Recovery between Intervals

fenix

OK so I've been Zwifting of late and enjoying it - especially their workouts and group rides.

One thing that gets me is when I'm doing an interval session and compare it to how others have completed it (nosey).

My intervals are intense and then rest is very relaxed with the HR dropping right back along with power. I've found that quite a lot of riders are getting graphs that are very different - their rest periods almost look like they blend in with the interval. How can you hope to do the next interval properly if you're not recovering properly ?

What's their reasoning for not backing off ?

burnthesheep

Their intervals might be closer to an "over under" than a "power interval". Too many variables to say. So much literature out there on the topic.

My only guess, kind of like this:

You: let's say an ftp of 250w
workout is: 300w for 3min, 3min rest, 300w for 3 min, 3min rest, 300w for 3min, 10min rest...............repeat set once more

Them: their ftp is 300w
their workout is: 315W for 3 min, 285w for 3min, 315W for 3min, 285w for 3min.........continue for set

This would appear to "blend" with the intervals IF they are doing over/under but you are doing power intervals.

kingstongraham

Is their rest done at a similar percentage of power? The workouts I'm doing tend to have the proper rest sections at 50% FTP which feels difficult to stay that low when warming up, but very welcome when you've just done an effort.

I'm not sure how my HR reacts, but I would have thought that's different for everyone.

Dave_P1

Concentrate on your workout, not someone else, as apart from everything else, you don't even know if they're doing it correctly or not.

FWIW, it sounds like you're doing it correctly.