I agree, a blend of the two is the way to go. But honestly, whatever keeps you on the bike is the best way to go. I did Tiny races this weekend and they pushed me more than any intervals would.
Structured training every time if we're talking about what's optimal. That said, if someone gets bored with structured training and gets burned out on it / won't stick with it . . . but can stay consistent with racing . . . well consistency is king. Me personally, I find when I race any more than once a week, I need to start dropping down to only one structured workout. I'm now settling in at 1 race a week at most which allows me to do proper structured training. I've found that the best progression I make is when races are the test of my training . . . and not the training itself.
exactly... difference between best structural workout and some random race is negligible on the long run... as long as you touch some efforts 1, 5, 10, 20min once in a week or so, it good enough ... structure is overrated.
I feel the same. I do like to mix in a race every week or two replacing a normal interval training session. To mix it up, sometimes I'll join a large group event, sag at the start, and then do repeated "interval" hard efforts to work up from blob to blob trying to get to the front group. Those bridge efforts moving up groups can be more controllable repeated efforts vs pushing hard at a race start to be in the front group and then responding to attacks/attacking.
Your humility is still refreshing Max. I’m giving thought to lower Cat B ZRL’s with my team that I sweep for. Always feel that the race arena should be daunting (if we are honest and run 💯 resistance, it should be). Cheers 🤘🏽
I personally can push myself way harder in races than a workout. My FTP was much higher than I realised after a few weeks of racing. I can suffer much more if I think I’m going to get dropped. However, some races are frustrating for fitness because the bunch is super slow for too long. The cat and mouse team time trials are insane for fitness because you can just take more turns at the front, and bring your team closer rather than just suffering your own personal race result.
This is exactly it. You’ve nailed it on the head. Which is some races are great for pushing you super deep in a hole but then there’s too much recovery. I’ve realised I need to do both workouts and races. That’s what’s got me way fitter than before
Racing gives you those nice dopamine hits as long as you’ve emptied the tank somewhat as you say! Quite often a suicidal solo is required that ends in disaster 😂
Last winter (new to Zwift), racing really did improve my fitness. However, addictively smashing races soon took it's toll on recovery. I've learned to slow it down and pull off a couple of structured sessions a week instead; you really benefit from working within achievable targets and controlled fatigue to achieve the right stimulus. I will sprinkle that with some races here and there, but it won't be every week.
99% of my hard rides are Zwift races. I only ride on Zwift, and with the 4-5 40 mins I have a week to ride this is the way I get to have fun twice a week and keep fit. I’m sure I could be fitter if I followed a programme, but that might also mean it takes longer (time I don’t have) or is less fun (so I don’t do it). Be interested to see if progress remains the same over this winter Hopefully see you in races more regularly again
Yep I agree, I love zwift racing and it always makes me push. I know intervals would help me without a doubt and appreciate those sessions that I should do and I agree with you again. I just do what I enjoy mostly but will be adding it if I can.
As much as i enjoy the racing i found that it made me fit without making me strong. It is a hard hour that leaves a lot of fatigue. Races are more consistently hard rather than workouts which have super hard sections but also recovery.
I was a mid pack B occasionally top 10 now in 520/690 and just aim to finish with the front group. Defo harder. This has made the racing a bit of a slap every time but I’d still take it over a structured workout all day long.
great coverage the major difference was well demonstrated in the sprint .. fatigue. a good structured workout program should have you nearly recovered for each session by inducing just enough fatigue for an adaption, where racing due to being unpredictable can induce too much fatigue that'll carry over and could result in the rider plateauing progress wise. Racing of course is fun and random, just needs to be kept in control 'if' you're trying to build ftp for example.
Very interesting topic! Last winter 2023 i try MyWhoosh FTP builder workout program for 3 month!!. So in January i was 47yo for 1m68 and 71kg my first 20min avg power was 189watts. In FEBRUARY 213watts! in March 218watts and in April 228watts at 69kg. It's 39 watts improvement! I am gonna repeat the same thing this winter! I'm also looking to get 4w/kg ftp.
