Power meters · Public discussion

Does it matter? If so, how much?

Started by tonyzackery · · Last activity · 6 posts · 954 views

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01 / Original postDoes it matter? If so, how much?tonyzackery · 6 Jan 2007 02 / This pagePosts 1–6Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #6tonyzackery · 6 Jan 2007

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Power meters
Published
6 January 2007
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6 January 2007
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tonyzackery
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CadenceMountain biking

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  1. Original post
    tonyzackery
    Archived post
    #1

    Gurus, experts...

    I got a pressing question, what is the preferred protocol for doing power workouts???

    I have a stationary trainer/ergometer with power functions - RealAxiom VR. Can/should I do my workouts with no slope involved, or can/should I do them with some slope involved? Does it matter if I'm in the big chain ring or the small chain ring when I'm conducting power workouts? I.E., is 300 watts for 10 minutes at 80 cadence on 5% incline the same workout as 300 watts for 10 minutes at 90 rpm at 0% incline? I know very little about muscle recruitment on hills versus flats, but is it enough to change the entire effect of the workout?

    Basically, wrapping all my questions into one is this: For training adaptation to occur, does anything else really matter other than making sure I'm attaining the proper wattage readings for the appropriate time durations for whatever zone I'm targeting?

    I hope everyone can understand my question, albeit put in my non-physicist's layman's terms...

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  2. DesFlurane
    Archived post
    #2

    Nothing really matters except the power reading.

    Self select your normal cadence and put the bike into a gear that will give you the desired power output, or increase the slope on the trainer.

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  3. SolarEnergy
    Archived post
    #3

    To answer your question, I'd say that you'd better focus on generating watts using a self selected cadence. One that feels comfortable.

    Big or small chain ring? The faster your backwheel spins, the better it is. So you're probably better training on the big ring.

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  4. TiMan
    Archived post
    #4
    SolarEnergy said:

    To answer your question, I'd say that you'd better focus on generating watts using a self selected cadence. One that feels comfortable.

    Big or small chain ring? The faster your backwheel spins, the better it is. So you're probably better training on the big ring.

    Yup. I'll "second" the above. 🙂

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  5. Alex Simmons
    Archived post
    #5

    Power yes but to some extent consider the specific nature of your event and whether there are special demands that need to be considered in your training, such as:

    Riding position, e.g. a TT or a pursuit. You may need some time to adapt to a new riding position as power output may not be the same at first.

    Specific force/leg speed requirements (e.g. MTB or crits) that you might need to also consider when determining how to ensure adequate adaptations for the demands of those specific events.

    (I've never really thought bumping up the front of a bike on a trainer simulated climbing anyway but that's another debate I ain't getting into.)

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  6. tonyzackery
    Archived post
    #6

    Thanks for the info.

    In my relatively short time on my trainer, I've discovered it's much easier for me to generate higher watt averages over different durations when I'm climbing (ie in small chain ring and low gear on, say an 8% grade) versus on flat ground (big chain ring in high gear). I've heard that one is using more muscles when climbing so that is reason for the increased wattage readings. If this incorrect, can someone please explain what's going on here?? Thanks...

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