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Below is how you can perform this test yourself using Zwift to calculate your MAP and an estimate of your FTP. This is an excellent task to complete prior to doing your 20 minute FTP test.
1. Download this ZWIFT workout file. Right click and save it to your /Documents/Zwift/Workouts folder.
2. Open Zwift and go to SELET WORKOUT (or press 'E' when in the program) and select this workout.
3. Set your FTP to 100W *IMPORTANT*
4. Start the workout and proceed through the 25W steps......
5. As per the video. Record the following information
- Final Completed Stage:___________
- Uncompleted Stage:___________
- Duration of Uncompleted Stage:___________
Example:
- Final Completed Stage: 375W
- Uncompleted Stage: 400W
- Duration of Uncompleted Stage: 120seconds
6. Calculate your MAP with the figures from No.5.
- 120 seconds completed / 150 seconds steps = 0.8
- 0.8 * 25W (increments) = 20W
- Final completed stage + % of uncompleted = 375+20 = 395W
7. Calculate your estimated FTP
- 82.5% of MAP = 395W * 0.825 = 325.8W ESTIMATED FTP
8. Calculate your estimated 20minute FTP value
- 105% of your FTP = 325.8 * 1.05 = 342W
342W is the number this athlete should attempt to hold for their 20 minute FTP test.
Flipping this around - 95% of this figure gives you ~325W and should validate the step test and/or your 20 minute power test, which ever order you did them.
Now keep training, repeat, and check your progress!
33 comments:
Hi, I got a bit confused by "start at 50% of your ftp" and "10% increases". So lets say my ftp is 250, so I should start at 125 and increase by 12.5? Plus the fist step should it be 5 minutes (as in the video) or 2:30?
The protocol is 25W steps every 150 seconds. It's a little hard to implement within software like Zwift and TrainerRoad that work only on FTP and % of.
The link to the PubMed paper is in the YouTube video notes if you want to dive right into the specifics.
This testing protocol can't be right.
I did a step test and got to 375 watts, and could complete 1 minute 30 seconds of it and then stopped. Now that leaves the following:
60 seconds / 150 = 0.4
0.4 * 25w = 10
= 350 + 10 = 360w
= 0.825 * 360 = 297watts as estimated ftp
Now.....
Say if I have 10 seconds uncompleted of the 375 watts... I get a lower FTP?!
10 seconds / 150 = 0.066667
0.06667 * 25 = 1.66667
= 350 + 1.6667 = 351.6667w
=0.825 * 351.6667 = 290.125watts as estimated ftp.
How can that be possible as I would have completed a longer period of time?
Joe - You mentioned you got 1min30sec (90 seconds) into the 375W stage.
The math on that:
90/150 = 0.6
0.6 * 25w = 15
350 + 15 = 365W
0.825 * 365 = 301.125W
There's no calculation based on uncompleted time... It's completed time in seconds (90 in your case, not 60) of the final stage you reached.
Hi,
i use program for test yesterday. I was on zwift and bkool trainer. I am little confused. When i tried to track W i had my cadence over 90 rpm. Is this ok??? I have done similar test and as i recall cadence was around 80-90 rpm.
Hi Shane,
After having an 8min FTP test in T-Road, which gave me an unrealistic FTP of 99 (I´m coming from a knee surgery but I´m not so bad), decided to go with your STEP test to double check that number and I´m very happy with results, which are much more realistic to my riding. I got and EST.FTP of 200W. I think my issue with TR test was technical, since I felt didn´t have enough resistance during test intervals, ran out of gears and couldn´t log more watts, I´m checking this issue with them,
Can I start training on TRoad with that FTP, or should I do a 3rd 20min FTP test to validate that number?? Simply I just want to start training and don´t want to make a 3rd FTP test.
Cheers,
Isaac
This is based around a 100% fit/healthy subject. If you're injured or coming back from surgery then it's best to refer to your specialist(s) as to what exercise/testing is applicable.
Shane, sorry for the misunderstanding,
I´m 100% healthy now and had green light from Dr, been cycling for over a month (surgery was 3 months ago).
Obviously my FTP is lower than pre-surgery and that´s why I made the test to find out.
Just want to know if it´s a good idea to log the FTP result from step test on Troad to start training plan, or really is necessary to validate that number doing a 3rd 20min test, which I want to avoid.
Thanks!
Arh, ok. Testing is training! Get stuck into it and get your numbers again. There's no avoiding hard work when it comes to training, so just bite into it and get that 20 minutes done. When the clock ticks 20:01 you'll have the data and a good session in the legs.
That's right, thanks..
