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With out WKO

cgres123cgres123
in General Training Discussions

So I started  my OS, on my own, and recently joined EN. Since I'm not up to speed with WKO I have been using Power Agent (PA) for recording my bike training.

PA calls for a test of 4 min all out and then 30 min all out. I download this info plug the numbers in and it gives me my zones.

Are there any issues with this that I don't know of ?

I also do my own math to get my NP because I'm training on a drainer right now I don't see wind, hills, or any related issues that would affect my NP. Is this correct ?

I'm new to this so looking for some input here.

Comments

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Use our tests, prescribed in your training plan, to determine FTP. Maybe someone else can give you more insights on how to use PowerAgent to determine your FTP from these tests.

     

  • HayesSanbornHayesSanborn

    David,

    There is a new version of poweragent that has an FTP field to be entered, you don't need to do 4' and 30' tests....I think it might even have NP now too. Haven't checked.

     

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Yep, Power Agent both  Mac and PC versions automatically calculate NP, shown under "Power Details" in the "Details" section of an activity. NP of course is a raw number, independent of one's FTP. You can select specific time periods of a workout to get the NP of an interval. A minute seems to be the shortest interval within which PA will calculate NP - better than WKO+'s 5 minute minimum.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Yup. You want version 7.5 (free download). You can select any arbitrary interval (over some minimum length of time as Al mentions) and get NP/TSS/whatever, pretty much identical to WKO.

    You may want to look into Golden Cheetah as well. You can't use it to get the "official" NP/TSS (it uses slightly different metrics), but it does pretty much anything else WKO does for the bike. (Like PA, it doesn't know that people ever run.)
  • gonnzogonnzo
    I've been using PowerAgent too and seem to be getting along OK so far. As Coach Rich said, I did the tests as described here in the OS (2x20' (2'))and used the PowerAgent PNorm to determine FTP.

    The one thing I haven't found yet is a VI stat (variability index?). Does anyone know if it's in there somewhere?
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    Posted By Brian Remer on 24 Feb 2011 10:46 PM

    I've been using PowerAgent too and seem to be getting along OK so far. As Coach Rich said, I did the tests as described here in the OS (2x20' (2'))and used the PowerAgent PNorm to determine FTP.



    The one thing I haven't found yet is a VI stat (variability index?). Does anyone know if it's in there somewhere?



    You can calculate it yourself.  PNorm/Avg Power.  Pretty easy!

     

    tom

  • cgres123cgres123
    Awesome stuff team !

    Thx, D
  • cgres123cgres123
    @ Al , I just went and checked my PA I do have 7.5. I did not know that function, NP, was even in PA , great thx.

    @ Brian or anyone, to correctly do my OS test , 2 x 20 etc... as coach Rich said to, how do I do that using PA ? Under users , I click on my name and then click on Power zones. the info PA wants to generate my zones is a 4 min test and a 30 min test. So how would I get my zones other wise testing the EN way?
  • gilliattgilliatt
    upgrade to the lastest version enter your FTP in the part where it says FTP. Don't worry about the 30 and 4 minute deal. Just make sure you have the absolute latest version of power agent installed.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Make sure you have the most recent version. If you do, then you can ignore those boxes and just type in the FTP you want. To measure the FTP from the data, just look at the whole ride and select the 42 minute interval by click and drag. Then look at the statistics windows and it will be for that section of your ride.

    Good luck
  • Chris M.Chris M.
    Posted By David McLaughlin on 25 Feb 2011 09:43 AM

    @ Al , I just went and checked my PA I do have 7.5. I did not know that function, NP, was even in PA , great thx.



    @ Brian or anyone, to correctly do my OS test , 2 x 20 etc... as coach Rich said to, how do I do that using PA ? Under users , I click on my name and then click on Power zones. the info PA wants to generate my zones is a 4 min test and a 30 min test. So how would I get my zones other wise testing the EN way?



    If you select the entire 42' EN test interval, it will then appear as one large interval.  Then click on "power detail" and you'll see normalized power.  You can also save the test interval and give it a name which makes it easy to go back and look at later.

  • cgres123cgres123
    So now I have a lot of great information to check out my rides, thx all.

    I'm not clear on how to determine my FTP from a test . Is there a formula for this or does PA determine it for you ?
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
    @David, to calculate FTP from a test, highlight the 42 minutes of the test on the chart and the NP number for that duration is now your new FTP.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Posted By David McLaughlin on 26 Feb 2011 09:16 AM

    I'm not clear on how to determine my FTP from a test . Is there a formula for this or does PA determine it for you ?

     

    Here's a wiki entry

    which outlines various ways to determine one's FTP.

  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    David, you should consider picking up the power webinar. There is a team discount, and it covers all the stuff you're asking and more. It's the right way to get started with power.
  • cgres123cgres123
    @ Al and AL and Mike, Good stuff ya'll got it ! The power webinar is on my list . So now I have numbers and know what they mean and If I don't know I know where to find the information. I guess the webinar will tell me what to do with my numbers in raceing.
    Thx.
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