Great to see you back with Zwift videos. The new race score system has dropped me down to "c cat" and based on my latest races I'm not sure if will manage to get upgraded to "b cat" again ;)
I saw they have changed the ZRScore again, and probbaly for the best. Basing it on a 5 min power makes sense- gonna have to throw down some good 5 min attacks in some races to try get mine up ;)
There is also difference between training and working out. You workout to sweat and burn a few calories, you train when you have a structured plan and you follow it
Not all structured plans should be followed exactly but i see what you mean. If you do 2x workouts a week and 1x race then zone two on another day thats a training plan and will yield results
Great vid Max, this reminds me I need to do more intervals. I can hold 4wkg for 40 minutes but struggle to hold the group when it surges mid race and often get dropped 🤨. 👍
Its interesting because i had this same thought yesterday after racing Big Foot hills, it was kinda perfect for Vo2 since you smash hilly kom, vol kom, titans, and then hilly rev. Way more down time than i would normally have but i also drove the pace close to ftp for most of it anyway. I almost always do community races as a workout but usually more for 10min-20min steady power but i can really see the benefit of using it for 2-5min Vo2 and then folding back into the peloton. Yea in Cat A the hill doesnt stop at the crest hahaha, this is exactly where you break people
I enjoy racing (on Rouvy) and my plan is to have easy days (often long and easy) between the racedays. The racing gives me fun, and all I need of high intensity training.
good effort, i dont do erg training(long term its bad lateral loads on joints) i use routes to give the outputs required. titans or coastal depending on focus 20sec upto 5min, training fitness is lower then race fitness thats the rule of thumb. race sprinter view point, that final sprint starts 5sec before the jersey line and get over 55kmh, aim to knock out 900-1000watts av over 20secs and racers just melt away
Been doing almost only racing and some easy Z2 Training latley, racing works great for me! Can now manage a 4.8 W/kg for 20min cuz i have been racing hard and pushing the limit all the time.
A mix is best as you said, whether that’s structured training and Zwift racing or just doing some unstructured hard rides every so often to try hit some longer duration power PBs / smash a few Strava segments 🙂
My problem seems to be that ive done a load of really long events and rides and that has given me a great engine but my sharp end has struggled. The intervals are really really helping bring me back into the fold of strong sustained watts
I use the racing (only once a week) as training because the others push me, instead of having to push myself. Btw, in general longer VO2 max intervals are between 4-6 min (not 2'), gives your body time to settle lnto the effort and hit the right systems. (For sprinters, short intervals don't even hit the right spot because they are able to bridge the effort based on muscle structure)
Unsurprisingly, I find the answer is to do a bit of both. A healthy race plan (I do ZRL + Ladder racing) with workouts inbetween (and/or a longer ride at the weekend) is what I've found works best. And yes, the fire socks don't get ghosted even if the rest of you does.
Interval training got me the fastest I have ever been..... for one winter. But Zwift racing keeps me coming back year after year after year. At the minute, I'm just doing a couple of zwift races per week to keep me ticking along before I start back to Base next Jan/Feb.
Hey Mate. What workouts (type and duration) would you suggest for someone who wants to improve on long distance? Most of the training (time wise) is probably Z2. That seems obvious to me to build out the aerobic engine. But apart from that, would you say some 20mins interval threshold sessions would be beneficial too?
Two of them are- but the VO2 Max Big Boi is taken from a Nat B racer and custom created. It’s my favourite session and I always fail it. Drop me an email if you want it
Racing Real World, Zwift is Not … Outdoors, and a Real Race or a Real Race Ride with your Mates/Friends is what it is all about… Racing Zwift and Winning means nothing, because You never know if it is Real (Too many Cheaters/Sandbaggers). But, Yes Zwift does/can make you Stronger, for many of the reasons You stated… Stay attached (the best you can) to the Front Group to the End… Did you achieve your WKG’s 🤔… Did you set any PR’s… Always take Zwift with a Grain of Salt, and Yes again as you pointed out… That Guy that is Riding at 4.5/5.0 WKG’s for the Entirety of the Race ??? Whatever 🤔🚴♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♀️And PS Super Happy you are about to Hit. 10,000 Subs 💪
Cat A they go full gas before the climbs to put weaker riders at the back, then the best guys go full gas up the climb, and the very best go hard over the crest.
