40 watts. Meanwhile ftp60 min is basically useless for actual physiological threshold finding itself and for many can set you up for under-training during intervals. What FTP tests generally are good for is the same thing that fat% impedance sensor on a scale is good for, in its case not at all your actual lean mass, but over time tracking if you're making progress with regards to whatever your real lean mass happens to be. FTP testing is important in the sense that it sets your interval goals and with your heart rate you can see how well it does or doesn't track with your actual experience doing the exercises. Doing a 60min FTP to set your 'threshold' may make intervals far too easy for you, similarly doing a 20min test could set your interval goals far too high. Over time a person simply needs to be aware which test results in setting better goal watts for themselves during exercises and keeps them in the appropriate zones. They can then use repeat testing using the same test to 'raise the bar' and track their progress. You're less 'finding your fitness for an hour' and more asking 'which of these tests sets interval wattage that actually match their stated given zones to my performance'.
@Wargwarn
@Wargwarn 7 ай бұрын
New cyclist is a pure lie. No new cyclist has an FTP that high.
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 7 ай бұрын
New to cycling but have a long history with sport- a broken leg meant I have had no choice but to cycle for the past year
@Wargwarn
@Wargwarn 7 ай бұрын
@@thewattlife misleading title then.
@Boots2Bike
@Boots2Bike 4 күн бұрын
@@Wargwarnhe's a new cyclist nothing misleading about it. He didn't say couch potato to cyclist.
@scalleewagg9746
@scalleewagg9746 11 ай бұрын
"It's the one thing in cycling that absolutely gives me the fear [...] I'm anxious about it, didn't sleep last night [...] But I've never actually done one" What? xD
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
Ive done many VO2 max tests- fundamentally the same thing. The idea of working right up to complete exhaustion and pushing well passed your comfort zone, its a horrible thought.
@scalleewagg9746
@scalleewagg9746 11 ай бұрын
@@thewattlife I thought that's maybe what you meant but sounded it funny. My apologies I was a bit of a troll. I enjoyed the video though, now it's me who hasn't done one before and it's fearing the tomorrow when I have to face it!
@thewattlife
@thewattlife 11 ай бұрын
Absolutely no worries, i just like riding my bike and sharing some content along the way. Im looking forward to my re-test but still about anxious about actually doing it
Zwift 20 min FTP Test | How close is it to a Zwift Ramp Test
15:31
The Watt Life
Рет қаралды 17 М.
ZWIFT - Is this my last Zwift race? (in CAT D)
20:12
Ryan Condon
Рет қаралды 6 М.
КАРМАНЧИК 2 СЕЗОН 7 СЕРИЯ ФИНАЛ
21:37
Inter Production
Рет қаралды 530 М.
1❤️
00:17
Nonomen ノノメン
Рет қаралды 13 МЛН
How to improve your FTP | How I went from 3.2 w/kg to 4 w/kg
10:11
The Watt Life
Рет қаралды 103 М.
Zwift "Trainer Difficulty" Setting Explained CLEARLY!!!  Cycle with Max!
12:00
Max McAllister & Traxxion Dynamics
Рет қаралды 62 М.
10 factors helping my cycling - Zwift Racing on Mayan Mash
20:26
Can I win Every Category in Zwift?
20:45
NorCal Cycling
Рет қаралды 162 М.
How Fit Did I Get Doing Zone 2?
14:17
Global Cycling Network
Рет қаралды 677 М.
How I Became an Above Average Cyclist
20:27
Mitch Boyer
Рет қаралды 664 М.
EVERYTHING You NEED To Know About FTP, Workouts, and ERG Mode - Zwift Rouvy TrainerRoad
38:53
Zwift Race | Good Cat C rider tries Cat B | Here's what happens
11:25
3 Ways Rouvy Beats Out Zwift
12:07
Bikes by Mike
Рет қаралды 37 М.
How accurate is a Zwift FTP ramp test | Ramp V's 20 min test
10:50
The Watt Life
Рет қаралды 18 М.