Empirical Cycling Podcast

In this first extended Ten Minute Tips, Kyle uses the extra time well to review his strategies to effectively read, digest, and understand any scientific paper. If you read papers along with us for the Watts Doc episodes, this may be a good playbook to pull from. Cover art on this is an example of "data massage" as mentioned in the episode.

This episode looks at some cellular mechanisms of how HIT training leads to adaptation, or maybe doesn't. Ryanodine receptors, free radicals, calcium, the size principle, fluorescent mouse muscles, and more!

This episode compares several types of steady state endurance training to the ability to perform repeated efforts above threshold and sprints. It outlines some of the science behind the different adaptations, training strategies to improve your ability, and suggested methods to track this specific type of fitness.

To celebrate 100k podcast listens, we asked for questions on r/velo and we got some great ones! This is a wide ranging and fun episode that covers how Kolie and Kyle feel about steady z3 rides, whether anaerobic capacity or FTP is the limiter, a few controversial training opinions, lifting, sprinting, the indoor equivalent to outdoor, and many other things.

In this extra long episode of Ten Minute Tips, Kolie shares the why and how of his two favorite technique drills to perfect your sprint. Newton's third law and learning to relax means big gears, little gears, and big power!

In the next installment of what is definitely not Squatober, Kyle discusses bar placement in he back squat, and finding the right foot position and stance for your squat.

In this Ten Minute Tips series that we will not call Squatober, Kyle shares his wisdom from many decades of lifting heavy weights. This episode focuses on proper breathing technique to move big weights, and why.

This episode revisits FTP testing. We look at the progressions outlined in the 2018 FTP testing article, intensity domains, FTP, heart rate, and critical power, ramp tests, and defining terms in the sciences. We also look at "training ruts" and their effects on open-ended FTP tests, and methods to avoid those ruts. The podcast concludes with discussing definitions of various thresholds in the scientific literature.

In this episode we discuss preparations for successfully Everesting. With training we discuss periodization, cadence, and bike fit, and logistic preparations include picking the right road, nutrition, gearing, and dealing with mechanical and accident risks.

Explore the nuances of VO2max training, including cadence choices and standing during intervals. Learn how to pace effectively and whether high-intensity intervals suit junior athletes. Discover the benefits of 30/15s and intermittent intervals for race preparation. Delve into the dynamics of rest between VO2 intervals and the effects of terrain on performance. The hosts also critique methodologies from a recent study, shedding light on the intricate relationship between training, adaptations, and long-term gains.