Record your effort
Power meter record massive amounts of data that you can download after your ride. By reviewing your data, you will know with certainty whether you have completed your training goals or need to revise your training methods.
Add meaning to heart rate monitoring
Heart rate only tells you how fast your heart is pumping and it alone does not tell you how much you are improving. Your heart rate is also affected by factors such as your level of hydration, air temperature, how well you sleep the night before, etc. By comparing heart rate with power, you may find, for example, there are days your heart rate is telling you to slow down, but your power meter is telling you to speed up because you are not making those muscles work hard enough to really create a training stimulus.
Track fitness changes
With power meter, you will be able to track changes in your performance over time based on the power you are producing.
Analyse your race
You will be able to review your power data after your race to gain an objective view of your race performance. Sometimes the most interesting data you can gather come from a race in which you got dropped!
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| Example of training/race data |
Pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses
You will be able to carry out some simple testing protocols to get a clearer picture of your specific strengths and weaknesses. You will know which aspect of training you will need to be working on more, if that is limiting you from progressing.
Improve interaction with your coach
The information from the power meter is clear and concise. Your coach will be able to track your training and riding abilities that he/she would not have been able to figure out even by racing with you. It also increases your accountability. You will know that your coach is going to see that you did only 5 out of the 10 prescribed efforts!
Improve interaction with teammates
Many times in teams, it is not always clear who should be the leader. But with the use of power meter, it's not hard to know exactly who is riding the best.
Gain motivation to work harder
If you are doing a 5 mins effort, and you see your average watts drop near the end of the effort, you'll pick it up just another notch in order to achieve your 5 mins wattage goal.
Improve your position and aerodynamics
You will be able to figure out how your current position on the bike is impacting your overall speed and exactly how to change it in order to produce the most watts and the least amount of drag.
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| Tony Martin in his aero TT position |
Pace your efforts
Whether you are out training or racing, using a power meter as a pacing tool can help you to conserve energy when necessary by sticking to the specific zone.
Create a mobile testing lab
Power meter allows you to test your fitness on a monthly basis and eliminate some of the costly testing that formerly was possible only at a lab.
Enhance indoor training
You will be able to use your indoor trainer to the fullest extent. Data from indoor training sessions are also "cleaner" than on the roads as factors such as terrain and wind are eliminated.
Quantify your sports nutrition
Your production of watts will be drastically reduced if your energy stores are depleted. By knowing your energy expenditure on the bike, you can more accurately plan your nutrition during and after your ride.
With so many benefits that a power meter can offer, there is no reason why you should not be able to reach your fitness goals and achieve your peak performance. However, before your cycling can improve, you must be willing to change your thinking about training first. Just training with a power meter is not going to bring you success. You must know that it's not the power meter that does the work. Instead, you must do the work! Otherwise, power outputs will just be numbers to you and power meter will just be another fancy gadget on your bike. If you are going to spend so much money getting one, why not make it a tool for your cycling success?
Hunter Allen and Andrew Coggan (2010). Training and Racing With A Power Meter. Colorado: VeloPress.
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