Understanding Threshold Breakthroughs in Fitness Training
When it comes to improving your fitness, understanding and managing your training intensity is key. In the app, we introduced a clever way to help you track and update your fitness progress through something we call "threshold breakthroughs." Let's break down what this means and why it's important for your workouts.
What are Breakthroughs?
Threshold breakthroughs are moments during your workouts when you achieve higher levels of performance than you have before. Think of it as hitting a new personal best. When our system detects that you've reached a higher threshold, it prompts you to update your personal fitness thresholds. These thresholds are important because they guide how hard you should push yourself during workouts.
Why Are Thresholds Important?
Thresholds help us estimate the intensity of your workouts. This is crucial for managing your Training Load, ensuring you're not working too hard or too little. Your Activity Zone, which dictate the intensity levels you should aim for in different workouts, are based on these thresholds. By understanding and updating them, you can make your workouts more effective.
Types of Thresholds
In the app, we use different types of thresholds:
- HR Threshold (Heart Rate Threshold):Â This is the maximum average heart rate you can hold for an hour. It helps you understand how hard your heart is working during your fitness activities.
- FTP (Functional Threshold Power):Â This represents the highest average power you can sustain for an hour on a bike. For instance, an FTP of 260 Watts means you can maintain that level for 60 minutes.
- Pace Threshold:Â While not yet in the app, this would reflect the fastest pace you can keep up for an hour, useful for activities like running and swimming.
How Do Thresholds Change?
As you get fitter, your thresholds increase. This means as you train and your body adapts, you can handle more intense workouts. By regularly updating your thresholds when breakthroughs happen, you ensure that your training stays challenging and effective, pushing you towards your fitness goals.
How does it help?
The app detects when you've reached a breakthrough during your workouts and prompts you to update your thresholds. This can help improve the accuracy of your training zones and optimize your workout recommendations, ensuring you're always training at the right intensity for your current fitness level.
By understanding and utilizing threshold breakthroughs, you can take your fitness training to the next level, ensuring that your workouts are tailored just right for you, driving continuous improvement and avoiding plateaus.
Keep an eye out for those breakthroughs! They're a sign you're making great progress!