Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
  • Get Started
    • Create Zwift Account
    • How To Get Started On Zwift
    • Zwift Course Maps
    • How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
    • Women’s Racing on Zwift
    • Links Every Zwifter Must Have
    • More “Get Started” Posts
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Training & Nutrition
    • Racing
    • Zwift Hacks
  • Reference
    • How Zwift Works
    • Course Calendar
    • RoboPacer Calendar
    • Climb Portal Calendar
    • Route of the Week Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Game Updates
    • Smart Trainer Index
      • Current Models
      • Exhaustive Trainer List
    • Achievements & Unlocks
      • XP Basics for Riders
      • XP Basics for Runners
      • Kit Unlock Codes
      • Master List of Badges
    • Frames & Wheels
    • Routes & Maps
      • Master List: Routes
      • Master List: Climb Portal
      • Master List: KOMs
      • Master List: Sprints
      • Master List: Rebel Routes
      • Downloadable Watopia Map
      • Printable List of Routes by Difficulty
    • Speed Tests
    • Tiny Races
  • Women
    • Race Calendar
    • Why race?
    • Women’s Teams
    • Racer Spotlights
    • More Women’s Racing posts
  • Shop
    • Watopia Map and Other Posters
    • ZI Indoor Cycling Kit
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Get Started
    • Create Zwift Account
    • How To Get Started On Zwift
    • Zwift Course Maps
    • How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
    • Women’s Racing on Zwift
    • Links Every Zwifter Must Have
    • More “Get Started” Posts
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Training & Nutrition
    • Racing
    • Zwift Hacks
  • Reference
    • How Zwift Works
    • Course Calendar
    • RoboPacer Calendar
    • Climb Portal Calendar
    • Route of the Week Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Game Updates
    • Smart Trainer Index
      • Current Models
      • Exhaustive Trainer List
    • Achievements & Unlocks
      • XP Basics for Riders
      • XP Basics for Runners
      • Kit Unlock Codes
      • Master List of Badges
    • Frames & Wheels
    • Routes & Maps
      • Master List: Routes
      • Master List: Climb Portal
      • Master List: KOMs
      • Master List: Sprints
      • Master List: Rebel Routes
      • Downloadable Watopia Map
      • Printable List of Routes by Difficulty
    • Speed Tests
    • Tiny Races
  • Women
    • Race Calendar
    • Why race?
    • Women’s Teams
    • Racer Spotlights
    • More Women’s Racing posts
  • Shop
    • Watopia Map and Other Posters
    • ZI Indoor Cycling Kit
More
    Training & Nutrition

    Power Tools: Making the Most of Training and Racing with Power

    Taylor Thomas
    By Taylor Thomas
    April 12, 2017
    LAST UPDATED April 11, 2017
    0

    The “Watts up with Power?” ride is likely the slowest group ride you’ll find on Zwift, because it focuses on learning the basics of power based training while riding together on Zwift. Each ride is streamed to Zwift LIVE by ODZ on Facebook, and focuses on teaching specific principles of power-based training. For viewers that are unable to attend live, the teaching is made available for all to review afterwards.

    Here is the summary for April 12 from ride leader Taylor Thomas.


    Power based training is becoming more and more accessible to cyclists of all abilities. With the wide availability of both smart trainers and more affordable power meters, most cyclists are at least familiar with power. However, do you know what to look for in a meter, what to do with the data, and how to use it in your training?

    What to Look for in a Power Meter

    With so many options available it can be hard to know what you need in a power meter. Decide first if you want one that only reads power on one side, or takes a reading from both left and right sides.

    Where are you going to be riding? What type of bike is it going on? What types of rides will you be doing? These questions will help inform your decision and choose the best meter for you.

    Analyzing Your Power Data

    What information is going to make you a better rider and help inform your training? The tools that you use should allow you to gain access to the insights you’re looking for.

    Looking for insights within a single ride or race is good, but tracking adaptation over time is also critical. Understanding that it takes time for your body to adapt and compensate to the training load you’re applying is key. Don’t make judgements based on small data sets.

