What is a power curve?

What is a power curve? You can view your power curve via training software such as TrainingPeaks or Strava if you use a power meter. In this power curve, your best power values ​​will be displayed for different periods.

On the left side of the graph you will find your maximum sprint values. The wattages on the right side will be lower because this is where your endurance power is shown. The steeper your power curve slopes, the better you are at short efforts compared to longer efforts. This way you can estimate whether you are a sprinter or a climber/time trialist.

To see your improvements, you can often change the period from which the maximum values ​​are displayed in Strava or other software. For example, you can compare last year with the current year for all time intervals. This gives you even better insight into which efforts you have improved or regressed. With a normal FTP test, you only compare your maximum 20-minute power. Training with power: Performing an FTP test

Your power curve is therefore one of the most useful and interesting insights a power meter can provide. Your progress or decline can be seen by comparing different periods with each other. It is also possible to derive the type of rider you are, according to your wattages, from the graph.