FTPist Magazine

Staying hydrated is about more than just quenching thirst; it’s about keeping your muscles firing and your power from dropping off a cliff. Here is the simple math you need for your next ride. You should aim to drink between 500ml and 750ml of fluid every hour you are on the bike, paired with 500mg […]

Picking Your Power Partner Choosing a smart trainer for your 2026 season comes down to one thing: making sure your hard work actually counts. For most of you, the Wahoo Kickr Core is still the best value on the market, while the Wahoo Kickr V6 is the gold standard for serious racing. If you want […]

A great bike fit is the bridge between your body and your machine. It’s how you turn effort into speed without ending up in pain. A perfect bike fit is the science of finding the "sweet spot" where your body produces the most power with the least amount of physical strain. It isn't about one […]

The Short Answer: Use Power to Lead, Heart Rate to Listen You should use power to set your pace and heart rate to monitor your health. Power tells you exactly how much work you’re doing in real-time, while heart rate tells you how your body is reacting to that work. Think of it like a […]

Your Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is the single most important number in your training because it defines your "engine size" and sets the intensity for every workout you do. Simply put, it’s the maximum average power you can hold for about an hour. If you don’t know this number, you’re just guessing in the dark; […]

Deciding between cables and batteries comes down to your budget and how much you hate maintenance. While electronic shifting is a luxury that offers perfect precision, mechanical shifting remains a reliable, cost-effective workhorse. If you want the most consistent, "set it and forget it" experience, electronic shifting is the clear winner. It eliminates the frustration […]

How You Stack Up: The Reality of FTP Numbers If you want the short answer, most recreational cyclists fall between 2.0 and 3.0 Watts per kilogram (W/kg). While your total wattage matters on flat roads, your power-to-weight ratio is the “great equalizer” that tells you how you’ll actually perform against your peers on a climb. […]

Why Indoor Training Is Harder on Your Body Riding a bike that goes nowhere is physically more demanding than riding outside, and it’s not just because there’s no downhill. When you’re on the road, you’re constantly shifting your weight, leaning into corners, and standing up to crest hills. Your body gets “micro-breaks” every time you […]

Think of a microcycle as your weekly "to-do" list for getting faster on the bike. It is the smallest building block of your training plan, usually lasting seven days, designed to balance hard work with necessary rest. What is a microcycle? A microcycle is simply your weekly training schedule. While pro coaches use the term […]