Training With Power-A Coach’s Perspective

Part 1- Power Measuring Guidelines
By
Jeb Stewart MS, CSCS, Expert Coach

Jeb Stewart is a USA Cycling Expert Level coach and has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. He is certified by the ACSM, the NSCA, the NASM and is the head assistant coach and co-owner of The Peaks Coaching Group. He has a long history of competing in a variety of sports at the national level and currently races on the road around the country annually. He specializes in coaching athletes of all walks of life using a holistic approach and is on the forefront of coaching cyclists with power. Jeb’s passion for helping people go to the next level in all of their endeavors has led him to become a presenter, writer, and consultant on anything related to training, performance, and wellness.

In the field of coaching for endurance cycling, we are constantly bombarded with “new and improved” ways of training and doing our job. Many of these go by the way of the fad, receiving little discussion and even less practical application. Some are driven by the need to sell something. However, every once in a while, a training method or new device comes along that ends up not only improving the way we do things, but even goes so far as to change the whole paradigm from which we operate. This was exactly what happened when heart rate monitors came out years ago.

At first, what appeared to be just another fad quickly became the new gold standard for training in aerobic sports, cycling included. What happened was that we grew as athletes and as coaches. We learned to incorporate this new method, not as an end in itself, but as a new and improved means to training ourselves and those whom we coached. As coaches and as humans, it could be said that an enlightened approach to anything is one that is subject to change, given better information. Anything short of this approach will keep us, and the athletes we work with in the dark ages.

Well, the same thing has occurred, in not so recent a time as many might perceive. But over the years, and at a more accelerated rate as of recent, the advent of the power meter and its application in training for endurance cycling has done just this. What may have seemed, and may still seem to some as a passing fad, has actually revolutionized the way we train on the bike. Whether or not you are in agreement with this proposition or not, this subject warrants discussion, especially from the perspective of how we will or will not incorporate it’s use to improve the training of the athletes we coach.

What is power?

For many, the initial question that needs to be answered is just this. What is power and what does a power meter measure? Power is defined as the result of the equation of strength (force, measured in torque) x speed (measured in pedal revolutions per minute) divided by time. In laymen’s terms, it means how hard you push on the pedals, times the rate at which you pedal, divided by the time it took for the effort. The product equals power, and this is measured in watts. This is the ultimate measure of work, and with the advent of the modern day power meter, this can be combined with additional feedback given to show the amount of work done in kilojoules (energy), the distance traveled in miles or kilometers, the duration of the ride measured in time, along with speed, cadence, heart rate and the minimum, maximum and average of all of these data points. This is the ultimate look into an athlete from the microcosmic perspective of a single workout or race, the meso-cyclic perspective of a training phase or month, or even from the larger macrocosmic view of a training cycle or calendar year. As Hunter Allen says, “Why go into a cave with a flashlight when you can go in with a miner’s light?” This is an interesting and extremely applicable analogy.

Wattage, Not Heart Rate

The fact that a power meter measures the actual work done by an individual, as measured in wattage produced over time, rather than the effect that the effort has on the cardiovascular system, gives a much better way to track and monitor work, gauge efforts during workouts, and more exactly prescribe our exercise prescriptions. Power meters track work and the effect it has on the body, thus making it a much more effective training tool.

How & what is Measured?

The measurement principle of most power measurement devices is fairly simple and warrants only minimal discussion here. Most power meters currently available measure force in torque and cadence in revolutions per minute divided by time in order to come up with a resulting wattage output. These devices accomplish this by tracking cadence, time and the force applied to the pedals via the measurement of torque using various means in the different areas of the power meter itself. Some do it in the bottom bracket using photo-interrupters, others in strain gauges in the hub of the rear wheel or in the spider of the crank-set. In all cases, this information is passed to the CPU to be calculated and stored for downloading.

In the Lab with Ergometers/On the Road with Power Meters

Other devices, such as the bicycle ergometer, have been in use for some time now. Most research that has been published using cycling in its various forms, have been performed using an exercise cycling ergometer in the laboratory setting. This has always been looked at as the gold standard of testing for cycling and is considered accurate, consistent, measurable and repeatable; the cornerstones of a good testing protocol. These same attributes were in mind when the indoor ergometer/training devices were designed such as the Velodyne and the Computrainer. These devices allow you to do the same specific, power based training and testing without having to use a lab and its expensive equipment. This is the same premise by which the power meter was created, thus allowing athletes to test and train using these same principles and more exact exercise prescription, but in a more sport specific setting.

Why Power?

