Knowledge Base

Training

Cycling training is a science and an art. How endurance athletes train, when they train, and the intensity and duration of that training all affect the gains and adaptations they see.

Proper interval execution is essential to see the expected progress. How you analyze and interpret all that data is equally valuable. Of course, training needs to be planned so it fits into any given season, race schedule, and lifestyle. Off the bike, the importance of strength and conditioning is often neglected.

This is training. This process is what athletes live for.

Featured Content

Cyclists using the polarized training method or 80/30 training

Polarized Training Pathway

In collaboration with Dr. Stephen Seiler, the “father of polarized training,” we have curated everything you need to know about the 80/20 training method.

Alan Couzens, MSc, Chris Case, et. al.
Competitive road cyclists doing cycling interval workouts from the Fast Talk Labs Cycling Interval Training Pathway

Cycling Interval Training Pathway

Interval workouts are a fundamental part of any endurance training program. Learn exactly what intervals are, why they are so important, and how to properly execute interval workouts with the help of Sebastian Weber, Neal Henderson, and Dr. Stephen Seiler.

Chris Case, Dr. Stephen Cheung, et. al.
How to Build an Annual Training Plan

How to Develop a Yearly Training Plan

We review the art and science of developing and maintaining an annual training plan, which helps athletes progress and perform at their best.

Houshang Amiri
group of cyclists

Base Training for Time-Crunched Athletes

It’s hard to find time to fit in the long, slow miles that traditionally comprise the base season. Coach Trevor Connor offers suggestions for improving life-training balance, understanding quality versus quantity, and more.

Trevor Connor
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Training > Polarized Training

Joe Friel Fast Talk Podcast Cyclists Training Bible

Unpacking the Gospel of Joe Friel’s New “Training Bible”

We talk with Joe Friel about the newest edition of his bestselling cycling training book The Cyclist’s Training Bible. We touched on everything from periodization to energy systems, to Joe’s method of research…which believe it or not, has a lot to do with hundreds of 3”x5” note cards.

Fast Talk Podcast Episode 50

Which Is Better: Polarization or Sweet Spot?

Which is better, sweet spot training or polarized training? To find out, we invited in proponents of each type of training — FasCat’s Frank Overton on the sweet spot side, and Boulder Center for Sports Medicine’s Ryan Kohler to advocate for a polarized model — and let them have at it.

Fast Talk Podcast Episode 14