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Power Testing Lab recommendations?

  • 19-05-2014 08:59AM
    #1
    kildare snooker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57 ✭✭


    Hi,
    I'm new to using power and also cycling in general,I'm looking to try get myself tested for power zones and FTP etc and was wondering if any boar dies could recommend somewhere that does this kind of work,I'm only a very very average cyclist but i enjoy it and want to maximise my training and weight loss so would not mind investing in getting this done.

    So any recommendations and advice or tips on what it entails and costs would be hugely appreciated.thank you.


Comments

  • #2
    tunney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,584 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    Do you have a power meter?


  • #3
    kildare snooker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57 ✭✭kildare snooker


    i have a stages power meter and or have a tacx tablet edition turbo trainer which does power and stuff too


  • #4
    tunney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,584 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    Why do you need a lab? Unless you are interested in gas analysis?


  • #5
    kildare snooker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57 ✭✭kildare snooker


    to tell me what I'm doing and explain how to train with the results giving?


  • #6
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,260 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    kildare snooker wrote: »
    to tell me what I'm doing and explain how to train with the results giving?

    buy a book and educate yourself first


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  • #7
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,247 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    There are a couple of labs (e.g. at Trinity) doing reasonably-priced tests and give advice that is useful for tweaking a training plan, but I suggest you first establish a normal (simple!) training routine comprising different sorts of efforts: long & slow, timed long intervals (e.g. 3x20min) and short intervals (e.g. 5x5min) with a few minutes rest period between intervals.

    Limit the intervals sessions to a couple of times a week, rest well and aim for consistency over the course of a few months.

    Training and Racing with a Powermeter is a good book but quite complicated. It could probably be summarised in a few pages.


  • #8
    clog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,100 ✭✭✭clog


    This book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Training-Racing-Power-Meter-2nd-ebook/dp/B007WZ55XI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400492879&sr=1-1&keywords=training+and+racing+with+a+power+meter

    This one is probably easier to understand and a bit less technicalhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Power-Meter-Handbook-Triathletes-ebook/dp/B009HQ0TKO/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=05NT2X7FKAGSQBTQVVB1


  • #9
    nak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,538 ✭✭✭nak


    Get a coach?


  • #10
    kildare snooker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57 ✭✭kildare snooker


    any recommendations for a cycle coach? i tried books before but to be honest i don't understand the terminology all the time and hence why i thought bout getting a test done somewhere so is that they can explain to me


  • #11
    ford2600
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭ford2600


    By all means, use a lab and get tested if you wish.

    If your new to cycling, join a club which can help with your cycling goals. There is a wealth of experience waiting to be tapped in most clubs.

    If you are new, I'd be inclined to pick the lowest hanging fruit first.

    I know two lads, who first took up cycling at 30plus, went from A4 to A1 in two seasons. Neither used power meters and still don't. In their case in might be of benefit now in squeezing out more performance.

    They got there by joining club, training hard, signing up with coach in club.

    Good luck either way


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  • #12
    pauliemck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭pauliemck


    I would recommend the lab in Trinity. I got a free test there as a fellow boardsie was looking for volunteers for a physiotherapy masters. I think it costs e50 for the test, but that was 2(ish) years ago, so it might have changed. If you've forked out for a power meter, it's not that much extra.

    The test involves cycling at 30 W increments for 3 mins each, until failure (not fun, I tell you). VO2, blood lactate and heart rate are measured during each increment. In conjunction with a physical (body fat measurement, blood test, lung capacity etc), a training plan and specific goals are given to you. The most important thing is the training zones that are supplied - tbh, I'm not great at following a training plan.

    Unfortunately I don't have a power meter, but I use heart rate data instead; it's not as accurate because there's a bit of a lag when you increase the effort but it works well enough for me.

    I found it very interesting seeing the graph of how my blood lactate varied with power. I was surprised at how good the test was and considering the amount of money us cyclists spend on gear, it's not too expensive.

    Let us know how you get on if you decide to go for it.


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