Training and Racing with a Power Meter, 2nd Ed.

If you have a power meter you need this book. You won't read it from cover to cover in one go, that isn't really the point of it. Working with a power meter takes time to really master and I am definitely not there yet. For the beginning there are many work outs to just dip into. There are case studies for particular types of riders which for a decent rider will actually be very useful to just follow. If you are using training peaks to log your rides this will really help you to understand the information in front of you and plan for the future. It is also excellent if you want to create your own training plans and understand your results. It won't blow your mind and suddenly make you a better athlete, I think another reviewer has commented that it is really for dipping in and out of as your knowledge grows and you start logging your power files and interpreting the data. It does now in its second addition have an overview of power meters and programs like training peaks, so you could actually purchase prior to purchasing a power meter. Just a thought.

I have been training with Trainerroad for the last year (and recently bought a stages power meter). This book was recommended by them on their Trainerroad podcast. I wanted to get the most out of the power meter. I have learned a lot of new things from the book - interpretation of data using software (I downloaded the free Golden Cheetah software for my Mac), power profiles, quadrant analysis etc. It also suggests various power based workouts to develop specific areas. I had previously just blindly followed the Trainerroad training plan (which is great for indoor turbo trainer rides) but will use the book to plan structured intervals on my road rides and daily commute.It goes into quite a lot of scientific/mathematical detail at times but I found that it was not too difficult to follow.If you have spent the money getting an expensive power meter, I think that this book is an essential buy to enable you to get the most out of it.

This is quite an amazing book for the Cyclist or Triathlete who is trying to move from fit to being actually fast. Developing consistent speed over any real distance e.g 10kM TT or Olympic Distance Bike race requires an understanding of your Threshold Power. Getting fast up a 5min or better yet 30min climb requires a detailed understanding of the difference between training for Vo2Max and SubThreshold. This book explains the ways to develop these specific fitness goals. I have the Kindle and Paperback version. I felt that the paperback was worth it given the need to flick back and forth. When the book arrived it exceeded my expectations. It is much better as a paperback.

I bought this book as the other book I had ( The power meter hand book, a users guide for cyclists and triathletes) by Joe Friel, seemed to start easily enough then boom, deep sports scientist speak, which lost me and I put the book down. This one I am afraid to say, is just the same words shuffled about a bit by a different author. Three chapters in and again boom, if your not a sports scientist, you struggle. I am still reading them both, now several times, but stall at or thereabouts the same point. Stuff is beginning to make sense the more I persevere and analyse my ride data, but its real slow going.

Ive been told this is the bible for power meters. There's some handy information in the first few chapters for working out FTP and power zones, but I reckon you can find this information on the internet for free. Then the rest of this book goes into far much depth thats irrelevant for me. You'll probably need to have a Doctorate in sports medicine to make the most of this book.

Essential reading for cyclists either using or contemplating using power meters in their training. All the important metrics are explained and their use in training is clearly explained. The interpretation of power data and how to use the data to develop training plans is set out together with example workouts to illustrate case studies. Training peaks software is used for analysis; however, much of the same functionality is available in (free) Golden Cheetah software.I highly recommend this book.

Although unable to keep up with the marketplace for the first product review section, the remainder of the book is in depth yet readable. This is more of a micro view book. For the big picture, year round stuff they still refer to Friel's.

Dr Coggan is very well known in UK now for his book and his major contribution to changing the way we train along with coach and co author Hunter Allen. I learned a lot from this Edition and the next one is eagerly awaited.