The Knowledge by Wahoo

Of course, you'd rather train inside when it's cold outside (right?), but sometimes you can't avoid it. Jeff and Jinger explain the physiological effects of training in the cold and share their top tips for training when the temperature drops. From cold habituation to keeping warm and staying properly fuelled, you'll get the Knowledge you need for effective cold-weather rides. **Learn more:** http...

Want to improve your FTP? Then you better start focusing on your MAP (Maximal Aerobic Power). After exploring the science of MAP, including why you ought to choose your parents well, Neal and Mac explain why this aspect of your 4DP delivers such fantastic rewards when you work on developing it. To help you get started on that, they also share some of their favorite SYSTM workouts for building MAP....

If you’ve done the 1-minute test at the end of our 4DP fitness test, Full Frontal, you know what digging deep into your Anaerobic Capacity feels like. And you can think of your Anaerobic Capacity — your ability to attack, surge, close gaps…and do those things over and over — like a battery. The bigger it is, and the faster you can recharge it, the faster and more powerful you will be. Neal and Mac...

Most cyclists think Neuromuscular Power is only relevant for sprinters. But in this episode, Neal and Mac break down the myths around NM, examine why neuromuscular coordination drives your efficiency at all effort levels, and explain how sprint training, cadence builds and other drills will make you both a faster and more complete athlete.   **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitness.com/blog/best-n...

The world of supplements is full of amazing - and dubious - claims. And in this episode, Neal and Jinger look at some popular supplements which haven't been proven by science to actually work. From HMB to Ketones to CBD to fish oil and more, they give you the knowledge you need to make better decisions about what you put in your body. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitness.com/blog/best-nutritio...

In the third of our four-part legal supplement series, Jeff and Jinger discuss the proven science behind Caffeine. You’ll learn what it does to you, how much you might want to take, how long the potential benefits last, and what to watch out for. And did you know it might help you burn fat more efficiently? All that and more in this episode of The Knowledge. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitnes...

The world of supplements is full of amazing - and dubious - claims. It can all be pretty confusing. So in this first of our four-part series, Mac and Jinger discuss the proven science behind Nitrate and Sodium Bicarbonate. You’ll learn what they’re good for, how and why to use them, and who can expect the most benefit from them. Oh — and why you might not want to use mouthwash before drinking that...

The world of supplements is full of amazing - and dubious - claims. It can all be pretty confusing. So in this second of our four-part series, Mac and Jinger discuss the proven science behind Creatine and Beta-Alanine. You’ll learn what they’re good for, how and why to use them, and who can expect the most benefit from them. Oh — and if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you should pay particular attenti...

Whether it’s the world championships or your local village time trial, it’s perfectly normal to be anxious before a big event. But can you use that to your advantage? Neal and Mac examine the physiological and psychological factors that make you feel nervous when you have to perform. With that understanding, they then go through a series of specific techniques you can use to help you manage and ch...

Jeff and Dr. J are back again with some fun facts about knee health. They will discuss in this episode the three primary things that they want you to walk away with. #1 an understanding of the knee anatomy, and biomechanics. #2 the importance of setting your bike up correctly. And #3 cycling techniques as well as strength exercises that you can do without any equipment to maintain knee health, imp...

No matter who you are, you can climb more quickly. In this episode, Neal and Jeff look at the physiological demands of climbing and why it’s about a lot more than a steady state effort. After discussing broad workout types to get you up hills faster, they recommend specific SYSTM workouts based on the types of climbs you’re targeting. They also look at how to use virtual climbs on RGT to experimen...

Mac and Jeff look at how breathing works, why kids and animals are the only ones who really breathe properly, and why you’re probably not breathing as efficiently as you could be. After taking you through a breathing exercise to help you get a better sense of how you breathe, they share some thoughts and tools that can help you improve your breathing efficiency. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofi...