@@thewattlife I was agog when you said you did mostly running in the summer as it seemed like you were never off your bike! Might be nice to see a vid of your overall routine. Any stretching or yoga in there? Do you get massages/physio? Any stuff that helps the 40+ guys keep at it and importantly avoid injury.
Hours spent in the saddle! For whatever reason I have never liked indoor cycling, be it Zwift, Wahoo or Trainer Road. Following a structured outdoor plan takes the enjoyment out of it for me. If the weather is bad I go to the gym or go running.
The red horizontal line is my heart rate, so you’ll see it spike up after the big hard efforts and lets you keep an eye on your HR history for the race/ride
*not a humble brag You just mentioned that you skip some intervals depending how you feel and I've noticed a lot of people in the live chat on zwift saying they dropped several stars on group workouts. Surely if your pretty fresh and you have your FTP set correctly you should be completing workouts?. I've been zwifting for 5+ years and don't see the point of doing a workout if your not completing it, wouldn't you just do a zone 2 of go for a free ride if your fatigued. Thanks for the content
Yeah i think this is the conversation around training. Theres a lot of things that feed into feeling fresh- sleep effects your insulin response, so its not always as clear cut. If you have a busy week and its the only time you can do a session then trying and failing is failing forward. Part of a bigger convo about coaching and training though right?
I’ve recently gotten a coach cause I want to go pro My coach always sets me 2 and a half hours plus with intervals as it gets the endurance up and then one day I get to do whatever I want and I’ve gotten my ftp to 3.9wkg
I can't stand structured training. It's too boring. Just the name "structured training" is a turn off for me. So for me racing zwift 3 to 4 times a week hits the spot. I then try to get an IRL crit done on the weekend with a few IRL bunch rides thrown in for reco and being social. This is what works for me.
Have you found yourself improving or have you managed to increase your Zwift racing score? I don’t mind workouts, but I tend to do the ones with more changes to the program than just simple 20 min tempo etc
@@thewattlife My race score is 778. It started at 690 a few mths ago but they have made some changes to how they calculate that race score so it's hard to measure improvement from the race score alone. My NP for most races is 350 to 370w. I'm a 93kg big diesel sprinter. Zwift racing is (1) staying in the bunch (2) letting others chase gaps (3) executing the sprint. 15s power is where the most of the winning is done. My 15s power is 1323w. My sprint technique usually starts 350m out - head down - 50 MAX strokes with everything I have and I mean EVERYTHING. If I can do 50 MAX strokes I don't lose many sprints. You could build a training session for this sprint too and I probably should but I'm not that disciplined and just love the thrill and fun racing. :D
would you go to the gym and randomly lift dumbells, bars, or use machines? you will get stronger for sure but how will you know? and how long will it last for? its all good until you bump up against your limit of time or volume. it also depends if it actually matters to your cycling. your body has no idea what you are doing or why on a bike. it just understands homeostasis and signals of adaptation. everything works, until it doesn't.
Yeah- In the old system I was a Cat B, and for the new system I’m probably the lowest Cat B rider you’ll find. I enter hard races so my racing score is like 521 or something
@ here 35K+ kms of Zwift and level 78...u can use a Mtb/gravel on asphalt as well,nothing can beat riding outdoors,Zwift is an illusion,Circus !!! dudes making 40km/avg when outdoors hardly can reach 27km/hr avg
Great video Max. Nice to hear your comments on both racing and structured training. It’s encouraging to know I’m not the only one failing on some brutal workouts. How long are your zone 2 rides are they group rides?
There is also difference between training and working out. You workout to sweat and burn a few calories, you train when you have a structured plan and you follow it
agree... It's like going on Peloton and choosing a totally random workout every time. Training should take account the phase of training, the length of workout, time in zones and most importantly recovery.
I agree, a blend of the two is the way to go. But honestly, whatever keeps you on the bike is the best way to go. I did Tiny races this weekend and they pushed me more than any intervals would.
I’ve got good numbers on the bike, but racing doesn't excite me at all!
