Cycling Science

“Train in the right zones” is advice you’ll hear constantly in cycling. But what does it actually mean? What are the zones, what does each one do, and why does it matter whether you’re at 240W or 260W? This post breaks down all seven power zones, explains the physiology behind each, and covers how PeakPulse uses them in real-time coaching. Where the Zones Come From The seven-zone model was popularised by Dr. Andrew Coggan, one of the pioneers of power-based training. All zones are defined as percentages of FTP — your Functional Threshold Power — which means they’re automatically calibrated to your individual fitness level. ...

If you’ve spent any time in the world of cycling training, you’ve encountered FTP. It gets thrown around a lot — often without much explanation of what it actually is or why it matters so much. This post breaks it down clearly: what FTP is, how to measure it, and how PeakPulse uses it to calibrate your entire training framework. What FTP Actually Means FTP stands for Functional Threshold Power. It’s the highest average power output you can sustain for approximately one hour. ...