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Documentation image

Cycling FTP: The Number That Sets Your Training Zones

Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is the highest average power, measured in watts, that a cyclist can sustain for approximately one hour. It is a key reference point for endurance performance and the foundation for setting accurate cycling power zones.

How It Is Measured

Apple Watch and bike computers can estimate FTP from your power data once connected to a power meter. For Apple Watch, the power meter must support a Bluetooth connection.

For a more accurate result, an FTP test is the better option. A dedicated test gives you a number grounded in actual performance rather than an estimate, which means more reliable training zones and better insight into your progress over time. There are three commonly used protocols.


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Standard 20-Minute Test

What You'll Need

  • A bike or smart trainer
  • A power meter
  • A bike computer or app
  • A heart rate monitor (optional, but useful)

The Test

  • Warm up for 20 to 30 minutes
  • Ride as hard as you can sustain for 20 minutes, pace it evenly and do not go out too hard
  • Cool down

Calculating Your FTP

FTP = Avg 20-min Power × 0.95


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8-Minute Test

What You'll Need

  • A bike or smart trainer
  • A power meter
  • A bike computer or app
  • A heart rate monitor (optional, but useful)

The Test

  • Warm up for 20 to 30 minutes
  • Do two 8-minute full-gas efforts, separated by 10 minutes of easy spinning
  • Cool down

Calculating Your FTP

FTP = Avg 8-min Power × 0.90

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Ramp Test

What You'll Need

  • A bike or smart trainer
  • A power meter
  • A bike computer or app
  • A heart rate monitor (optional, but useful)

The Test

  • Start easy
  • Power increases every minute, usually by 20 to 25W
  • Go until you can no longer hold the target power
  • The test ends when you fail to complete a full minute at a given power level

Calculating Your FTP

FTP = Max 1-min Power × 0.75

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