Structured training every time if we're talking about what's optimal. That said, if someone gets bored with structured training and gets burned out on it / won't stick with it . . . but can stay consistent with racing . . . well consistency is king. Me personally, I find when I race any more than once a week, I need to start dropping down to only one structured workout. I'm now settling in at 1 race a week at most which allows me to do proper structured training. I've found that the best progression I make is when races are the test of my training . . . and not the training itself.
Consistency is key. Whatever makes you consistent will get you most of the way there.
exactly... difference between best structural workout and some random race is negligible on the long run... as long as you touch some efforts 1, 5, 10, 20min once in a week or so, it good enough ... structure is overrated.
Really good video. Cat B looks brutal. :)
Certainly can be. I like the new Cat system
I feel the same. I do like to mix in a race every week or two replacing a normal interval training session. To mix it up, sometimes I'll join a large group event, sag at the start, and then do repeated "interval" hard efforts to work up from blob to blob trying to get to the front group. Those bridge efforts moving up groups can be more controllable repeated efforts vs pushing hard at a race start to be in the front group and then responding to attacks/attacking.
I love your indoor videos! I’m looking forward to the winter season 🙌🏻 thanks for all your hard work
Have a Zwift Racing League video out next week
@ awesome, looking forward to it!
Your humility is still refreshing Max. I’m giving thought to lower Cat B ZRL’s with my team that I sweep for. Always feel that the race arena should be daunting (if we are honest and run 💯 resistance, it should be). Cheers 🤘🏽
I personally can push myself way harder in races than a workout. My FTP was much higher than I realised after a few weeks of racing. I can suffer much more if I think I’m going to get dropped.
However, some races are frustrating for fitness because the bunch is super slow for too long.
The cat and mouse team time trials are insane for fitness because you can just take more turns at the front, and bring your team closer rather than just suffering your own personal race result.
This is exactly it. You’ve nailed it on the head. Which is some races are great for pushing you super deep in a hole but then there’s too much recovery. I’ve realised I need to do both workouts and races. That’s what’s got me way fitter than before
Racing gives you those nice dopamine hits as long as you’ve emptied the tank somewhat as you say! Quite often a suicidal solo is required that ends in disaster 😂
Last winter (new to Zwift), racing really did improve my fitness. However, addictively smashing races soon took it's toll on recovery. I've learned to slow it down and pull off a couple of structured sessions a week instead; you really benefit from working within achievable targets and controlled fatigue to achieve the right stimulus. I will sprinkle that with some races here and there, but it won't be every week.
99% of my hard rides are Zwift races.
I only ride on Zwift, and with the 4-5 40 mins I have a week to ride this is the way I get to have fun twice a week and keep fit.
I’m sure I could be fitter if I followed a programme, but that might also mean it takes longer (time I don’t have) or is less fun (so I don’t do it).
Be interested to see if progress remains the same over this winter
Hopefully see you in races more regularly again
For sure man we need to get some races in. After this week is over I’ll have a lot more availability to jump into races. Especially over Christmas a
Yep I agree, I love zwift racing and it always makes me push. I know intervals would help me without a doubt and appreciate those sessions that I should do and I agree with you again. I just do what I enjoy mostly but will be adding it if I can.
good video , i was a 3.9/4.0 cat b rider, now my score is 560 and getting hammered in the new cat b/score above 520 races
As much as i enjoy the racing i found that it made me fit without making me strong. It is a hard hour that leaves a lot of fatigue. Races are more consistently hard rather than workouts which have super hard sections but also recovery.
I was a mid pack B occasionally top 10 now in 520/690 and just aim to finish with the front group. Defo harder. This has made the racing a bit of a slap every time but I’d still take it over a structured workout all day long.
great coverage the major difference was well demonstrated in the sprint .. fatigue. a good structured workout program should have you nearly recovered for each session by inducing just enough fatigue for an adaption, where racing due to being unpredictable can induce too much fatigue that'll carry over and could result in the rider plateauing progress wise. Racing of course is fun and random, just needs to be kept in control 'if' you're trying to build ftp for example.
Love the vid! You said you were not at your best fitness OMG no point me riding against you lol Consistency is key and defo helps me improve
Zone 1-2 training will always make you a better racer. I love to go fast so zwift helps he keeps pace which is amazing.
