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How do I improve FTP?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 11, 2026

5 tips for improving your FTP from the experts

  1. Stay consistent and establish a training routine. Stick hard to your training plan. ...
  2. Train hard, but smart. Interval training can help, but only when used wisely. ...
  3. Rest is just as important as training. ...
  4. Go long. ...
  5. Mix it up.

How can I improve my FTP fast?

How to Increase FTP

  1. Increase the duration of your weekend group rides. You need to go over 4 hours to really stress your cardiovascular and muscular system. ...
  2. During the week you should do 3 days of solid FTP intervals (91-105% of your FTP). ...
  3. Try to be rested between sessions in order to maximize the benefits of FTP work.

What is a good FTP for an average cyclist?

The article claims that a typical fit cyclist might be able to crank out 250 to 300 watts as an average for a 20 minute FTP (functional threshold point) test, while the pros usually average 400 watts.

How do I get the best FTP?

Perhaps the best-known FTP testing method is a 20-minute time trial. In this format, you ride as hard as you steadily can for 20 minutes; 95% of your average power during this interval is used as your FTP.

What is a good 20 minute FTP?

The 95 per cent is a number based off averages, but for many amateurs, the power drop-off between 20 and 60 minutes can be much greater than five per cent, so those athletes might be better off using 92 or even 90 per cent.

35 related questions found

How often should I do FTP test?

Now to get to the big question: how often should you take an FTP test? We recommend every four to six weeks depending on the training plan you're undertaking. This usually allows your body enough time to adapt to your training and make measurable improvements.

What is a good FTP female?

FTP in watts for females

46% of people have an FTP below 200W. 44% of people have an FTP of 210W or more. 10% of people have an FTP between 200W and 210W.

How long does it take to improve your FTP?

With a ramp rate average of 5 points per week and a starting CTL of 50-70 (common after a period of rest during the offseason), that leaves us with about 8 weeks of solid training to see any significant improvement in FTP. In many cases, I recommend adding 2-3 recovery weeks spaced throughout this time.

Can strength training improve FTP?

IMPROVE CYCLING ECONOMY/TIME TO EXHAUSTION

Cycling economy and Time to Exhaustion are the two primary reasons weight lifting helps make cyclists faster without actually improving FTP or VO2 max. The Neuromuscular strain you can dose by lifting at your MAX WEIGHT can only happen in the weight room.

Do long rides increase FTP?

Endurance rides help to increase your aerobic ability, which helps to bolster your FTP and also increases your stamina, which is the ability to maintain as close to your FTP power for as long as possible.

Is 200 watts good cycling?

No exact watt number is appropriate for all riders. Generally speaking, a beginner cyclist may average around 75–100 watts in a 1-hour workout. A fit participant will average more than 100 watts, and pro cyclists can reach 400 watts per hour.

What is Matt Wilpers FTP?

“FTP” stands for “Functional Threshold Power” and is typically described as the power or output one could sustain for around one hour.

How do I get FTP for cycling?

Cycling. Functional Threshold Power (FTP): You can estimate FTP with your best recent 20-minute power value (either from a dedicated 20-minute test or a sufficiently hard 20-minute effort from a race or workout). Multiply that value by 95% to get your FTP.

Does polarized training increase FTP?

I'm okay with that amount, because it's a lot, but you can boost your VO2Max ceiling by raising your FTP; you can raise your FTP by riding at Sweet Spot and 100-105% of your current FTP; but polarized training does not have a way to utilize these FTP boosting properties (and indirectly, pushing out your VO2Max).

How do you increase vo2 max?

How can you increase your VO₂ max?

  1. Perform high-intensity interval training. This consists of doing several minutes of intense aerobic exercises, like cycling on a stationary bike, reducing the intensity for a few minutes, and increasing the intensity again.
  2. Switch up aerobic activities in a single workout.

Why is my FTP going down?

Why FTP Might Decline. Quite simply, a decrease in your FTP is a reflection that your body is not able to perform as effectively as it was previously. This can reflect short-term trends in your condition, or be an indication of something more significant.

Do squats help with cycling?

Doing squats is beneficial for cyclists because it helps to keep the hamstrings balanced by working them in a different way to the pedalling action. As a cyclist, you should aim to squat down fairly low, so that your thighs are roughly parallel with the ground – an angle your legs will be used to through pedalling.

What is Bradley Wiggins FTP?

The highest FTP in the world of cycling is recorded in the history by the British cyclist Bradley Wiggins. He was estimated to have produced an average of 440 watts in 2015 when he pedalled about 34 miles, setting the men's record.

How do I increase my FTP in Zwift?

If you know you want to adjust your FTP before you begin a workout, you can change your FTP in-game, by completing these steps:

  1. After you've paired your devices, select TRAINING.
  2. Select your next workout from the WORKOUTS tab.
  3. Select the FTP box in the bottom right corner and manually adjust your FTP.

How do you double FTP?

This is usually done by increasing volume or intensity or both. Usually in a training block you want your training stress to be increased throughout the block. For example during one month you might do 8 hours in the first week, ten hours in the second week and 12 hours in the third week.

How much does FTP fluctuate?

Normal Daily Fluctuation

Your FTP just like your body weight actually varies every day, every week, every month according to multiple internal and external factors. It is not unusual for body weight to fluctuate as much as 2–3% per day!

What is peloton FTP?

Your FTP, or Functional Threshold Power, is the highest power a rider can maintain for one hour on the Bike. With Peloton, you'll identify your FTP via your average output over a 20-minute maximum effort test.

Are ramp tests accurate FTP?

Even though the intensity of the effort required during the final steps of a Ramp Test is well above the intensity required during a longer, lower-intensity effort, the information gleaned from the ramp protocol is more accurate than an FTP estimate based on a poorly paced 8- or 20-minute test.