Peloton’s Auto-Resistance Feature Can Add Ease to Power Zone Workouts
Peloton coach Matt Wilpers has been pushing Peloton riders to improve their cycling power and prepare for IRL cycling using the Peloton Bike+ for years. The Power Zone workouts on the app were his brainchild, and over the years, they’ve grown in popularity. And a recent upgrade to the Bike+ has made them even easier to follow.
Now, Power Zone workouts have the option for users to select Auto Resistance, will enable riders to follow along with the instructor’s zone cues without needing to adjust their resistance manually. As a rider’s cadence increases or decreases, their resistance will automatically adjust to keep the rider within their proper output range for the instructed zone—basically, Peloton now has ERG mode for riders.
We spoke with Wilpers to learn more about the new feature, how Power Zones can help cyclists boost their fitness, and a couple of his favorite workouts.
Bicycling: People are often surprised that Peloton has anything mentioning power on the platform, period. What is Power Zone Training (PZT) and how does it work for cyclists?
Matt Wilpers: Power Zone rides focus on maintaining customized output zones for specific periods of time in order to stimulate desired performance improvements. By using output zones specific to each individual, riders can be assured that their zones are not only achievable but are also effective at improving their fitness no matter the experience level of the rider.
In contrast to competing on the leaderboard [as most Peloton classes would], riders are encouraged to focus on achieving their prescribed zones as instructed during class.
The customized output zones are ideally based on the rider’s performance in a 20 minute FTP Test Ride. Power Zone Training allows riders of all abilities to equally benefit from the same ride structure as a rider’s individual performance drives what his or her output zones will be. This is why we like to refer to PZT as, “personal training at scale.”
How can riders use the new auto-resistance feature? Is it automatic?
Members joining Power Zone workouts can opt into and out of auto-resistance using their Bike+ tablet. Prior to joining a class, tap the “auto-resistance” button and toggle auto-resistance to “on.” Then, during the workout, auto-resistance will adjust the resistance, keeping the member’s output within the instructed zone. Members can turn on/off auto-resistance at any time during the workout by tapping the lock icon above the resistance metric.
Why are you excited about auto-resistance?
Like in standard on-demand cycling workouts, auto-resistance will reduce friction in the experience, making it easier for members to be fully engaged during their workout. This also makes the experience more approachable for new-to-power zone members.
Obviously, this new tech is just for the actual Peloton Bike+. Why would a cyclist who already has an outdoor bike want to consider an indoor bike?
On the Peloton Bike or Bike+ you are getting an effective workout, coaching and entertainment all in one. We do the thinking for you so that you don’t have to and try to make it entertaining and informative.
Training indoors on the Peloton Bike or Bike+ is a great place to build fitness that translates well to outdoor cycling. Furthermore, I love training on the Peloton Bike or Bike+ versus my outdoor bike when indoors because I don’t wear out all the moving parts on my outdoor bike. (They are expensive!) It’s also much quieter and less fuss and cleanup to do your workout on the Peloton Bike.
Auto-resistance on the Peloton Bike+ and ERG mode on smart trainers are great for keeping you at a specific power, but do you think they translate to outdoor riding?
Auto-resistance for power zone training really helps the rider more accurately accomplish the workout created by the coach. This allows the rider to focus on improving other things like pedal stroke, breathing, posture, and cadence. Because of this, this feature will help riders not only improve their fitness but also allow them to work on the finer details of their cycling so that they can improve even more, indoors or outdoors.
Can you share a favorite workout or two?
75 min Power Zone Endurance Ride
13 min warmup
5 times 9 min at Z3 w/ four Z2 recoveries between
Cooldown
Note: If you’re in my class on the Peloton app, each 9 min interval features a different music genre. We would also work on holding power at different cadence ranges!
45 min Power Zone Ride
13 min warmup
2 x 6 min at Z4 w/ 2 min Z1 recoveries
3 x 3 min at Z5 w/ 3 min Z1 recoveries
Cooldown
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