Zone 1-2 alone isn’t enough to help make you a better racer. You’ll still need a bunch of anaerobic sessions if you want to be good at racing
Great video Max as always 🙌
Cheers dude- please stop training so hard!!! See you on Tuesday for the points race
Very interesting topic! Last winter 2023 i try MyWhoosh FTP builder workout program for 3 month!!. So in January i was 47yo for 1m68 and 71kg my first 20min avg power was 189watts.
In FEBRUARY 213watts! in March 218watts and in April 228watts at 69kg. It's 39 watts improvement! I am gonna repeat the same thing this winter! I'm also looking to get 4w/kg ftp.
Great to see you back with Zwift videos. The new race score system has dropped me down to "c cat" and based on my latest races I'm not sure if will manage to get upgraded to "b cat" again ;)
I saw they have changed the ZRScore again, and probbaly for the best. Basing it on a 5 min power makes sense- gonna have to throw down some good 5 min attacks in some races to try get mine up ;)
There is also difference between training and working out. You workout to sweat and burn a few calories, you train when you have a structured plan and you follow it
Not all structured plans should be followed exactly but i see what you mean.
If you do 2x workouts a week and 1x race then zone two on another day thats a training plan and will yield results
Great vid Max, this reminds me I need to do more intervals. I can hold 4wkg for 40 minutes but struggle to hold the group when it surges mid race and often get dropped 🤨. 👍
I’m on a quest to achieve that 40 mins over 4 w/kg. I think the intervals and rest periods I use will really help. If nothing else it hurts like hell
Its interesting because i had this same thought yesterday after racing Big Foot hills, it was kinda perfect for Vo2 since you smash hilly kom, vol kom, titans, and then hilly rev. Way more down time than i would normally have but i also drove the pace close to ftp for most of it anyway. I almost always do community races as a workout but usually more for 10min-20min steady power but i can really see the benefit of using it for 2-5min Vo2 and then folding back into the peloton.
Yea in Cat A the hill doesnt stop at the crest hahaha, this is exactly where you break people
I enjoy racing (on Rouvy) and my plan is to have easy days (often long and easy) between the racedays. The racing gives me fun, and all I need of high intensity training.
good effort, i dont do erg training(long term its bad lateral loads on joints) i use routes to give the outputs required. titans or coastal depending on focus 20sec upto 5min, training fitness is lower then race fitness thats the rule of thumb. race sprinter view point, that final sprint starts 5sec before the jersey line and get over 55kmh, aim to knock out 900-1000watts av over 20secs and racers just melt away
Dont be to hard on yourself. I started cycling this year. Cat. D/C now and a ftp of 250. Im dreaming of your numbers ;) its all relative.
It’s all relative and fun. Really enjoying it and love the fact that with Zwift racing it can still feel like fun and not just suffering in the winter
Been doing almost only racing and some easy Z2 Training latley, racing works great for me! Can now manage a 4.8 W/kg for 20min cuz i have been racing hard and pushing the limit all the time.
I dream of 4.8. Congrats on sticking with it and glad it’s given so much back
A mix is best as you said, whether that’s structured training and Zwift racing or just doing some unstructured hard rides every so often to try hit some longer duration power PBs / smash a few Strava segments 🙂
With the Tour of Watopia and and some other longer 50+km events I found helpful preparing for outdoor races...
My problem seems to be that ive done a load of really long events and rides and that has given me a great engine but my sharp end has struggled. The intervals are really really helping bring me back into the fold of strong sustained watts
I use the racing (only once a week) as training because the others push me, instead of having to push myself. Btw, in general longer VO2 max intervals are between 4-6 min (not 2'), gives your body time to settle lnto the effort and hit the right systems.
(For sprinters, short intervals don't even hit the right spot because they are able to bridge the effort based on muscle structure)
Unsurprisingly, I find the answer is to do a bit of both. A healthy race plan (I do ZRL + Ladder racing) with workouts inbetween (and/or a longer ride at the weekend) is what I've found works best. And yes, the fire socks don't get ghosted even if the rest of you does.
Interval training got me the fastest I have ever been..... for one winter. But Zwift racing keeps me coming back year after year after year. At the minute, I'm just doing a couple of zwift races per week to keep me ticking along before I start back to Base next Jan/Feb.
