The Journey to a 300w FTP | STEP 1

Triathlon Taren is going to do a ZWIFT FTP Builder program to increase his cycling FTP over the next couple months.

[briancrummy]

Nice work Taren! I've been following you for nearly two years now and thanks to following your Zone 2 guidance I was able to drop 50lbs. I was also able win the Chicago Rapha Cycling Club one week distance challenge this year. 749 miles, all Zone 2, all indoors (yikes). I will continue to follow your progress as I'm also looking to raise my FTP and continue to drop weight. Glad to see you're keeping the personalized videos with your new format (I was a little worried). Cheers and good luck!

[mudnsavy]

I am just now getting back into things again. I raced in October and just went off the bike for a little too long. It’s good to watch you again. I will do a step test soon and also be building. See ya.

[arodmind]

Solid work. You make it look easy. Just did my first FTP test ever and it was tough as a runner 😬

[colin]

There is some really great advice in here. I find the 20 minute test gives me a lower number (235W vs 255W), but when I use the ramp test, I have trouble holding the intervals in the workouts. If you are new use the ramp test, the 20 min test is hard to pace without practice (and it sucks more!).

[abrahamscott]

Thank you for making these videos Taren!! You're such an inspiration to me. Keep working hard!

[mikemcvea]

Taren, not asking this to be insulting in any way but more to gauge accuracy around the VO2 numbers. What is your weight now? It looks liek your Zwift weight hasn't been updated- 4.4 w/kg at 300W implies a 68kg weight (150lbs). The denominator of the VO2 calculation is also kg, so if you're using an older or lighter weight, the VO2 readings from the mask will be inflated.

[cyclingboss]

And thank you for all of your content. You have a great channel with some very good information.

[chrismccarter]

I have found if I do FTP tests in zwift on a flat course, I can get a few extra watts, as watching your avatar ride slowly up hill adds a small % increase in RPE, not sure if anyone else has seen this? I found it as well when I used to train with a PM on a dumb trainer, hills felt hard even with no trainer control!

[meatmk]

I had a over 300W indoors before we had a second kid, its no where near that now haha.

[abrahamscott]

This came out right when I needed it!! I have a FTP test on Thursday. My last FTP is 251 and I really want to improve

[jonathanweatherill]

5.2/wkg at 360w so your current weight is 70kg?

[sirnickvasilescu]

Sorry but when you were pushing 360 watts and your w/kg was 5.3 that means that you’re 68kg or 150lbs. Not trying to be rude but I highly doubt you are at that weight currently. You look more like 185lbs range..

[antoniot.]

20.3.2022 i buy my first road bike . After 2 Months 30.5 i did my first FTP 282 Watts and today 30.6 i did 298 Watts on 20 minutes ride + really hot day temperatur over 32.

[thelmaviaduct]

Now you've got your FTP, try the 20 min one at 105% of 275W (289W). That's your pacing sorted there 😉 Good luck 🙏

[DCassidy]

Watts per kilo is more of a valuable indicator of performance. Gaining power is good, yes, but if you drop weight you can achieve better performance for less effort. This also translates to faster running performance and injury reduction. Less is more. No to crap on you, but with your watts per kilo you are sitting around 150lbs?... You might want to input your weight accurately before you pat yourself on the back 21:45.

[davehowson]

Great video kept me going to my PB FTP

[blinzi]

I am stuck at 3w/kg for years - I think my highest was 220w which was equal to 3, 2w/kg at that point - I weighed just below 70kg. 2 years later today I weigh around 71-72kg and my FTP is still around that number or even slightly below. I am turning 40 next year.

[smb]

I like the ramp - but I'm not sure I trust it.. indoor my results were 314 last test I did.. I honestly don't feel like I could hold 314 for an hour... I have high sprint capabilities looking at my garmin my power curve is as follows : 1 sec - 1367 Watts, 2 sec - 1342, 5 sec - 1314W, 10sec - 1300W... I can do high watts with recoveries which is good for crit style racing.. but not sure what sort of consistent effort I could do.. or even bursty effort that would average to that..

[cyclingboss]

I am so hopeful for my next ramp test. Workouts have been going good and I feel strong right now. I don't think I will hut 300 just yet but hope there is a nice bump from my last 283W test result. Keep up with this series.

[spenabella]

I’m in Riyadh, Saudí Arabia. Did a short and easy ride, 1 hour, zone 1 mainly and some Z2. 12 C outside and I was freezing 🥶!!!! -30 C. That’s