Xert FTP Tested

Xert Claims my FTP (Functional Threshold Power) Sits At 265 Watts. Is It Accurate?

I’ve always wondered if calculated Functional Threshold Power Values are accurate. Since 2017, however, I have relied on the Xert FTP value.

For years, we relied on the “20-Minute” Test. Riders would perform a 20-Minute effort, all out, and then subtract 5% from that value. The new number was considered “Threshold”.

Later, physiologists looked at 90% of a 3-Minute Maximal Effort.

There’s the 5-1-5 test….

Step Tests (25w steps every 3 minutes)…

Ramp tests (15-20w every minute)…

The latest ‘Testing’ asks for a 20-minute, 5-minute, 1-minute, and 5-second effort.

[caption id="attachment_12832" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Xert FTP Garmin PerfPro Studio Vo2 Master Xert Claims that my FTP (Functional Threshold Power) is at 265 watts. Let’s find out how accurate that really is.[/caption]

NO MORE TESTING???.

Moxy Monitor Warmup Protocol

The Moxy Monitor Warmup Protocol Ensures a Better Ride!   The Moxy Monitor gives cyclists a better window into their body, and how the body responds to intervals and recovery. When we use the Moxy for warmup observations, we end up with a higher saturated muscle oxygen (SMo2), and a higher Total Hemoglobin Count (ThB). […]

Blowing Up A Workout

The Workout

My first mistake was in preparation. I needed to make some changes in the warmup, but I’m not the biggest fan of the Xert Workout Builder. The changes I wanted were made, but I also ended up making 8 warmup intervals, instead of 8 starter 30-second intervals. That meant that I had to dance around in the workout itself, jumping here and there, to get the warmup I wanted in.

[caption id="attachment_12418" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Xert OBC Billat 30-30s Using Slope Mode Blowing Up a Workout Here’s the workout. I had no problem achieving the first 6 intervals. It was trying to hit my goals for the next several intervals that blew me up completely.[/caption]

The next problem I encountered in setup was that the 30-second warmup intervals were just too hard. I set them based on % of FTP, instead of % slope, and they pulled my SmO2 values down to SEVEN PERCENT. I only performed five of these, but they really hurt.