A selection of the best Power Training guides and handbooks. There are hundreds of free online resources relating to power training for cyclists. Some are informed, scientifically supported, and technically well researched. Unfortunately, a considerable amount is just someone’s personal and unsupported opinion. No one wants to waste time following a bogus power training program. Worst case scenario it could have a negative effect on your riding.
The two books listed below are all well researched, scientifically sound POWER TRAINING books from respected authors. Joe Friel is my personal favorite working with many professional athletes.
Book 1
The Power Meter Handbook: A User’s Guide for Cyclists and Triathletes
Author – Joe Friel (blog)
Amazon Reviews – 4.6/5 Stars from 37 reviews
Joe Friel (courtesy of TrainingPeaks.com) – “An endurance coach since 1980, Joe Friel has worked with triathletes and cyclists from all over the world helping them achieve their race goals. He also trains coaches around the world and has consulted with national federations and national Olympic team coaches. Coach Friel offers personal camps, and seminars for clubs and teams, and consults with professional athletes. He is currently not accepting one-on-one coaching clients”
Book Synopsis
“Power meters measure a cyclist s strength, but this revolutionary training technology can benefit everyone, not just the most powerful riders. In The Power Meter Handbook, the most trusted coach in endurance sports offers a simple user guide to help cyclists and triathletes master the fundamentals of training with power. Friel shows cyclists how to sift through noisy data to focus on just the most important measurements. Armed with the techniques they need to know, riders will master power training concepts, accurately interpret their data, and learn how to harness this revolutionary technology to earn big performance gains from their day-to-day training ….”
Book 2
Training and Racing with a Power Meter
Authors – Hunter Allen (blog) & Andrew Coggan (ext)
Amazon Reviews – 4.7/5 Stars from 46 reviews
Andrew Coggan Ph.D. (courtesy of PeaksCoaching) – “is an internationally recognized exercise physiologist. He has published numerous scientific articles on a diverse range of topics, including the effects of carbohydrates on cycling performance, the physiological adaptations to endurance training, and the effects of aging on muscle metabolism during exercise”
Hunter Allen (courtesy of PeaksCoaching) – “is widely known as one of the top experts in the world in coaching endurance athletes using power meters, Hunter Allen’s goal has always been to teach athletes how to maximize their training and racing potential through professional analysis of their power data. This goes hand in hand with his philosophy that a power meter helps athletes discover their true strengths and weaknesses, quantitatively assess their training improvements, and refine and maximize the focus of their training”
Book Synopsis
“A power meter is the ultimate training tool for serious cyclists and triathletes. Affixed to the handlebars, a power meter is like a cycling supercomputer, displaying critical data on a cyclist’s speed, distance, and workload. “Training and Racing with a Power Meter” is the missing manual for competitive athletes who want to unlock the secrets that lead to speed. This second edition updates the only book devoted to this rapidly changing science. In only a few short years, power meters have become an essential training tool for amateur and pro cyclists and triathletes. The first edition of “Training and Racing with a Power Meter” was largely responsible for popularising what was once an arcane technology understood by only a few elite coaches and trainers ….. “
