As we’ve already discussed, your speed in Zwift is determined by three things. Of those three, your wattage is what you have immediate control over. FTP (Functional Threshold Power) is another way of looking at the kind of watts you can throw down.
FTP is “the highest power a rider can maintain in a quasi-steady state without fatiguing.” Many training athletes can hold their FTP for 40-55 minutes, which is one reason why FTP is often associated with a 1-hour effort.
Why Does It Matter?
It’s important to know your FTP in Zwift, for at least reasons:
- Your FTP is used in Zwift to determine target power numbers for workouts. If your FTP isn’t accurate your workouts may be too easy.
- Most races in Zwift are categorized by your watts/kg (your FTP divided by your body weight in kilograms). For instance, the popular ZTR races use these categories: A Group: >= 4w/kg, B Group: >= 3.2 w/kg, C Group: 3.2 w/kg.
Outside of Zwift, knowing your FTP is just smart from a training standpoint. Many cyclists come to Zwift without knowing their FTP, but once you’ve established that baseline you can work to increase your power and measure your FTP again several weeks later to see track improvements.
How Is It Measured?
Zwift has built-in workouts for a full 60-minute FTP test, a 20-minute one, or a ramp test. You can enter workout mode to take these tests.
Alternatively (or additionally), every time you ride on Zwift it automatically detects if your FTP has increased. (It does this by looking at your max 20-minute average power during each ride.) If Zwift detects that you hit a 20-minute average that would place your FTP higher than it is currently set in Zwift, it will suggest a change to the new FTP number.
How Can I Increase My FTP?
Lots of strategies here, but here’s a good article from Nate Wilson at Training Peaks: Three Ways to Improve Functional Threshold Power
