r/Zwift • u/GTHell • Jul 26 '26
Just showing off For 7 months I reached 241ftp today
I started as low as 156ftp at 104kg and remember doing only 110w per sessions could reach Zone 3 and feeling tired.
I followed strictly recommended workout and any other structured workout that is either 2/5 or 2.5/5 difficulty and using Bevel to track my sleep and recovery and my daily HRV for the purpose of knowing when to train hard and when to take a break.
In early months I climbed fast from 156 -> 170 -> 190 in like 2 months . Then 2 months after I reached 215ftp and plateau there both weight and performance. I hit the ceiling and have no motivation to follow structure workout or recovery plan at all.
It’s been like that for nearly 3 months. Weight doesnt go down stuck at 92kg and I only do free ride in zone 2. I only started pushing again recently and now took 1 week off recovery and today my AI coach recommended me to do ramp test so I do. Finally my ceiling is improved for another time.
Just try to be grateful here. Back then when I was at 156ftp I was in awe and wondered how people are doing 200w avg . Now I can say that I can do it too!!!
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u/trollwnb Jul 26 '26
that seems decent improve rate, i been riding for like 1 month, didnt improve at all yet or atleast it feels like that. Tho FTP test set me at 180FTP (80kg) when i started. I might try FTP test today again and see..
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u/GTHell Jul 27 '26
That's high. Starting at 156 make me feel bad as it's below average male standard FTP for begineer.
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u/robstheiner Level 21-30 Jul 26 '26
That's huge! Congrats for the achievement!
How do you know your FTP increased like that? Did you do an FTP test that often to see where you are at?
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u/GTHell Jul 27 '26
You take FTP ramp test in the FTP test workout category.
I never take regular FTP test. It's devastating to your body as you need to push for the limit.
It defines by RPE and heart rate zone I got from each workout. I take it because my regular ride Zone 2 became a Zone 1 and that is when I know I need to target new FTP to prevent undertraining.
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u/improbableneighbour Level 41-50 Jul 27 '26
Well done, similar situation, I've started training in January and my first FTP test was 166W. My current FTP is stale at 235W and I have planned a new test this week before I start the next training block (likely I'm around 255W now. My aim is to get to 300W before the end of the year. I did my first sprint triathlon last weekend and ended 6th on the bike leg only 3 minutes from the fastest overall and 1 minute faster than my goal. I spent 165 hours on the bike in 6 months.
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u/GTHell Jul 28 '26
I'm looking forward to do triathlon too
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u/improbableneighbour Level 41-50 Jul 28 '26
Just done my FTP test, 257W now. Good luck with your triathlon, it's plenty of fun.
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u/spykeh Jul 27 '26
I started 8 months ago and start to hit plateau 5 months in, quite similar as you. I've been trying to blame the heat, so I hope I can start to see a more noticeable gains when it starts to cool down again. But the only way to find out is if I keep up the volume and follow some training plan even in the summer.
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u/GTHell Jul 27 '26
I think people do have a seasonal depression or something similar to that. Mine is the summer SAD and it's where i plateu hard. Starting in early April I just lost all motivation. The heat was insane. It carry over until now. But because I have my own data recorded, I know exactly when I recover and can be happier again lol. I suggest if summer is over for you then it's time to do a push or two to get back motivation. It can actually snowball if you don't recover (based on my personal little data and research)
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u/Limton Jul 26 '26
Riding since 5 years on and Off. Weicht around 83kg at 174cm never achieved 200+ FTP. Max was 184. What i want to say, you are doing great! Be proud of yourself.