I’m deep into the interval and racing winter training- hoping to hit the ground running in Jan. Will see if it pays off
Well done.
Tell me. Is the Cycplus T3 a good cost/benefit?
Thank u
Want a mix of vo2 max with a race vibe. Try the zwiftinsider tiny race series
It's a brilliant format.
lol why do you call the flames under the wheel flaming socks and not a flaming wheel? 😂
Because you have to get to a certain level to ‘unlock’ the flame socks, which will then allow your bike to put out the flames when you cycle.
Yes
Where can I find the first workout you have listed here - VO2 Big Boi? I can’t find it on Zwift, or on the Companion app
Same question
Ditto
I can't find it either.
it’s the difference between Testing your fitness(Racing) as opposed to Developing your fitness (Structured w/o).
Exactly. Well said
If I'm riding regular, I try and 1 race a week. Rest is usually zone 2 or something like those training modules.
Hey Mate. What workouts (type and duration) would you suggest for someone who wants to improve on long distance? Most of the training (time wise) is probably Z2. That seems obvious to me to build out the aerobic engine. But apart from that, would you say some 20mins interval threshold sessions would be beneficial too?
nice ride! lets see 301 avg for that next one!
Plan is to get up over that 300 threshold asap
Another trainer I'm interested in, before tariffs take us all down, is the latest Magene trainer with road feel.....1/2 the price of Tacx Neo M
Interesting yeah I know they are big in the trainer market
Are those 3 workouts on Zwift or do you create them yourself? Cool to see you getting close to your w/kg goal
Two of them are- but the VO2 Max Big Boi is taken from a Nat B racer and custom created. It’s my favourite session and I always fail it. Drop me an email if you want it
That’d be great. Thanks!
Racing Real World, Zwift is Not … Outdoors, and a Real Race or a Real Race Ride with your Mates/Friends is what it is all about… Racing Zwift and Winning means nothing, because You never know if it is Real (Too many Cheaters/Sandbaggers). But, Yes Zwift does/can make you Stronger, for many of the reasons You stated… Stay attached (the best you can) to the Front Group to the End… Did you achieve your WKG’s 🤔… Did you set any PR’s… Always take Zwift with a Grain of Salt, and Yes again as you pointed out… That Guy that is Riding at 4.5/5.0 WKG’s for the Entirety of the Race ??? Whatever 🤔🚴♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♀️And PS Super Happy you are about to Hit. 10,000 Subs 💪
Cat A they go full gas before the climbs to put weaker riders at the back, then the best guys go full gas up the climb, and the very best go hard over the crest.
Cat A is a cesspool of cheats. I’ve researched this a lot. About 25% legit. It’s that bad.
Nice one Max. Do you do any cycling specific weights work in the gym?
I do but at the moment it isn’t particularly extensive and is mostly kettlebell single leg exercises and some deadlifts on the oly bar
@@thewattlife
I was agog when you said you did mostly running in the summer as it seemed like you were never off your bike!
Might be nice to see a vid of your overall routine. Any stretching or yoga in there? Do you get massages/physio? Any stuff that helps the 40+ guys keep at it and importantly avoid injury.
Hours spent in the saddle!
For whatever reason I have never liked indoor cycling, be it Zwift, Wahoo or Trainer Road.
Following a structured outdoor plan takes the enjoyment out of it for me.
If the weather is bad I go to the gym or go running.
I struggle with sessions that I do outdoors because traffic lights and roads make it so much harder
Try some over unders too I think they simulate racing even better. Teaches your body to recover while still going pretty hard.
Will def add these to the list
This Peak program u have on the bottum of the screen. There are and Red line horizontal its that u FTP line?
The red horizontal line is my heart rate, so you’ll see it spike up after the big hard efforts and lets you keep an eye on your HR history for the race/ride
*not a humble brag
You just mentioned that you skip some intervals depending how you feel and I've noticed a lot of people in the live chat on zwift saying they dropped several stars on group workouts.
Surely if your pretty fresh and you have your FTP set correctly you should be completing workouts?. I've been zwifting for 5+ years and don't see the point of doing a workout if your not completing it, wouldn't you just do a zone 2 of go for a free ride if your fatigued. Thanks for the content
Yeah i think this is the conversation around training. Theres a lot of things that feed into feeling fresh- sleep effects your insulin response, so its not always as clear cut. If you have a busy week and its the only time you can do a session then trying and failing is failing forward.
