Training Dictionary
Your guide to cycling training terms, concepts, and methods. Learn about training fundamentals, performance metrics, and everything you need to train smarter.
Training Fundamentals
Core concepts every cyclist should know
- Altitude acclimatization: When should you head up high prior to a race?
- Tapering for goal events: What is a taper and how should you execute it?
- Zone 2 Training: What is Zone 2 training and why is it important for endurance athletes?
Performance Metrics
Understanding power, heart rate, and other key metrics
- Energy Systems: Aerobic & Anaerobic: Understand the systems, how your body creates power, and how each system influences training and performance.
- FTP (Functional Threshold Power): Understanding Functional Threshold Power and how to use it in training.
- HRV (Heart Rate Variability): Learn what it is, why it matters for training and recovery, and how cyclists can use it to optimize performance.
- Lactate Thresholds (LT1 & LT2): A complete guide to LT1 and LT2, what they mean, how they influence performance, and how to train each threshold effectively.
- Max Heart Rate (HRmax): Understand Max Heart Rate, how to estimate it, how it influences training zones, and how to use it effectively in endurance training.
- Power Zones: Understanding Power Zones and how to use them in training
- Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE): How it works, and how cyclists can use it alongside or instead of power for smarter training.
- VO₂ Max: Why it matters for endurance performance, and how to train VO₂ effectively.
Training Methods
Different types of workouts and training approaches
- Periodization: How periodization structures your training year into phases that build fitness, reduce fatigue, and peak performance at the right time.
- Sweet Spot Training: What it is, why it works, and how to use Sweet Spot effectively to build strong, durable cycling fitness.
- Tempo Training: What it is, how it improves muscular endurance, and why it's a key intensity for building durable cycling fitness.
Nutrition
Fueling for training and racing
- Carbohydrates: How to train and race with carbs
- Gut Training: Everything you want to know about how to train your gut to handle fueling.
Equipment
Gear and technology for cyclists
- Bike Computer: What a bike computer is and why cyclists rely on it.
- Power Meter: A complete overview of power meters, how they work, and why they’re the gold standard for measuring cycling performance.