The Garmin Ecosystem: Why Your Watch is More Important Than Your Power Meter

Updated Garmin Recovery Time of 13 hours showing Train as Usual status after a night of rest.

Garmin Recovery Time: Why Your Watch Beats Your Power Meter By The Garmin Guru | April 24, 2026 Understanding Garmin Recovery Time is essential for any athlete following a “Physiology First” approach. As a coach with over 20 years in the industry, I know that your bike computer is only half the story. To truly […]

Garmin Stamina VO2 Threshold: Mapping the Fatigue Trigger

A multi-metric physiological graph showing the decline of Garmin Stamina during 2x14 minute 22/8 cycling intervals alongside SmO2, DFAA-1, and VO2 data.

Garmin Stamina VO2 Threshold: Mapping the Fatigue Trigger In my ongoing pursuit of the “Physiology First” training approach at Onlinebikecoach.com, I have used the Garmin Stamina VO2 Threshold to map exactly where my internal stability ends and metabolic exhaustion begins. To build a more resilient aerobic engine, I need to know my limits. With my […]

Vo2Max and Mountain Biking

Vo2Master outdoor data collection.

Mountain Biking Requires Riding at Vo2Max! CAUTION – THIS POST IS NERD-HEAVY! IT IS DEEP IN THE WEEDS! DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK QUESTIONS!!!!! Ever since I received my Vo2Master back from my friend and code buddy in Canada, I have been collecting data on inside and outside rides. Not long ago, I rode two […]

The Road to 300 Watts FTP

Moxy DFAA-1 Vo2master PerfPro Studio

Right Now, It’s NOT about 300 Watts; It’s About Raising LOWER THRESHOLD

The goal of base is to train the body for Economy. Stamina is the fundamental Pillar for Polarized Training. When you train using DFAA-1, you can get a clearer picture of how your body is responding to the training. Wattage and traditional heart rate become

Xert Breakthrough With Physiological Metrics

Xert Is On Board With Some Serious Physiological Observations My Client, Dusty, achieved an Xert Breakthrough while I observed his Physiological Metrics. This is Part 2 of what will now be a 3-part series of videos. In Part 1, I described the physiological phenomena behind a good warmup. Today, we’re going to show how Xert […]

Xert Breakthrough With Physiological Metrics Part One – Warmup

Visualize Your Warmup With SmO2

We Use a Moxy Monitor, a Vo2 Master, PerfPro Studio, and Xert To Show a PROPER Warmup I continue to learn something almost daily when it comes to mixing Physics and Physiology. The data that we get and use for wattage training, is almost always complemented by the information I collect from physiology. We have […]

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???.

Billat 30-30’s with Xert, Vo2Master, and PerfPro

Billat 30-30’s Are a Great Way to Improve Your Ability to Suffer Under Load!   Xert has zones that flex with time spent above Threshold. When you bite into HIE, the Xert Dial responds by reducing the band of yellow or orange, and expanding the Purple arc, which is theoretically not possible to surpass. When […]

Xert 5MMP

Xert 5MMP – Can I REALLY Achieve A Breakthrough? I’m just nine days out from my Peak date per Xert. My Xert 5MMP is reading “355”, and it floats between 355 and 357. I rode some 5 minute intervals yesterday and barely broke 302! The Vo2 data is showing that 355 will be a true […]