Now that we have discussed what power is and what can be used to measure, test and train using power, the question that begs answering is, of course, “Why Training Using Power?” This is an abbreviated version on the topic. For more information see the “More Information Please!” section at the end of this article.

• Instantaneous Measurement of Exercise Output/Response

The first point in this discussion, and in the mind of the author, the most important and most validating reason for training with a power meter is the fact that it gives the user an instant measurement of the work they are performing. Unlike heart rate, there is not lag time in its response to the effort being produced. It actually measures the work being done, not the body’s physiological response to that workload. Hence, it gives us a way to immediately monitor the work being done and thus train at more precise workload when prescribing training at zones that cannot be tracked and monitored using HR, such as the short efforts required when training the anaerobic capacity and neuromuscular systems.

• Does Not Lie/You Either Have it or You Do Not

Secondly, and this can be viewed as both a pro and a con, is that power meters do not lie. They are annoyingly honest, and tell you immediately whether you’ve got it, or if you do not. This can be a joy and a heart break, and can present additional problems for the coach to deal with in regards to their athletes that will be discussed later. The good and the bad part is that you immediately know if you have what it takes to perform at a given workload on any given day. It is obvious to see the benefits of this information. The drawbacks will be discussed later in this paper.

• More Reliable than HR/May Have Good Power with Suppressed HR or Low Power with High HR/Tells the Truth

Additionally, power output is a more reliable measure of work than heart rate. Many factors outside of the condition of the athlete can play a part in affecting heart rate. Heat, humidity, insufficient sleep, stress, etc. can have an adverse effect on an individuals heart rate, thus giving the erroneous information by which to gauge the decision to continue to train or not. With a power meter, you see exactly what you have in your legs and your lungs for that day, regardless of extenuating circumstances. When you may feel “bad”, or when your heart rate may be suppressed or elevated slightly due to outside circumstances or conditions, your power meter can tell you what is really going on. It would be a shame to not workout for that day because of a slightly suppressed or elevated heart rate, when you are able to hold the prescribed power for that training session, especially when training for multi-day events. Once again, a power meter tells you when you have it and when you do not, and unlike heart rate, it never lies.

• Trackable (daily/weekly/monthly/annually)/Shows History of Workout/Race/Micro-cycle/Macro-cycle/Season

Another one of the most valuable features of using a power meter is the tracking feature. By saving data on a daily basis, you are able to build a nice history on your athletes, thus giving you an amazing record of their season. This can show you how they responded to your training recommendations and how their fitness ebbed and flowed throughout the year. You can look at the smaller picture, observing how they responded to a certain workout or training phase (micro-cycle) or from the larger perspective when looking at a meso or macro-cycle. This is an invaluable tool when it comes time to set up subsequent training programs.

Power Pros

No discussion would be complete without a brief overview of the pros and cons. This article is no exception. Power is full of both, and as coaches, we often find ourselves in the position of being asked to recommend whether or not to purchase a power meter or better yet, which one to buy. This simple fact that power meters are not perfect devices as of yet, and do still posses advantages and disadvantages, gives us the perfect opportunity as coaches to stay neutral on these subjects and recommend that the athlete match the things that “they can live without” with the cons, and the things that they “have to have” with its pros. The pros of power meters are many, and they are very simple. These are based on the needs a coach or athlete would have in their training and relate to the reasons why power is even a suggested training mode.

Accuracy

The first of these is the fact that power measurement is an accurate measure of training workload. As coaches, we want to see both the subjective and objective results of the training we prescribe. There is no better way to tack the objective data than by using a power meter.

Tracking

The second positive aspect is the ability to track the data provided by your athletes which power meters give you. Being able to create and maintain an historical library of sorts when it comes to the training your athletes have done and the effect it had on them physiologically in invaluable.

Honest

The honesty a power meter provides is another key element in its use. An athlete’s subjective recall of their training session, although extremely valuable, can also be extremely skewed. When someone tells you a ride was hard, and the data in their power meter file shows you an intensity factor of .75, an average heart rate and power far below what was prescribed for the day, and a duration far below what was recommended, you not only know what the athlete actually did, not having to rely on their feedback, but also have an insight as to why this person might not be performing up to par. This information is crucial to a coach.

Testing

Few coaches will downplay the value of testing. Much of our training programs are based on the results found in the testing of our athletes. This allows us to set up a base line with which to measure our progress and to set up training zones and discover strengths and weaknesses, which will become a primary focus of their training. Without a laboratory setting, many athletes are not able to test with regularity and some may not perform well in such a setting even if they are. The power meter gives us a mobile testing lab, by which sport specific, functional, testing protocols can be applied, which do not require the coach and the athlete to be in the same location. Testing and subsequent retesting becomes easy to implement.

