What is a good watts per kg for cycling?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 20, 2026
Generally, untrained riders have an FTP below 2.0 W/kg for men and 1.5 W/kg for women, while professional racers may be capable of sustaining more than 6.0 W/kg for men and 5.5 for women.
What is a good cycling power to weight ratio?
PWRs for high-level age-group competitors are likely to be 4.0-4.75 W/kg). Naturally, elite amateurs and professional cyclists have the highest power-to-weight ratios (5.0-6.0+ W/kg).
What is a good maximum wattage for cycling?
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.
Is 4 watts per kg good?
And so is 4W/kg if you consider that 6W/kg on the major climbs of grand tours is about the benchmark for being in the first half of the field. However, 4W/kg is still better than most club level cyclists, and is literally lapping everyone on the couch. So it's a great goal to target.
What's a good watts per kg?
Power-to-weight ratios vary across a wide spectrum. Generally, untrained riders have an FTP below 2.0 W/kg for men and 1.5 W/kg for women, while professional racers may be capable of sustaining more than 6.0 W/kg for men and 5.5 for women.
39 related questions foundIs 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 my watts per kg?
Simply put, your watts per kilo (w/kg) is your power to weight ratio. Watts per Kilo is your max power output, in watts, divided by your weight in kilos. For example, someone with a weight or mass of 80kg with a sustainable power output of 280 watts will have a power to weight ratio of 3.5 watts per kilo (3.5W/kg).
What is the average wattage of a Tour de France rider?
Using all that, I estimate that a typical Tour de France winner needs to put out an average of about 325 watts over the roughly 80 hours of the race. Recall that most recreational cyclists would be happy if they could produce 300 watts for just 20 minutes!
How can I increase watts per kg?
There are only three ways in which you can affect some change in your W/kg. They are as follows: Increase your power output while keeping your weight constant. Keep your power output constant while decreasing your weight.
What does watts per kilogram mean?
Watts per kilogram, or w/kg, is a basic power- to-weight ratio measurement. This data point reflects how many watts can you hold for a certain period of time, divided by your weight in kilograms - and can help you to compare your fitness level with others.
How do I increase my cycling wattage?
Developing your cycling power requires a lot of hard work, but here are five simple ways to do it:
- Ride in Bigger Gears for Higher Power Output. ...
- Ride Uphill to Increase Muscular Endurance. ...
- Ride Into Headwinds. ...
- Use Block Training to Boost Cycling Power. ...
- Follow the 75% Rule.
What is a strong FTP?
FTP in watts for males
49% of people have an FTP below 260W. 44.3% of people have an FTP of 270W or more. 6.7% of people have an FTP between 260W and 270W.
How many watts is Peter Sagan?
The data confirmed what Vila said. Sagan, during an 18-second period of the Tour of Suisse's stage 5, produced an average of 1,220 watts. Over that time, he reached 76.2 kilometers an hour and peaked at 1,417 watts — enough to power a small space heater or an espresso machine.
What are watts in cycling?
Power, which is measured in watts (W), represents energy output over time. When you're cycling, the energy you output from your body is what propels the bike forwards. At any given point on your ride your power number (e.g. 250W) is snapshot of the work that you're putting in on the bike at that very moment.
What is W kg on Zwift?
In Zwift, it's fitness that determines your race category, not points accumulated through your results in previous races. Each category in Zwift is determined by your watts per kilogram (w/kg) at Functional Threshold Power (FTP), so the higher the category, the stronger riders in that race will be.
Is Strava watts accurate?
According to Strava's algorithms I averaged 343 watts for this three hour ride. From many years worth of rides in the legs, I can confirm that Strava's estimated power data ranges from “somewhat accurate” to “wildly ridiculous” (and everything in between).
Why am I not getting faster at cycling?
You're not eating enough carbohydrate
To achieve maximal performance during periods of higher training volumes, particularly with higher volume-of-intensity, you need more carbohydrate than you did during periods of more generalized, moderate-intensity training.
How do I strengthen my legs for cycling?
How to get stronger legs for cycling
- Squat jumps. Squat jumps are one of the best ways to boost your explosive power. ...
- Lunges. Lunges are an excellent all-round exercise for improving leg strength. ...
- One-legged pedalling. One-legged pedalling can strengthen your hip flexors. ...
- Calf raises.
Does watts per kilo matter?
Watts per kilogram is an important measurement in determining your cycling potential. On the surface, it's a simple measurement, but it can give a ton of information about your performance and strengths.
How many watts does a pro cyclist produce?
An average pro in the Tour peloton will produce about 6.15 W/kg under the same conditions. Assuming a weight of 70 kg (a bit more than 154 lbs.), the average rider will be able to maintain a power output of 163.8 watts for the 20 minute effort while the pro will maintain 429.8 watts.
Is 300 watts a good FTP?
If you can climb a ± 2 km hill at a rate that Strava tells you is equal to about 300 watts - then that is probably the best “test” that the FTP you are seeing on Zwift is reasonable, if not necessarily 100% accurate.
How many watts Lance Armstrong?
Mr. Armstrong, for example, can maintain a power output of about 6.8 watts per kilogram of body weight for 20 minutes. "I would say there are probably no more than 20 people on earth with that ability, and probably at least 10 of them rode or are riding in the Tour de France," Dr.
Is cycling better than squats?
You get better at the activity you're doing, so riding a bike is better training for cycling than squatting. Having said that, strength should be built in a sequence starting with weights, progressing through low-cadence/high-resistance hill climbing, and ending with conventional interval training at 90-110 rpm.