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Table of Contents

  1. Why do in need a coach?
  2. Do I need a power meter?
  3. What are some quality power meters ... ?
  4. Can I just Train with Heart rate monitor ... ?

 


Why do I need a coach?

[A coach provides feed back on how the training is going. Coaching involves developing technical and race skills and strategies. A coach is someone who holds you accountable to your training and motivates you. A coach uses science to develop a training plan to implement of their athlete. Having a coaching takes away the second guessing yourself and provides results. To learn more click here for a pdf from USA cycling on why to hire a coach. ]

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Do I need a power meter ?

[Your heart rate monitor is a good measure of training stress. The problem is that what it measures (your heart rate) is variable based not only on the exercise you are doing, but a lot of other stuff that has very little to do with the training task at hand.  For instance, heat stress will make your heart rate higher at the same work rate. Overtraining may make it lower. Excitement will make it higher.  Dehydration will make it higher. Lack of sleep plays a role.  You get the idea here. Heart rate has been call plain too unreliable. It’s what we call a dependent variable: your heart rate is dependent upon all those things, and on how hard you train. What you need is something that tells how much work you are doing directly. Enter the power meter, which mechanically measures your work rate. Power output is always an accurate reflection of your workout…your 5-minute maximal power is your 5-minute maximal power, no matter how your heart responds to your attempt at generating it. (Dr Skiba 2007]

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What are some quality power meters ... ?

[Research has shown the SRM to be considered the "gold standard for measuring power. SRM has been out since 1986 and still today is consider the best and most expensive in power meters. However, I have seen great results and research on the PowerTap power meter. If you are a single sport athlete cycling, MTN, or BMX then I would recommend going with the SRM power meter. For the Triathlete or multisport athlete I would recommend the PowerTap because the head unit can easily be put in your pocket on a run. There are a variety of other power meter by Polar, Quarq, and the Ibike. ]

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Can I just train with heart rate... ?

Yes, I have clients that just use heart rate. Due to the cost of power meters not every one can afford them however, heart rate is the next best alternative that can be been used.  If you are looking for a good heart rate monitor that is reasonable and has all the bells and whistles than go with the Garmin (Forerunner and Edge). The best price I have found on the Garmin watches is on Amazon.com. 

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