We asked you what questions you had for our Sports Science team and you sent them in by the truckload. So Neal and Mac picked out some of their favorites, sat down, and share the Knowledge you need to make the best decisions about your training. Whether to pick a three/one or two/one training plan structure How to get back into a training plan when you’ve missed a week or more Whether the sport yo...

It’s not easy to be at your best when temperatures are high. Mac and Jinger share some of their favorite strategies to prepare for, perform in and recover from those extremely hot days. Whether it's heat acclimatization training or why you should stuff an ice sock under your jersey, you’ll learn the science behind the techniques and which might be best for you. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofit...

In this special episode, Neal and Jeff talk to Adrian and Hubert from the Adrien Niyonshuti Cycling Academy which is driving for more inclusivity in cycling and creating new opportunities for African-band riders. Together they explore the challenges facing these athletes, how technology is helping them close the gap to traditional cycling nations, the pathways they're creating for young athletes,...

As endurance athletes, we're used to monitoring our heart rate while we're working out. But our heart rate at rest - and the variability between beats - can tell us a lot about how well that training is working. Mac and Ginger go deep into the science so you know what to pay attention to and why, when you're ready for more work and when it's time to back off. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitne...

There’s more to winning field sprints than having incredible peak power numbers. Neal and Jeff break down the skills, power, and speed to be a great sprinter, from understanding the demands of the course, positioning in the pack, how to ride climbs and descents, managing your team’s effort and why five-minute power (MAP) matters so much to get into the best position for victory.   Open The Road  b...

The way the pros race up mountains is quite dramatic — and specific to race situations. Neal and Mac explain the tactics of climbing in professional racing while offering their top tips to get you to the top of your local climb faster than ever before. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitness.com/blog/ask-experts-hill-climbing-101/ **Try the SYSTM Training App free for 14 days.** https://www.wahoo...

With the women's Tour de France quickly approaching, Neal, and Jinger take a look at the history of women's cycling, the myths which kept women from competition, the struggle for equality, and, finally, why they're so excited about the future of the sport. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitness.com/blog/debunking-training-menstrual-cycle/ **Try the SYSTM Training App free for 14 days.** https://...

90 hours at over 40kph. Decreases in bone density.  Dynamic calculations on time cuts. Dramatic maximum heart rate drops. More than 5,000 calories a day. Completing a Grand Tour is tough and our sports science team of Neal Henderson and Mac Cassin dive deep into the details -- interrupted only by a few colorful stories -- to help you understand what it really takes. **Learn more:** https://www.wah...

One of the best ways to get better on the bike is to get off the bike. And while cross-training is expected in the off-season, we tend to drop it once we can spend more time outside on our bikes. Wahoo Sports Scientists Mac and Jeff discuss why you should keep cross-training year-round, examining the apparent benefits of doing so but also helping you identify the best activities for you, whether r...

Intermittent Fasting has become one of the most popular nutrition topics in endurance sports over the last few years. Our Sports Science team dives deep into the research to find out what works, what doesn’t, and what questions you should answer before determining whether to incorporate fasting into your training. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitness.com/blog/ask-experts-understanding-calories...

Do you know how to fix a chain? Have you practiced sealing that tubeless puncture? What about route reconnaissance? Having a fun, and successful, gravel event isn’t just about being fit - you also need to be prepared in several other areas you might not have thought about. So, in this episode, Coaches Neal and Jeff share their top gravel tips to make sure you cross the line with a smile on your fa...

Things change as we age, this much is clear. But what’s less clear is exactly what is changing, how fast those changes happen, and what can be done about it all. Wahoo Sports Scientists Neal Henderson and Dr. Jinger Gottschall bring out the science to examine what happens to male and female athletes as they age. What they find might surprise you - and even break some new ground in what we understa...

What can you learn from beer, chicken wings, and a team of ice hockey players? Find out in this episode full of entertaining stories where Sports Scientists Neal Henderson and Mac Cassin examine the basics of hydration - what it is, why it matters, the mistakes to avoid, and how to drink smarter to get the most out of it yourself. **Learn more:** https://www.wahoofitness.com/blog/how-to-minimize-c...