    Keep track of your historical data. Once you begin training with power, log that information, and reference it consistently. Knowing how far you’ve come, and how your body has historically responded to training load, stress, duration, and intensity will help further inform your training decisions.

    Your metrics are only as sound as the validity of your data. The importance of a properly calibrated power meter can not be overstated. Power spikes and erroneous data can dramatically impact your core metrics. Zero and calibrate your meter, as well as delete any data spikes to ensure you’re working with reliable data.

    Using your Head Unit

    Cycling computers, or head units, are more robust than ever. They offer tons of information to the rider in real time, but what’s important? Don’t crowd your screen with data that’s not useful. Hone in on 4-6 fields that you need visible during a ride.

    Set up different screens for different types of rides. The information that’s valuable during an interval workout could be much different than during a group ride, or casual spin around the neighborhood. Know what you need, and when you need it.

    Set up one of the data fields to register 5-10 second Normalized Power for interval sessions. Your computer is registering a power reading every 1/10 of a second, and that can make it hard to nail down a specific effort. Using a longer time period can help to “normalize” the data and provide a more consistent and usable number.

    Related Posts

    Facebook
    Twitter
    Pinterest
    ReddIt
      Taylor Thomas
      Taylor Thomashttp://www.thomasendurancecoaching.com
      Taylor Thomas is the owner and founder of Thomas Endurance Coaching. He has more than a decade of experience in the bicycle industry as an athlete, coach, race promoter, and team organizer. As a USAC and TrainingPeaks Level 2 Certified coach he's helped athletes at every level prepare for and reach their goals in road, mountain, and cyclocross. Browse his pre-built training plans on TrainingPeaks, or for more information on personal coaching and custom training plans visit www.thomasendurancecoaching.com.
      Subscribe
      Notify of
      guest

      guest

      0 Comments
      Oldest
      Newest Most Voted
      Inline Feedbacks
      View all comments

      Get Started on Zwift

      Sign Up (Free Trial)
      Buy Zwift Ride
      Buy KICKR CORE One
      Read More...

      Newest Featured Posts

      Zwift Offers Free Play Controllers To Level 85+ Riders

      Hardware/Equipment

      Join the CommuniTTTy: On-Demand Zwift Time Trialing!

      Racing

      Support This Site

      Write a post, shop through us, donate or advertise. Learn more

      NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

      Zwift tips and news every 2 weeks! Click to subscribe.

      More Posts

      Zwift Will Not Be Hosting an Elite Zwift World Series This Fall

      Racing

      Zwift Charts: Climb Portal Growth

      Routes & Maps

      Friday Night Fun Races Announced

      Events

      Zwift Releases Fitness Trends Charts on Companion App

      Game Updates

      This community-driven site is maintained by Eric Schlange and a team of Zwift enthusiasts. Zwift Insider is independent of Zwift corporate (www.zwift.com), although Zwift does provide funding to help defray site costs.

      This site contains affiliate links to Amazon, Wahoo, and other brands. Zwift Insider makes a small commission on purchases made from these links, so please shop through them to support our efforts.

      Terms of Use/DMCA Copyright Policy

      Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent

      [email protected]

      Latest articles

      Zwift Route of the Week Schedule

      Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of July 12-13

      Tiny Race Series – July 12 Routes – Lazy Race Organizer

      Popular Categories

      • Racing1509
      • Events1014
      • News833
      • Training & Nutrition712
      • Interviews564
      • Routes & Maps446
      Comment Author Info
      :wpds_smile::wpds_grin::wpds_wink::wpds_mrgreen::wpds_neutral::wpds_twisted::wpds_arrow::wpds_shock::wpds_unamused::wpds_cool::wpds_evil::wpds_oops::wpds_razz::wpds_roll::wpds_cry::wpds_eek::wpds_lol::wpds_mad::wpds_sad::wpds_exclamation::wpds_question::wpds_idea::wpds_hmm::wpds_beg::wpds_whew::wpds_chuckle::wpds_silly::wpds_envy::wpds_shutmouth:
      0
      0
      Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
      ()
      x
      | Reply
      You are going to send email to

      Move Comment

    • Related Posts