Instantaneous Output Measurement

Last but not least, as previously mentioned, the instantaneous measurement of power as opposed to the delayed response provided by heart rate monitor training is one of the most beneficial aspects of using a power meter. No longer will your athletes try to kill them selves at AC power in an attempt to get their HR up to their LT zone. Training the specific zones becomes easier and more effective.

Power Cons

Expensive

As with all things, there are cons to match the pros. One of these includes the high cost of power meters. With the advent of newer companies coming out with devices these days, a wider range of prices has become available to the consumer, but the prices have remained relatively high, thus eliminating this training tool as an option for many who you may be coaching.

Device Issues

No newer device is perfect or without its problems. The power meter is no exception. As time has passed, the older companies have worked out many of their issues and the newer ones are doing the same, but still, no device can claim itself to be “problem free”. Once again this is where an individual needs to be honest with them selves going into the purchase of a power meter, being aware of these problems and anticipating them before they occur. Nothing can leave someone feeling more frustrated after purchasing an expensive device such as this, thinking it will function perfectly forever, only to have problems with it right away. Educate your athletes of the shortcomings inherent with modern day power meters to help them to avoid having unrealistic expectations that may lead them to disappointment.

Accuracy

Hey, you thought accuracy was in the pro’s list didn’t you? Well, you were right, and it appears here too. This is due to the fact that, while accuracy in measurement is a good thing, it can also be a bad thing if the equipment is not functioning optimally. This can give you skewed results, lead to disappointment and frustration. It is our job to warn people before they get involved and direct them to solutions to their problem before they get overly upset.

Honest

The honesty supplied by power meters is another one of these double-edged characteristics. We are all aware of how this can work both ways. While knowing when you “have it” can be a good thing, it can also be disappointing and depressing. It, once again, becomes our job as coaches to help keep our athletes from becoming overly focused on the minutiae of day-to-day responses from their body and to keep the big picture in mind.

Can Be Complicated

Last but not least, the installation, implementation and analysis can be complicated and may get some athletes down. As coaches, this becomes a part of our job and our responsibility to help athletes view this as part of the process and not get overly focused on the negative. If we are going to embrace new technology that is not perfect yet (and may never be), we have to be willing and prepared to deal with these little bumps in the road that may occur along the way.

Benefits for the Coach

Now that we have covered the basic and mandatory information relevant to this discussion, we can now move to the more pertinent material. The benefits of using a power meter in our exercise prescription and in our clients’ training is of paramount importance to the coach. The benefits are myriad, and being aware of these will help coaches make a decision as to whether or not using power training protocols and power meters in their coaching is a choice they want to make.

Keeping A History of Athletes’ Actual Training

As coaches, one of the most beneficial things we can do for our athletes and for ourselves is to keep a log of the training we prescribe. Better yet, if we are able to track the effect this has on our athletes over the course of any time period, then we are better able to know what to do next season or with another athlete. This information is invaluable in designing future training programs and in working with your athletes. When your athlete has a power meter, they are able to track the entirety of their season including their training and their races. There is no better way to build a history on your athletes.

When an athlete starts up with one of our associates, one of the first things we ask is for them to send us all of their files. This gives us an instantaneous and detailed history of that athlete, their strengths, their weaknesses and their history. Ultimately, it becomes a part of the initial start up process, without which our view of them is relatively limited, especially for those of us coaching athletes from a distance.

Better Monitoring of the Dose/Response Relationship

Similar and related to the history-building amenity that power meters give the coach, the improved monitoring of the dose-response relationship between the training prescribed and the way in which the athlete responds is of extreme value. This is not only improved, but is enhanced in the specific nature by which you are able to look into the athlete’s fitness in response to, and as the result of, the training you recommend. By viewing their lactate threshold, Vo2, anaerobic capacity and neuromuscular power in various circumstances, on various terrain, and at various times in specific workouts, training phases and larger macro-cycles, the coach is able to hone in on very specific elements of the training program that need to be addressed. Did the athletes’ neuromuscular power improve as a result of the sprint training we did over that 3-week period? What is their lactate threshold power on that 6-mile climb that we test on each month at the end of the second build for the year? Where is their average HR for that interval workout after 3 days of rest/or hard training? The power meter allows us to view this at a much deeper and more intricate level than previously possible, making us as coaches, more effective in working with the athletes we coach. This eliminates a lot of the guesswork, and some of our reliance on the subjective data provided by our clients.

