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What’s My FTP?​ app from Baron Biosystems takes guess work out of training with power

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Baron Biosystems What's My FTP live Functional Threshold Power calculation Garmin Connect app complete

This new What’s My FTP?​ training app for Garmin GPS devices from Baron Biosystems aims to make working with a power meter even easier than before. We’ve already seen some work from Baron on the Xert training platform that adapts to your live power data to create smart training plans, and the Xert app that brings those live updated figures to your Garmin. But now they have gone right to the sources and are providing an easier way to get current FTP without cumbersome on the road tests…

Baron Biosystems What's My FTP live Functional Threshold Power calculation Garmin Connect app step1 Baron Biosystems What's My FTP live Functional Threshold Power calculation Garmin Connect app step 2

For riders working to hone their fitness and form, determining accurate Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is the most core building block for developing a training plan.

But, traditional FTP testing requires a full all-out hour effort on the bike, and most cyclists don’t actually have the time, or the actual reliable & uninterrupted course/track to put in an hour effort, or in many cases the will to suffer for that key performance metric. Shorter 20min or 30min efforts have been fairly reliable for approximating FTP, but even these are cumbersome enough that most cyclists do not recalculate their FTP accurately as they progress through a season’s training plan.

Baron Biosystems What's My FTP live Functional Threshold Power calculation Garmin Connect app step 3 Baron Biosystems What's My FTP live Functional Threshold Power calculation Garmin Connect app step 4

The same algorithmic methodology that made the Xert smart training work, has be adapted to just FTP now. So now What’s My FTP?​ constantly pulls in your power output data, and with a simple color-coded circular gauge it helps cyclists identify their current level of effort, and when you hit the point of exhaustion where you just can’t go any harder, the power figure shown in the middle will be your new FTP.

The core of the new app is the ability to work out your training plans from a base number that is accurate to your current capabilities. Dr. Stephen Cheung, the Chief Sport Scientist for Baron told us, “using this new app, a cyclist just needs to do a hard ride and get their FTP value, without worrying about the exact length or nature of the course… it demonstrates the incredible capabilities available in [our] Xert algorithms.”

Baron Biosystems What's My FTP live Functional Threshold Power calculation Garmin Connect app 2 data fields

Reset the app anytime to go out, put in a max-level hard effort, and it will update your FTP. Baron sees great potential for cyclists to adapt and update their training plans, but almost just as important is for coaches (& riders alike) to be able to look at how longer races or time off the bike affect an athlete’s FTP output.

Baron Biosystems What's My FTP live Functional Threshold Power calculation Garmin Connect app Fenix wearable GPS watch

What’s My FTP? is a Garmin Connect IQ Datafield, which means anyone using a powermeter and a Edge 520, 820, 1000, or some Fenix & Forerunner watches can download the app directly from Garmin Connect and simply add it as a new page on their device.

The Garmin Connect app is free to download (as is the Xert app), while the full Xert smart training requires a subscription service.

BaronBiosys.com

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Glen
Glen
6 years ago

“But, traditional FTP testing requires a full all-out hour effort on the bike, and most cyclists don’t actually have the time, or the actual reliable & uninterrupted course/track to put in an hour effort, or in many cases the will to suffer for that key performance metric”

C’mon, I know people are trying to sell stuff but you could write a long article about all the things wrong with just this passage quoted here. A far better tactic would be to point out the benefits of training with power using an accurate FTP. Vice throwing out gibberish like this, which is the cycling equivalent of “6 minute abs”.

myke2241
myke2241
6 years ago
Reply to  Glen

First thing is this FTP test is free for most Garmin head unit owners. Secondly the quote is pretty accurate. Unless you own a trainer or way outside a city good luck finding a mostly flat uninterrupted.

Glen
Glen
6 years ago
Reply to  myke2241

Free? I’ve never paid for FTP test. I’ve lived all over the US, from the coast, mountains, prairie places with no winter, places with plenty. What I haven’t done is lived somewhere I couldn’t with relative ease do threshold testing. And I’m not sure whose “tradition” a “full all-out hour effort” is but it’s not mine. The hour is part of the definition but there are several simpler ways to get there than that.

And “unless you own a trainer”? You make them sound like unicorns when we all know most cyclist have one, and almost all have access to one. If you can’t find a place outside to conduct a 20 minute threshold power test you either aren’t looking or aren’t very creative.

Tim
Tim
6 years ago

Golden cheetah uses a similar algorithm and it works so I’m pretty confident in using this app

J D
J D
6 years ago

Strava also will give you an est FTP (for premium members) based on your power curve. My Drivo trainer FTP tests, Strava, and Golden Cheetah all fall within 8 watts.

Terrence
Terrence
6 years ago

Or you could just do a hard ride and see what the mean max. power in WKO+, Golden Cheetah is etc…

Terrence
Terrence
6 years ago
Reply to  Terrence

1hr mean max. power…

dypeterc
dypeterc
6 years ago

Only way to do consistently reproducible accurate and convenient FTP testing is using a power trainer. It eliminates virtually all variables and you’re only left with what you’ve brought to the table that day.

Also people need to realize FTP is just a number relevant to training only. It doesn’t mean anything out in the real world. It’s just a measure of training progress and even a single point doesn’t mean much. Trend is where it’s at.

Peter
Peter
6 years ago

Suggest people don’t knock it until they have tried it. Xert is shockingly accurate and incredibly useful.

Nick Dorey
6 years ago
Reply to  Peter

I agree. It was within 4% of the FTP i got from a Lactate Threshold test.

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