Performance metrics

Heart rate variability, or HRV, is the small variation in time between one heartbeat and the next, and for endurance athletes, it’s most useful as a trend that shows how well the body is handling training and life stress, not as a one-off score that tells you whether today is good or bad. Used well, HRV can help you decide when to push, when to hold steady, and when to back off, but it only becomes genuinely useful when you judge it against your own normal range and combine it with sleep, soreness, mood and the demands of your training.

FTP is more than just a number – it’s a powerful way to measure fitness, set training zones and track progress. Discover what counts as a good FTP for cyclists, how gender and age influences FTP, and what it really takes to improve your cycling power.

Base building sets the ceiling for your entire season, yet many cyclists repeat the same early-season training mistakes year after year. This guide highlights the base-building mistakes holding you back, explains what to avoid during base training, and shows how aerobic base cycling, progressive overload, and consistent base riding create a training plan that actually delivers results.

Oxygen deficiency symptoms can come on out of nowhere – like a sudden case of fatigue, dizziness or shortness of breath, especially when you're pushing yourself with endurance training. This guide will explain why low oxygen levels end up happening, how to spot hypoxia symptoms and what cyclists can do to stay safe and ride stronger.