Are you a cycling enthusiast looking to improve your performance on the bike? If so, you may have heard of something called “functional threshold power” or FTP. But what exactly is FTP and why is it important?
Simply put, FTP is the highest power output that a rider can sustain for an hour. In other words, it’s the maximum amount of energy a rider can put out over the course of a long ride. Knowing your FTP can help you tailor your training to better meet your goals. For example, if you’re preparing for a long-distance race, you’ll want to focus on increasing your FTP so you can sustain a higher power output for a longer period of time.
In addition to helping with training, knowing your FTP can also be a useful tool for setting power-based goals and tracking your progress. For example, you may want to aim to increase your FTP by a certain percentage over the course of a training cycle. By regularly testing and retesting your FTP, you can see how your power output is changing and make adjustments to your training as needed.
So there you have it! FTP may seem like a bit of a mysterious concept, but it’s really just a measure of how much power you can sustain over a long ride. By knowing your FTP, you can better tailor your training and set meaningful goals to help you reach your cycling potential.
Ready to find out your FTP?
Each OVALfit RIDE class begins with a mini-FTP test after a warm-up period for a workout customized to your power levels. These mini-FTP tests are typically between one to three minutes long, with more accurate assessments taking about 20 minutes. We’re offering Oval members and guests four opportunities to lock in your **gold standard** 20-minute FTP as a part of a regular 60-minute RIDE class in January and February. In May and October, we will offer these longer FTP tests again so you can track your progress over time.
Ready to RIDE? Visit our Group Fitness page to register for one of the following classes on:
January 31 at 6:00 pm
February 2 at 9:30 am
February 4 at 9:00 am
February 6 at 5:30 pm
If you’re a metrics junkie or enjoy being able to select your bike ahead of time, be sure to download the Stages Studio+ app before your class and select the Richmond Olympic Oval as your studio. Following your class, your individual workout statistics will be available so you can review your average speed, watts, total distance and more.
Happy riding!