Fitness tests and Erg mode

fitness-tests-and-erg-mode

Hey Prof,

Couple of questions for you.

After the initial fitness testing should we be conducting these every few months or does the app automatically pickup improvements in fitness to adjust training zones?

Also when on the indoor trainer, would you say erg mode is the best option so you stay within your prescribed zones/power or would you recommend free riding so you can adjust your output depending on how you feel during that session?

Loving the app, and seeing some good results looking forward to race season!
cheers

Hello GrantNZ,

Great to hear that you're enjoying the Athletica app and seeing positive results!

In terms of fitness testing, it's generally beneficial to conduct these tests periodically. This allows you to track your progress, identify areas of improvement, and adjust your training plan accordingly. The frequency of these tests can be tailored to your individual fitness level, goals, and response to training, but every time you start out working towards a new goal (new A race) then you have that opportunity to test and re-calibrate your zones. Typically and practically that might be only 2 or 3 times in a year.

As for the app's ability to detect improvements in fitness and adjust training zones, the Athletica app is designed with a strong emphasis on monitoring and adjusting to an athlete's training status. The app makes necessary adjustments to your training zones whenever it notices that your performance has increased.

Regarding your question about indoor trainer sessions, both erg mode and free riding have their benefits and can be used effectively depending on your training goals and how you feel during a particular session. Erg mode can be particularly useful for maintaining consistency within your prescribed zones/power, while free riding allows for more flexibility and can be adjusted based on how you're feeling on any given day. My personal preference is free riding because it takes into account the days you feel good and the days you feel bad - you brain then can self-regulate the intensity.

I'm thrilled to hear about your progress and I'm confident that you'll continue to see improvements as you keep using the Athletica app. Best of luck with your race season!

Best,
Prof Laursen

1 Like

Thanks Prof,

Appreciate your time to provide comprehensive answers on this forum, definitely adds additional value to the Athletica platform,

Cheers

Grant