Podcast questions - what do you want to know?

Hi Andy,

Thanks for getting in touch! To answer your questions;

  1. Zwift workouts are all based off power as the input, so this is what we should be focusing on during the session. Produce the target power, at the specified cadence. Think of your heart rate as an output to the work you are doing. Your heart rate will respond tom the effort you are making and with that, the watts you are producing.
    There are so many factors that can influence your heart rate; fatigue, heat, dehydration, caffeine, etc…

Heart rate is a great measure for longer rides / efforts, where you can look at your power response in relation to a consistent heart rate - one to try out on

Can I suggest, during some of the interval workouts in the Dirt Destroyer training plan, track your heart rate through intervals. Can you repeat the effort (power) with the same stress response (heart rate)? You will likely reach a higher MHR during your final interval (for intense efforts) vs the first, as your body has to work harder to produce the same power. Track this MHR change over time - the smaller the change in MHR during intense efforts, generally means the fitter you are.

  1. The workouts should feel challenging - there should be some real leg burning towards the end of the strength endurance efforts, however your heart rate will be lower during the low cadence efforts. This is due to muscular stress vs aerobic. Your muscles are taking a kicking, relative to your cardiovascular system.

What I suggest, if you are really finishing the workouts not feeling that challenged - nudge the intensity up slightly, by using the + or up arrow in the Zwift Companion App, or in game. You can add up to 10% extra Watts - so will have a big impact!

Hope this helps - keep me posted with how you get on!

Matt