Losing power with weight

smacl

I picked up a vr turbo trainer just before Christmas, to get a bit of training done in the bad weather and get a feel for moving from a hybrid to road setup. I've been using it about 5 evenings a week for 45 mins to an hour per session. Since starting to use it I've lost a little over a stone (~8% of body weight), but comparing analyses of circuits I did since Christmas, my average power output and average speed seem to be falling slightly (~4%). Is this normal? I'd kind of expected to be going faster / putting out more power based on more training. I haven't changed anything on the trainer, though I've been through a few minor software updates. I'm also doing less of other types of training, e.g. weights and circuits.

chakattack

smacl wrote: »

I picked up a vr turbo trainer just before Christmas, to get a bit of training done in the bad weather and get a feel for moving from a hybrid to road setup. I've been using it about 5 evenings a week for 45 mins to an hour per session. Since starting to use it I've lost a little over a stone (~8% of body weight), but comparing analyses of circuits I did since Christmas, my average power output and average speed seem to be falling slightly (~4%). Is this normal? I'd kind of expected to be going faster / putting out more power based on more training. I haven't changed anything on the trainer, though I've been through a few minor software updates. I'm also doing less of other types of training, e.g. weights and circuits.

Was your heart rate the same? You might just be putting in less effort?Doubt you have lost power if you lost the weight steadily while eating normally. Weights seem to help with very max power, 5 sec sprint but not much with sustainable power.

Lumen

Assuming you have one of the Tacx things, 4% is well within the large margin of error for the power measurement.

Maybe you're just fed up with using a turbo.

smacl

Lumen wrote: »

Maybe you're just fed up with using a turbo.

Very strong possibility. Roll on the longer evenings.

Beasty

Have you adjusted your weight on the VR? Your average speed should drop at a slower rate than average power as you lose weight (essentially at the lower weight you need less power to maintain the same speed, particularly on the hillier circuits)

billy.fish

So have you lost fat?

your talking in mass not in change in body composition. You could have easily lost 8% of your fat free mass.

Correlation does not imply causation.

Oldlegs

You may be losing weight because you are not doing enough exercise compared to what you had been doing pre-turbo. This could lead to a reduction in your muscle / muscle density and therefore reduce your power.

In my case, 5 nights x 45-60 minute turbo session would be a step-up in training, but in your case it may be a step down in the intensity.

{I remember a few years back in the Rugby World Cup when Keith Woods was in his final days. He was too injured to train fully and lost 2 Stone over the duration of the World cup ! }.

I am sure that once you return to you pre-winter training your weight/muscle mass/power will return very quickly. I have been told that Winter training is about long + slow sessions, with the intensity then added back in during spring.
I am 50% of the way there - I have the SLOW mastered . Trying to get the LONG part added in as well, although we are almost back to adding the INTENSITY. Maybe next year ...

smacl

billy.fish wrote: »

So have you lost fat?

your talking in mass not in change in body composition. You could have easily lost 8% of your fat free mass.

Correlation does not imply causation.

It's certainly possible. I think the weight loss is more down to diet, specifically cutting down booze and fatty foods in an attempt to drop a bit of weight to make the hills a bit easier in the spring and summer. I haven't measured fat, but visually the change is more evident around the belly. I should really have established a base line of some kind starting out.

smacl

Beasty wrote: »

Have you adjusted your weight on the VR? Your average speed should drop at a slower rate than average power as you lose weight (essentially at the lower weight you need less power to maintain the same speed, particularly on the hillier circuits)

I hadn't thought of that. I guess how hard the VR applies the brakes on hills ought to be based on a function of rider weight and gradient. Given I'm now lighter, the hills should be easier, although the power required to get up the hills would be similarly reduced. I'll stick in my new weight and see what difference it makes.

billy.fish

It's more than possible. It happens. Have had cyclists come back into the lab after loosing 5kg, showing reductions in power output, increased lactates. Dexa scan showed that he'd manage to loose 5kg of lean muscle, not usless fat.

Mass means nothing on its own.

d4r3n

Assuming you lost 8% in weight and 4% in power, aren't you now up 4% in w/kg?

smacl

billy.fish wrote: »

It's more than possible. It happens. Have had cyclists come back into the lab after loosing 5kg, showing reductions in power output, increased lactates. Dexa scan showed that he'd manage to loose 5kg of lean muscle, not usless fat.

Mass means nothing on its own.

I'm guessing this is not something I'm going to be able to check retrospectively in the absence of a time machine. Currently, the only way I have of checking fat is one of those little skin caliper things, or getting one of the lads in the gym to check me. Though I'm not entirely convinced on the accuracy of the kit they're using either, a machine you step on that possibly measures resistivity or some such.

Being in my mid 40s (technically late 40s as of today) I'm certainly keen not to lose significant muscle mass. Maybe time to ditch the turbo for a couple of nights a week in favour of weights. The training is purely for leisure / health, no interest in anything competitive, just want to enjoy some of the longer sportives.

Lumen

smacl wrote: »

I'm guessing this is not something I'm going to be able to check retrospectively in the absence of a time machine. Currently, the only way I have of checking fat is one of those little skin caliper things, or getting one of the lads in the gym to check me. Though I'm not entirely convinced on the accuracy of the kit they're using either, a machine you step on that possibly measures resistivity or some such.

Being in my mid 40s (technically late 40s as of today) I'm certainly keen not to lose significant muscle mass. Maybe time to ditch the turbo for a couple of nights a week in favour of weights. The training is purely for leisure / health, no interest in anything competitive, just want to enjoy some of the longer sportives.

Hang on though.

Taking the stats at face value, you've lost 8% weight and 4% power, so your power/weight is up 4%. Isn't that a good result?

Do you look leaner?

Hungrycol

:D:D HAPPY BIRTHDAY :D:D

smacl

Lumen wrote: »

Hang on though.

Taking the stats at face value, you've lost 8% weight and 4% power, so your power/weight is up 4%. Isn't that a good result?

Do you look leaner?

Naively perhaps, I was hoping to lose weight and gain power. Looking leaner ok, and actual hills are easier, just not virtual ones. Your initial comment on getting a bit bored of the turbo could be closest to the root cause, but I'll stick on it until the evenings brighten.