Why Train with a Power Meter?

The democratization of the power meter has truly changed the way cyclists train. Like most new technology, when power meters were first introduced, they were simply impractical for the mainstream. Many strides have been made since the first power measurement devices were introduced, and now it is possible to have power measurement capabilities for a fairly reasonable cost.

 

Before power meters, the most effective measurement was the heart rate monitor. However, heart rate is highly variable, depending on many conditions - hydration, level of fatigue, and temperature to name a few. Heart rate also has a latency factor which is particularly problematic with short, hard efforts.

 

However, this does not mean heart rate isn't still very useful. In fact, coupled with power data, it is probably the most powerful 1-2 punch in quantifying training and racing performance. For example, an improvement in the ability to produce watts at a given heart rate is a clear sign of an increase in fitness. With either measurement alone, conclusions may not be as easily drawn.

 

So what is the advantage of training with a power meter versus more traditional methods? At its core, a power meter is the most objective way to quantify your training and racing load. Much like the time trial is called the race of truth, the power meter gives us wattage, which is the measurement of truth. There is no perceived exertion to hide behind, or an inflated heart rate to give the a the false impression of a hard effort. The power is either going to the wheels, or it is not. The benefit to the athlete and coach alike is very clear - objective data that over time provides a very clear picture of an athlete's improvement, as well as a measuring stick against other athletes performances as a basis for comparison.

 

Oracle Cycling strongly encourages its athletes to use a power meter. One of the reasons we recommend hiring a coach in the first place is to maximize training efficiency. This can best be accomplished through collecting data about performance and training from as many possible sources, including feedback directly from the athlete as well as power and heart rate data. While it's important to train and race hard, it's equally important to be smart about it. If you are looking for a coach, please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have, or to get a free consultation on how we can help take your performance to the next level.