More Control Over Training/More Accurate Exercise Prescription

The use of a power meter also gives the coach far greater control over their athletes’ training, allowing them to give much more specific exercise prescriptions. This is key when training certain energy systems, namely the ones responsible for the shorter and higher intensity efforts involved in training the Vo2, anaerobic capacity and the neuromuscular systems. How many times have you found your athletes killing them selves to get their HR up for short intervals, not realizing that they will never do so, and thus training above the intended zone? Since there is no lag time in response to effort, athletes are able to quickly and more closely target specific training intensities, thus making their training more effective.

Having a greater insight into your athletes’ strengths and weaknesses via viewing of their cadence and power on specific terrain, or their power after certain durations or intensities can assist you in designing a program that more specifically targets their weaknesses, thus making their training more specific. Having your athletes send you their files with regularity also increases their accountability to you and also allows you to see what they actually did, as opposed to what they think they did, or what they told you that they did. We all know that these three things can be very different from one another.

Improved Interaction with Clients

Another benefit in having athletes who use power meters is the way in which it typically improves the interaction between the coach and athlete. Any increase in communication between the coach/athlete will improve the coaching dynamic and increase the effectiveness of the athletes training. Being able to share such valuable information as all of the metric functions a power meter tracks as well as the added subjective data is invaluable. This leads to improved client retention and an improved experience for the athlete making it a win/win for all parties involved.

Mobile Testing Lab

It is safe to say that testing is a part of most coaching and training programs. Without it, it is hard to track an athlete’s progress or establish their training zones, at least ones that are based on anything that are measurable and trainable. A favorite at the PCG and of many coaches is the fact that a power meter serves as a mobile testing lab. No longer does an athlete have to seek out a lab and pay fee after exorbitant fee in order to track their fitness. With a power meter, athletes can test whenever the coach wants them to do so and they are not restricted to the confines of a stationary protocol. They are able to train on their favorite routes and at any time.

Easier to Spot Client Strengths & Weaknesses

Last but not least is the fact that when an athlete uses a power meter, it is easier, especially for those coaching from a distance, to spot their clients’ strengths and weaknesses. Even athletes we get to see on a regular basis stand to benefit from the insight into their physiology and their mechanics that viewing their files allows. Using power meter file analysis allows you to see at what cadence an athlete is most efficient and on what terrain. You can tell when they are cooked in certain workouts, or see what was going on when they got dropped or when they won in a race or training ride. Through this view, our interpretation of only subjective data can be spotty at best. The use of a power meter gives us a much more effective tool to look “into” and “at” our athletes with when analyzing the effort put into their training programs.

Coaching Drawbacks

No discussion would be complete without both sides of the coin being discussed. This being said, the use of a power meter in training and coaching can definitely present some drawbacks.

Power Meters Can Be Complicated and Fickle

Power meters can be extremely fickle, and getting to know and learn how to use them can be a complicated and frustrating process. If someone is not prepared for these possibilities, they can become discouraged until they get over this hump. There is a learning curve to everything and power meters are no exception. It is wise for the coach to be aware of this them selves and to communicate this to any of their athletes who are considering the purchase of a power meter.

Technical Support Issues

Becoming familiar enough with the devices so they can handle the troubleshooting issues that come up from time to time becomes a responsibility of the coach if they are going to use power meters in training their athletes. Now, granted, we are not the help-desk at the companies that make these devices, but we will have to know the basics. If you find yourself spending much more than a very small portion of your time trouble shooting or being technical support for your athlete’s power meter woes, then kindly direct them to the company that supports the device. It was your athlete’s choice to start using this device, and unless you demanded they get one, it is their responsibility to figure out the issues that arise form its use. You are not getting paid to be technical support. Beware of this trap!!!  

Athletes Can Become Obsessive with the Minutiae

Clients can become obsessed with the numbers and the use of this device and can start to feel like they shouldn’t ride unless they have it. They can become too dependent on it for gauging their efforts and forget to teach their body how certain efforts should “feel”. They can forget that cycling is supposed to be fun and that it is not just a numbers game, and that it requires many other elements to be learned and fine-tuned in order to succeed such as tactics, knowledge, experience and skills.

Getting your athletes to not micromanage or be overly focused on their numbers in training is one of your biggest challenges as a coach. This is where communication and the education of your athlete is key. They will need to know that there are many different goals in applying training and the numbers you see are not always reflective of the goal you set out to accomplish at the beginning of the day. We need to be clear with them about what we are trying to accomplish from day to day.