Zwift FTP workout is a good place to get tested?
Hi Shane,
Been trying to download the Zwift file for the step test, but the link goes to a page showing only the directions of use... "Right click and save it to your /Documents/Zwift/Workouts folder." Should I do that on the link??? Surely thats when its downloaded. I thought I was computer savvy!!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have been doing 20min ftp testing for a little while now, but interested in doing one of these step test.
Keep up the good work, love your videos!
Hey Shane,
I right clicked and downloaded the file! Sorry to bother you with such trivial matters!!
Thanks a lot
Laurie
Right click the link and "Download Linked File As...." on Safari (just tested on the machine I'm on)
Or go to www.zwiftcoach.com and do the same. The file extension is ".zwo" for Zwift Work-Out.
What's a more accurate FTP test, the step test or the 20 min FTP?
Cheers, Dan
They're both estimates, that'll get pretty close. If you want true accuracy you have to do the whole hour.
Hi Shane,
How many rest days you suggest between MAP TEST and an FTP Test(validation test)for optimal results? Can be done the next day?
Thanks
Entirely up to you.
Thanks, Shane and Lane. thanks for creating the test and video. found it much better mentally than the 20-minute test. hard, but easier to concentrate at the job in hand. got an FTP PB of 272w which im pleased with as it is was after a block of endurance rides and rest! looking forward to doing it again in a few months time. cheers.
Hi Shane,
Thanks so much for this and for all your great content.
Quick question - is this supposed to work in erg mode?
Many thanks!
Ben
Ideally, yes.
My neo doesn't seem to be in erg running this workout, anything obvious you can think of that I'm doing wrong?
Thanks
In Zwift? Ensure ERG is checked on the workout loading/selection screen. Pop over to the Zwift Riders Facebook Group if you're still having issue and someone will chip in there. (Or Zwift Support)
Thanks so much, it was literally that simple! I was faffing around looking for erg settings after loading the workout...
Again thanks fo all the phenomenal content, keep up the good work!
Ben
This is essentially a VO2Max test. Very similar to a running 'bleep' or shuttle test, i.e. increasing interval levels until failure.
VO2Max and FTP can be very independent from each other. VO2Max is difficult to train and is essentially limited by your physiological makeup (lung capacity etc). FTP is a level well below your VO2Max, and not affected by VO2Max limiters and is much more trainable. The adaptations that cause improvements in FTP (such as increased lactate dissipation and mitochondrial enzymes) do not help with your O2 uptake and use. As such it's well demonstrated that one can improve their FTP over time with negligible change in their VO2Max. They're not quite mutually exclusive but can be considered independent metrics. As such I suggest there's a poor correlation between a % of VO2Max indicating FTP between different intervals.
Is there a way to do this from the iPhone app? if so can you email me dtatum6@gmail.com
Not easily. Custom iPhone/IOS workouts on Zwift are a little difficult to upload/sync. Zwift Support will be able to assist if you're up for the challenge.
Shane
I just completed the test with the kickr in erg mode and the quarq on the bike. I felt the erg mode effected my numbers due to the spiral of death.
Should i have not used erg mode?
I can hold power in the ranges better with out it and it would match the quarq better.
thanks
Brenden
The test is through to failure. Spiral of death = failure point. By design you nailed it. You can try this in non ERG mode if you're good at regulating the power zones. At the end of the day it's still an estimate and a repeatable protocol to stick to.
Hi Shane,
First of all, thank you for providing us excellent workouts.I've just completed the test. According to the test, my MAP is estimated 285W, which is almost comparable to my CP300, so I think it is appropriate figure. But my heart rate was 166pbm at failure point, my max heart rate is 182 so I'm afraid I gave up too early.
I would like to have your comments that 285w is correct or not.
I am 54 years old, male.
Thanks in advance
Takashi
It's difficult to provide one on one coaching for athletes here sorry. I'd recommend finding a coach who'd be able to review your training history, training load, response, and numbers from tests such as this one.
Hi,
Watch a lot of your content. Great work, keep it up! Just one note, you've got a calculation error at the end. In step 8. it should not be:
- 105% of your FTP = 325.8 * 1.05 = 342W
FIX --->> 325.8 / 0.95 ≈ 343W
Not much difference though! ;)
Hi Shane,
Thanks for this, used the test last night and got a result that I thought was about right... this is a perfect test prior to doing an FTP test for when you dont fully know your FTP... I also like how Dr Slane gives you a figure to aim for in the 20min FTP... Ride On
Hi Shane,
Thanks for this, worked a great!!! Really like your content... Ride On
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