Coach: how do I improve my FTP? (A Simplified Approach)
This is probably at the top of the FAQs. I was asked again today by Jake a beginner: “How do I improve my FTP via training?” Rather than go deep …
Coach, how should I transition training from indoor to outdoor riding?
Swen wrote to me on ICU and said “I am a big fan of you and your experience and research in cycling. I have been riding structured training with polarised …
10 Best Free Apps to Log your Gym Workout
There are a lot of reasons to add gym work to your cycling. And if you do, it’s nice….actually essential…..to have a simple gym app which can help you log …
Myths about Fat Oxidation and Exercise (aka is it time to forget about FatMax)?
Carbohydrates in their base form glucose or glycogen (in the muscles) can be turned into ATP very quickly but you only get 2 molecules of ATP per glucose molecule. Therefore …
Coach, I am sick today with flu, should I train?
It is cold and flu season (and I didn’t even mention coronavirus 😉 ) But it’s tricky to know whether to exercise and train, particularly tricky as even doctors don’t …
10 things to do with your *new* powermeter
So you just got a power meter? Great now do this….. 1. Set It Up Correctly First things first, unbox it and send the photos to you all your …
Winter is Coming (cyclist’s survival guide!)
Winter is coming, actually I think it is here. I should know I live in the UK where is gets light at 8am and gets dark at 3.30pm during late …
Coach, should I consider a keto diet for training?
Previously we look at fasted training. Fasted means low calorie (restricting carbohydrate and/or fat and/or protein intake). But what if you combine low carbohydrate with high fats? Then you have …
Coronavirus & Deconditioning
I was diagnosed with coronavirus in September 2020. Here is what I discovered. The immediate effects of coronavirus were expected. Fatigue, loss of taste, muscle aches, headaches but no chest …
Training Readiness
On the science of achieving your goals. Did you ever look up the stats on gym goers? Everyone signs up in January but what happens by July? 80% have stopped …
How *not* to do a roll down test to find your best tyre CRR
Why this roll-down test quickly went downhill David Arthur of cycling weekly recently did a roll down on youtube. It was a pretty nice attempt at face value and it …
Coach am I stuck in a training rut or normal plateau? (on the science of gains)
Do you feel like you might be stuck in a training rut? Yes, its possible, we have all been there, but other options are also likely. Let’s have a look …
Coach, how do I go Faster on Gravel?
What savings apply in a gravel race? Here at FastFitness.Tips we have addressed almost everything about going faster on a road bike. But we haven’t specifically addressed going faster on a …
Why it’s time to ditch your bottle
For years cyclists have used water bottles……but maybe its time to think again? I am rethinking the need to carry a bottle everywhere. And that’s just for me…..if you are …
10 reasons riding climbs feels different (to riding on flat) *at the same watts*
This was a question from the zwift forum. A watt is a watt isn’t it? Yes true. So what’s the difference between 250w climbing and 250w on the flat? Some …
Coach, how do I stay fit whilst locked-down or on vacation?
Most of us have been locked down for months, and some people are finally planning a holiday. So lets look at how you can stay fit whilst you are on …
Coached vs Self-Coached: Is there any real difference?
Today let’s examine whether you should get a coach or go it alone. OK, I am a coach, so I may not be 100% independent on this topic but actually …
Grunge Waxing: Why Quick Waxing Your Chain is Still Worth it
Most people say no to waxing, I say yes to the quick method….here is why David wrote to me asking “what is the best value per watt equipment change I …
Coach, is there a skinsuit specifically optimized for slow riders?
drag2zero and cycling weekly make some interesting claims….but is it true ( have they broken the laws of physics?) I recently came across a claim from drag2Zero a reputable …
The Ultimate Aero Helmet is your Bald Head! Who Knew!
Until someone invents a dynamic hi-tech solution, a bald head is the best combo of aero and cooling! Coached Athlete Rodrigo recently asked me “what is the best aero helmet …
Coach, How do I Correctly Pace into the Wind (“Wind Corrected Power”)
How do I pace correctly on a windy out and back (or loop) course? If it’s a tailwind on the way out, I tend to go out too hard and blow up in the headwind on the way back. Is there a correct way to pace a race like this?
How precise is my FTP?
Trouble pinning down your FTP?….this could be why Over on the intervals.icu forum (https://forum.intervals.icu/t/inaccurate-power-meter-or-anaerobic-contribution/1062) Benjamin_Turner asks: “I was l aid off at the start of the pandemic so I’ve had …
Can you cycle AND run (brilliantly)? …on the Science of cross-training
Ask any triathlete and they will tell you…….yes and…..no A regular coached cyclist, with cycling goals…..asked me how much will running harm his cycling (if at all) and can both …
Coach, is Exercise Safe with Coronavirus?
I was asked recently by a coached rider “should i reduce the amount of high intensity intervals at zone5,z6,z7 due to the possibility of immunosuppression, after all we are all …
The Magic of Interval Training (HIT or HIIT)
Just how good is high Intensity interval training compared to other types of exercise? Name a fitness trend. Chances are you will mention HIIT training. High intensity interval training (HIIT) …
Sweetspot or Sourspot?
Is sweetspot really the best training method for 99%? Sometimes you can be wrong without even knowing it. You might believe in something 100% and your friends might believe it …
Is FTP physiologically real…or does it exist only in Coggan’s imagination? (updated 2022)
Background Everyone has an opinion on FTP, their own FTP, your FTP, my FTP, their dog’s FTP. There is no denying that FTP has been a success in the sense …
Coach how do I rate as a cyclist from 0–100?!
Have you heard of the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Basically when you have little knowledge you can overestimate your ability but the more you find out the more you realize you don’t know that …
Coach, how much better are Pros and regular guys like me?
Greg Lemond …. Tour Winner 1986, 1989, 1990 I was wondering recently whether Greg Lemond’s famous quote is really true……do pros struggle as much as beginners? Obviously with decades …
Coach, is 1 hour on the indoor turbo worth 2 hrs outdoors?
Today let’s dig into the major differences of riding indoors vs outdoors Following a recent video one of our viewers Curtis M wrote: “Is there any difference in benefit between …