For those athletes who do get overly focused on the numbers, it often useful to have them just leave the power meter off their bike for workouts where it is not imperative that it is used. Also, when they become too obsessed with holding certain numbers, or when doing so will skew the desired outcome of a particular workout, it is also suggested that they cover their CPU readout with some tape or otherwise obscuring material that will keep them focused 100% on their effort rather than the numbers. There are many times, as we all know, that we do not want our athletes to do anything but ride, to focus on the effort, and be in the moment. For many, this is not a problem, especially after the athlete becomes accustomed to using this tool on a regular basis. But for others, this can be an issue that will need to be addressed individually so that it does not detract from their training. The use of a power meter should enhance, not detract from an athletes training. If anything other than this is occurring, this is a red flag that the coach needs to be aware of and address immediately.

What Options Exist for Power Meters?

Surprisingly, in a sport inundated with myriad toys, tools, and gimmicks, seemingly one for every taste, there are still only a few viable options for power meters. This is more than likely still due to the high cost or their production, and we may not see cheaper models until one of the larger and more commercial companies produces one. This, of course depends on the demand for them in the cycling market place. I predict that this happens very soon. For the purpose of this article, the only products that will be discussed are those that truly measure power output, and not those which are power estimators. The big three, or the only three power meters truly relied upon by coaches and athletes alike for valid power measurement are Power Tap, Ergomo, and SRM. Each of these will be discussed in terms of their pros and cons for the coach and the athlete.

Power Tap

The first of these, Power Tap, has been around, or in development for quite some time, maybe not as long as SRM, but close. It has seen its ups and downs but has improved greatly in recent times and has become one of the market leaders and probably the most popular of power meters today. This is due to the positive features that it possesses.

Pros

• Price - Power Tap is the cheapest in price of the big three
• Ease of installation - Power Tap is still the easiest to install
• Accuracy - the Power Tap has come to be relied on for its accuracy (+/-1.5%)
• Software - Power Tap has what has been referred to as “decent” software but has new software in the works
• CPU- Power Tap has a good, small, and easy to use CPU w/ its ever popular average power and interval functions

For those that have not been swayed on its prowess yet, it is due to its few remaining negative qualities that have kept it on their questionable list.

Cons

• Reliability - Power Tap has a knack for needing to be returned to be worked on when the basic troubleshooting methods come up short (although they have improved dramatically in this department in recent times and they have the best customer support in the business)
• Durability - Some times the hub, sometimes the wheel, sometimes the pick up or relay, the Power Tap has had some issues (although they gotten much better lately)
• Heavy Dedicated Wheel - One of the biggest complaints still remains that it requires the use of a heavier than desired wheel, thus making it obsolete for many come race day

Ergomo

Ergomo is one of the newest kids on the block although it is not as new as many might think. Having been on the European market, and being one of the most popular power meters over there due to its availability, price and the fact that you can use whatever wheels you want, the Ergomo has many good points.

Pros

• Mid-range price - Not quite as cheap as Power Tap, but less than ½ the price of its comparable version from SRM
• Use Any Wheels - A favorite reason for most that purchase this system, using any wheels allows it to be used in races and all training situations without the weight penalty.
• Software - Due to a deal that was struck between CyclingPeaksSoftware and Ergomo-USA, this power meter comes with the best software available
• Ease of Use - Once you put it in, you forget about it and just ride
• Large CPU - To some this is an eye sore, but for those who want to see all the pertinent information at all times during their ride this is a plus

Like Power tap in its early days, Ergomo has had its own growing pains, and it is this process that has brought its own criticism and complaints from the cycling public.

Cons

• Installation - Ergomo does require more technical knowledge when it comes to its installation
• Durability - The Ergomo had a batch of product that had an issue with the axle that has since been fixed, but was a major headache for all parties involved
• Ease of Use - The Ergomo does require a bit of reading and support when trying to figure out some of its idiosyncrasies
• Large CPU - as previously mentioned this can be an issue for some aesthetically

SRM

What has come to be known as the gold standard of power meters, SRM has probably has received the greatest reviews but like all of the devices under review here, is not perfect.