Part of a bigger convo about coaching and training though right?
@thewattlife yep different subject but your reference to it just reminded me👍 cheers
I like the 30/30 workout on Mywoosh which consists in 40 repetitions.🥵🤪🤗💪
Ouff, 40 reps in one hit?
I have 2x sets of 30/15 tomorrow
@ 20 reps rec and 20 reps for a total of 20 minutes in VO2 max.
No mention of Junk miles? Cause everyone loves junk miles 😅
Is it the 2t or 3m? 3t doesn't exist 😅
This one:
www.cycplus.com/products/smart-bike-trainer-t3?srsltid=AfmBOorDOy5-pxo2qQFtpmFmy5XW1Aeh9xUsaPKHuREpXSOhVmi2QyMH
I’ve recently gotten a coach cause I want to go pro
My coach always sets me 2 and a half hours plus with intervals as it gets the endurance up and then one day I get to do whatever I want and I’ve gotten my ftp to 3.9wkg
Each session is 2.5hrs?
Damn that’s quite a lot of cycling but strong work with the FTP
@ 2 and hours or more yes
What’s your hrs per week then?
@ aiming for 15-20
I can't stand structured training. It's too boring. Just the name "structured training" is a turn off for me. So for me racing zwift 3 to 4 times a week hits the spot. I then try to get an IRL crit done on the weekend with a few IRL bunch rides thrown in for reco and being social. This is what works for me.
Have you found yourself improving or have you managed to increase your Zwift racing score?
I don’t mind workouts, but I tend to do the ones with more changes to the program than just simple 20 min tempo etc
@@thewattlife My race score is 778. It started at 690 a few mths ago but they have made some changes to how they calculate that race score so it's hard to measure improvement from the race score alone. My NP for most races is 350 to 370w. I'm a 93kg big diesel sprinter. Zwift racing is (1) staying in the bunch (2) letting others chase gaps (3) executing the sprint. 15s power is where the most of the winning is done. My 15s power is 1323w. My sprint technique usually starts 350m out - head down - 50 MAX strokes with everything I have and I mean EVERYTHING. If I can do 50 MAX strokes I don't lose many sprints. You could build a training session for this sprint too and I probably should but I'm not that disciplined and just love the thrill and fun racing. :D
how much does you weigh?
77.2kg
would you go to the gym and randomly lift dumbells, bars, or use machines? you will get stronger for sure but how will you know? and how long will it last for? its all good until you bump up against your limit of time or volume. it also depends if it actually matters to your cycling. your body has no idea what you are doing or why on a bike. it just understands homeostasis and signals of adaptation. everything works, until it doesn't.
Are you a cat B ????
Yeah- In the old system I was a Cat B, and for the new system I’m probably the lowest Cat B rider you’ll find. I enter hard races so my racing score is like 521 or something
go riding outdoors with a mtb or gravel at this time of the year so to don't become a Zwift Clown (those who don't ride outdoors)
Oh I’m definitely Zwift clown. It’s good training and there’s no mountain biking near me
@ here 35K+ kms of Zwift and level 78...u can use a Mtb/gravel on asphalt as well,nothing can beat riding outdoors,Zwift is an illusion,Circus !!! dudes making 40km/avg when outdoors hardly can reach 27km/hr avg
The trainer looks faulty mate the numbers are high had one myself never again 😊
How can you tell the numbers are high?!
I had T2 version and had lots of issues peak torque says that version T3 is fine
It was pretty in keeping with all my last events and races. But I’ll keep an eye on it
You content is getting better each time keep it up 😊
Great video Max. Nice to hear your comments on both racing and structured training. It’s encouraging to know I’m not the only one failing on some brutal workouts. How long are your zone 2 rides are they group rides?
There is also difference between training and working out. You workout to sweat and burn a few calories, you train when you have a structured plan and you follow it
agree... It's like going on Peloton and choosing a totally random workout every time. Training should take account the phase of training, the length of workout, time in zones and most importantly recovery.