Fartlek in Cycling: Everything you need to know

How can you apply Fartlek Training to Cycling? We tell you in detail everything you need to take into consideration to optimise your training.

Let’s remind ourselves what Fartlek is

As you may know, Fartlek training was designed by the Norwegian athlete and trainer Gösta Holmer in the 1930s.

Being extensive continuous endurance training, with a duration of more than 40 minutes, the frequency, amplitude and intensity are alternated, looking for continuous variations.

Unlike interval-type series training, there is no rest as such in this training.

As we pointed out in the previous article on this type of training, in Fartlek different distances are run at different paces within the same training session.

The terrain itself sometimes causes these changes (e.g. running in the countryside where the terrain is varied with uphill, downhill and flat terrain).

Now that we understand what this training modality consists of, let’s see how we can apply it to road cycling sessions:

What is Fartlek in cycling?

In the case of Fartlek training in cycling, a priori, we can say that, in most cases, it is the terrain that sets the pace – intensity.

As a result, most of the time we can say that within the same road bike training session we are constantly making changes of pace.

In cycling, the most commonly used training sessions (in addition to specific strength, interval or power training sessions) are long and continuous variable rides.

This type of session is characterised by a permanent change of intensity, within previously established limits.

Fartlek training and cycling

Along with Fartlek training, it’s the most commonly used variant in cycling, given that the very orography of the terrain, group work, etc., brings about continuous modifications of the intensity levels of the work:

The most suitable parameter to take as a reference to determine the intensity of training is the percentage of the functional power threshold for each subject, since speed (unless it’s on a roller or a velodrome or a stretch with no disturbances or wind), is highly conditioned by other factors.

The heart rate, in long continuous sessions, undergoes a slight increase over time simply due to the body keeping moving, blood circulation, heat dissipation…

In this way, Fartlek training can be determined in more detail for each change of pace-intensity.

Bike training to lose weight?

Recreational cycling, or indoor cycling sessions, can be part of a weight loss and body composition improvement programme, and it’s much easier and with less joint impact than starting to run without proper technique.

In addition, as the heart rate doesn’t rise as sharply when you start cycling, the perception of exertion for those starting a weight loss training programme is lower, resultantly meaning they can sustain the exercise for a longer period of time.

Why use fartlek?

Among the different types of training and stimuli, Fartlek-type training could be an excellent option for weight loss programmes as it is possible to carry out relatively long cardiovascular training sessions lasting 40-60 minutes, making it varied and fun for the athlete through different intervals and work intensities.

Training Tips

As with any other activity, in cycling, certain considerations need to be taken into account when training.

In the case of cyclists on long road rides, the nutritional plan and hydration are fundamental so that the body can function without losing effectiveness throughout the ride (3-5 hours).

It is therefore important to plan gel or energy bar use to provide the necessary energy supply to the body, as well as flasks with isotonic drinks to recover the minerals lost through sweating and breathing.

Warm Up!

The warm-up and warm-down are also fundamental, dedicating at least 15% of the total time of the session to them.

At this time, we’ll try to pedal very gently, at relatively fast cadences (80-100 bpm) and with very little development and/or resistance, so that breathing is natural and not forced.

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How to do changes of rhythm

As I’ve already indicated above, in the vast majority of cases, the terrain itself determines the changes in pace and intensity.

Let’s not forget that this type of endurance training has a duration of between 40 minutes and up to 5 hours for more experienced cyclists or those preparing for long endurance events.

So we can work in intervals with heart rate at between 120 – 180 bpm, (depending on each individual), or rather, in different training zones, thus also training the different metabolic pathways in the course of the session.

As I pointed out, one of the advantages of this type of training is that it provides variety and also presents different varieties:

Recovery

Fartlek-type training, unlike a series and/or interval training design, has no recovery between those intensity changes, hence it is included in the continuous resistance training models.

What’s important is post-training recovery.

This factor will determine whether the training is effective or not and that the necessary adaptations are produced, both in terms of general rest of the nervous system and nutrition.

Given that in this type of session different energy substrates are used, and the duration of the training session is usually several hours, you need to recover in the hours following the session.

A combination of both carbohydrates and protein to ensure substrate repletion and repair damaged muscle, such as Evorecovery from SportSeries.

What’s the training intensity?

The intensity of the training in this type of session can be established on the basis of several variables:

Currently, the most commonly used parameter, due it being fairly objective, is power, which is used to determine the different training zones based on the functional power threshold data.

Bibliographic References

1. Algarra, J.L, Gorrotxategi, A. (1996). Ciclismo Total. 2. El Rendimiento en el Ciclismo. Capacidades Entrenables. Gymnos Editorial.
2. Algarra, J.L, Gorrotxategi, A. (2021). El Entrenamiento en el Cic lismo de Ruta. Biocorp Editorial.
3. García Pallarés, J., & Morán Navarro, R. (2012). PROPUESTA METODOLÓGICA PARA EL ENTRENAMIENTO DE LA RESISTENCIA CARDIORRESPIRATORIA. Journal of Sport and Health Research, 119-136.

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