Pros

• Accuracy - SRM has been known to be extremely accurate (+/-1.5 for the Pro version)
• Reliability - SRM is known to be very reliable
• Use Any Wheels - Like Ergomo, the SRM allows the use of any wheels
• Low Profile - SRM has what has been said to be the best “look” of all the CPU’s with it mounting in front of the handle-bars, keeping this area clear
• Software - Although a little complicated for the average user, the SRM’s software is good

Cons

• Price - The SRM has is the most expensive of its comparable counterparts
• Software - As previously mentioned, the software, while good, is also fairly complicated and often said to be “hard to understand”
• Installation - Similar to the Ergomo, the SRM requires much more technical knowledge to install than does the Power Tap

As one can see, no power meter available today can boast perfection. Rather, they seem to be works in progress, and although light years ahead of their original quality and reliability, still have a little ways to go before they are without problems entirely.

Other Devices

There are other options available for training with power. For those who do not want to go the route of installing a power meter on their bike, many have chosen to purchase a Computrainer or Velodyne. These are indoor, ergometer-like devices that allow you to test and train, when applicable, on an indoor power measurement device. It is a great way to train with power in bad weather conditions and to have an on site testing facility to track your progress. Like the other power meters discussed, they are a bit pricey and unlike power meters, cumbersome and may be difficult for some to house.

Exercise ergometers are also stationary bikes with power meters and are typically found in exercise science laboratories and in some fitness facilities. While not as available, these are also great ways to test your fitness throughout a training season and are where this all got started. Some stationary bicycles in fitness clubs also have power measurement but the question here is accuracy and it will hard to find two that give the same reading for the same effort.

Lastly, the advent of much improved power meter software has revolutionized the analysis of the data that we collect from power meters. Industry leader, Cycling Peaks Software, has quickly become the software of choice for power meter analysis and has been adopted by USA Cycling and many of the top coaches, coaching organizations and athletes all over the world due to the many features it offers. From analyzing files to the fullest, it’s fully customizable graphs and charts, as well as its history building metric diary and tracking features, this software has revolutionized the way coaches and athletes alike use the data they get from their power meters in training and racing, thus making training with power even more fruitful than before.

How to Recommend One to Your Clients

As coaches we will always be looked to by the athletes we coach, like it or not, for our recommendations on what products to purchase. The power meter is no exception. Whatever stance you take on this subject, it is highly recommended that you remain as impartial as possible and recommend only what you have used and found to be effective, reliable, and positive. When faced with this situation, try to remain as impartial as possible and adhere to basic principles and good judgment. Simply try to get your athletes to match the pros of the power meter they are thinking about purchasing with the aspects that they “have to have” and the cons with the things that they can “live without”.

Sometimes, depending on the athlete and their financial circumstances, it is wise to tell them to match the funds they have available and their budget to the price range of the power meter they can afford. Never push anything on anyone, and instead, try to equip them with the information they need to make an educated and confident decision about anything regarding their training. The decision, and the resulting experience, is up to them, not us, but we do have to live with the athlete’s decision, like it or not.

What to Look for in a Power Meter

When searching for a power meter, there are some basic things to keep in mind. Athletes are going to look to you for guidance, so it pays to be prepared if you are going to employ this training tool on your coaching.

• Price - match power meter with funds available
• Reliability - being able to depend on the numbers is critical to tracking progress
• Accuracy - coupled with reliability, one of the most important features
• Durability - make sure the device will hold up to what you will put it through
• Software - what you get out of it may depend on your comfort with, and understanding of the software. Make sure before you buy.
• Application/Use - If you cannot understand it, then you will not use it, and a power meter is far too expensive a tool not to use.

More Information Please!

For more and very complete information on training with power, please visit www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com and check out all of the information at the Power 411 links by Hunter Allen, USAC Elite Coach and Andy Cogan PhD.

You can contact Jeb directly via e-mail at jeb@peakscoachinggroup.com, by phone at (813) 230-2900, or visit their web site at www.peakscoachinggroup.com.

For more information on subjects related to endurance training or for any of your coaching and training needs check out Jeb and the rest of the coaches from the Peaks Coaching Group at www.peakscoachinggroup.com.

eb Stewart is a USA Cycling Expert Level coach and has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. He is certified by the ACSM, the NSCA, the NASM and is the head assistant coach and co-owner of The Peaks Coaching Group. He has a long history of competing in a variety of athletic endeavors at the national level and currently races on the road around the country annually. He specializes in coaching athletes of all walks of life using a holistic approach and is on the forefront of coaching cyclists with power. Jeb’s passion for helping people go to the next level in all of their endeavors has led him to become a presenter, writer, and consultant on anything related to training, performance, and wellness. You can contact Jeb directly at jeb@peakscoachinggroup.com or at (813) 230-2900.