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FTP Test · Standard 20-min

20-MIN FTP TEST

The gold-standard FTP test. 10-min warmup → 5-min activation → 5-min rest → 20-min best effort → 10-min cooldown. Total session: 45 minutes. Auto-calculates your new FTP and syncs it to JoyOne, JoyAnalyze, and JoyFit.

45 min totalFTP = 20min × 0.95Updates FTP platform-wideStart FTP Test

Test Protocol

Five phases, 45 minutes total. Follow the timeline exactly — the rest between activation and test is what separates a valid result from a blown-up one.

10
min
WarmupWarmupStart
50 → 75% FTP (progressive)

Progressive ramp from easy spin to moderate. Aim for HR < 75% max by the end.

Progressive ramp from easy spin to moderate. Aim for HR < 75% max by the end.

5
min
ActivationActivation
100% FTP

5 minutes at threshold to wake up the legs and clear the legs out. Do NOT go above FTP.

5 minutes at threshold to wake up the legs and clear the legs out. Do NOT go above FTP.

5
min
RestRest
50% FTP (easy spin)

Easy spinning. The recovery matters — go too hard and the test is over before it begins.

Easy spinning. The recovery matters — go too hard and the test is over before it begins.

20
min
20-min Test20-min TestMAX EFFORT
Best sustainable effort

20 minutes as hard as you can sustain. Pace yourself — 5-10s slower per km than your TT pace. Avg power × 0.95 = your new FTP.

20 minutes as hard as you can sustain. Pace yourself — 5-10s slower per km than your TT pace. Avg power × 0.95 = your new FTP.

10
min
CooldownCooldownEnd
40 → 50% FTP

Progressive cooldown. Helps clear lactate. Eat + drink within 30 min.

Progressive cooldown. Helps clear lactate. Eat + drink within 30 min.

FTP Calculation

JoyTrain auto-calculates your new FTP from the 20-min test segment. We surface three formulas so you can sanity-check the result.

Standard 20-min × 0.95

FTP = avg(20min test) × 0.95

The classic Coggan formula. Recognizes that 60 min is ~5% lower than 20 min.

The classic Coggan formula. Recognizes that 60 min is ~5% lower than 20 min.

Best 8 min of 20 min × 0.90

FTP = best(8min) × 0.90

When you fade badly in the second half of the test. The 8-min × 0.90 is a more honest reflection of LT2.

When you fade badly in the second half of the test. The 8-min × 0.90 is a more honest reflection of LT2.

Critical Power (CP)

CP = W′ / (t − W′CP) ... see CP plot

If you have 3-min and 12-min bests: CP ≈ (12min × 3min × (12 − 3)) / (12² − 3²). Use as a sanity-check.

If you have 3-min and 12-min bests: CP ≈ (12min × 3min × (12 − 3)) / (12² − 3²). Use as a sanity-check.

Pacing Tips

Common mistakes
  • • Going out too hard in the first 5 min — you'll blow up by minute 12.
  • • Skipping the rest between activation and test — too much residual fatigue.
  • • Not warming up enough — first 5 min of the test feels impossible.
  • • Doing the test in a fatigued state — wait 48-72h after a hard session.
Best practices
  • • Pick a flat indoor course (trainer) — outdoor tests need to be wind-free.
  • • Use a fan + cool room — heat degrades 20-min power by 5-10%.
  • • Eat 60-90g carbs in the 2h before. Sip water during the test.
  • • Repeat the test every 6-8 weeks to track FTP progression.

What happens after

JoyOne

FTP synced to your profile. Powers CTL/ATL/TSB calculations going forward.

JoyAnalyze

New FTP updates the power-zone labels in any future comparison.

JoyFit

Power zones across all workouts and dashboards recompute.

JoyTrain

Library workouts and your custom templates rebase to the new FTP.

Historical activities keep their original zone labels. Only future sessions use the new threshold.
Start the 20-min FTP Test

Requires: smart trainer or power meter. ERG mode recommended.