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Cycling FTP Power Zones Calculator

**FTP — Functional Threshold Power** is the cornerstone of power-based cycling training: the highest power you can sustain for ~1 hour (typically estimated from 20-minute max average × 0.95). Hunter Allen, Andrew Coggan and Stephen McGregor — *Training and Racing with a Power Meter* (3rd ed., 2019) — define the **7-zone model**, mapping % of FTP to specific physiological adaptations: Z1 Active Recovery, Z2 Endurance (peak fat oxidation), Z3 Tempo (sweet-spot edge), Z4 Lactate Threshold, Z5 VO₂max, Z6 Anaerobic Capacity, Z7 Neuromuscular Power. Enter your FTP and the tool lists the watt range for all seven zones; enter a current wattage and the matching zone is highlighted — useful for Zwift, indoor trainers, TrainerRoad, and Garmin / Wahoo head units.

Coggan 7-zone power (based on % of FTP)

Zone Name % FTP Watt range

Formula

Z1 Active Recovery < 55 % FTP Z2 Endurance 55–75 % FTP Z3 Tempo 75–90 % FTP Z4 Lactate Threshold 90–105 % FTP ← FTP itself sits at the centre of Z4 Z5 VO₂max 105–120 % FTP Z6 Anaerobic Capacity 120–150 % FTP Z7 Neuromuscular Power ≥ 150 % FTP (short bursts < 30 s) zone_watts = zone_percent × FTP Example: FTP = 250 W → Z4 = 0.90 × 250 to 1.05 × 250 = 225–263 W

Frequently asked

I don't have a power meter — can I use heart-rate zones instead?

**Yes, with caveats**. Heart-rate zones (usually based on LTHR — lactate-threshold heart rate) are an approximation of power zones, but the HR-power relationship differs by individual. **Quick mapping**: Z2 power ≈ HR Z2 (aerobic / fat burn); Z3 power ≈ HR Z3 (tempo); Z4 power ≈ HR Z4 (threshold). **Key caveats**: (1) **HR lag**: heart rate reaches steady state 30–60 s after the power surge, so short hard intervals (Z5, Z6, Z7) can't be controlled by HR — you need power. (2) **Cardiac drift**: over a long ride HR rises 10–15 bpm in the last 30 minutes even at the same power, because of dehydration and heat. (3) **Inter-individual variation**: two riders with the same FTP can have LTHRs that differ by 10–15 bpm. **Recommendation**: (a) for structured training prioritise a power meter (cheapest Stages, 4iiii crank-arm ~USD 300–400); (b) on a budget use a smart trainer (Wahoo Kickr / Tacx Neo / Elite Direto, ~USD 400–800) — best value indoors. HR is still useful for systemic stress monitoring (HRV, recovery HR), but structured intervals really benefit from a power meter.

Sweet spot vs threshold workouts — which is better for raising FTP?

**Short-term: threshold is more direct. Long-term: sweet spot is more sustainable**. **Threshold workouts** (Z4, 95–105 % FTP) directly stimulate lactate clearance and increase muscle buffering capacity. But Z4 fatigue is high — you can't do more than 2 sessions per week (40–60 min total) without deep fatigue. **Sweet spot** (upper Z3, 88–94 % FTP) gives ~80–90 % of threshold's adaptation at ~70 % of its fatigue cost — so 3–4 sessions of 30–60 min per week, accumulating much more weekly training stress. Coggan himself argues in the 3rd edition for sweet spot as the highest "training density × adaptation" ratio. **Build phase / off-season**: sweet spot for 8–12 weeks to build base; **race-specific phase** (4–8 weeks before): switch to threshold + VO₂max. **Typical week**: Mon rest, Tue sweet-spot 2 × 20 min, Wed Z2 endurance 90 min, Thu VO₂max 5 × 5 min, Fri rest/Z1, Sat long Z2 3 hr, Sun race/hard group ride. **Adjust** with HRV, sleep, and diet quality as guides.

How should older (50+) cyclists adjust their FTP and training zones?

**Physiological shifts**: after age 50, VO₂max drops 5–10 % per decade (well-trained athletes can hold it to 2–3 %), max HR drops ~1 bpm/year, muscle mass declines ~1 %/year (without training), and recovery time lengthens. **Adjustments**: (1) **Zone percentages of FTP don't change** (the Coggan model is age-agnostic), but **absolute FTP** naturally drifts down. (2) **Longer rest days**: a 30-year-old recovers in 1 day; a 60-year-old needs 2 — workout density can't match a younger self. (3) **Fewer VO₂max sessions**: Z5 once a week (vs twice in younger years); Z6/Z7 maximum once weekly. (4) **More Z2 endurance + strength training**: type-II fibres are lost faster after 60, so strength work (2x/week squat / deadlift / lunges) helps both cycling power and bone density. (5) **HRV monitoring becomes more sensitive**: autonomic reactivation slows with age, so a flat HRV means systemic stress and an immediate deload. (6) **Heat adaptation**: older athletes sweat later and tolerate heat less — indoor sessions need a strong fan or air-con. **Mentally**: don't compare to your younger FTP. Use W/kg and age-graded scoring (USA Cycling Masters categories) for motivation. Chris Horner won the Vuelta at 41; amateurs in their 50s can still meaningfully improve.

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