Beyond FTP: Medical metrics for improving cycling and overall health

How can you improve as a cyclist? And how can you measure it? Functional threshold power (FTP) is a common metric; it's a good way to measure your output, set training zones and measure improvement. But what about measuring your body overall, looking at body composition, blood diagnostics, metabolic health and your overall potential? I visit my friend Dr Tim Erwin, PhD, at Virtus Health Solutions, his new performance medicine clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and he runs me through a gamut of tests. https://virtushealthnm.com/ -- Want to see what I'm testing now? Follow me on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/ben-delaney or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_delaney -- The Ride is supported in 2025 by: Castelli clothing: http://tinyurl.com/43k6pftp Perc coffee: https://tinyurl.com/fjr7nurr (save 15% with code 'ride15') Saris racks: https://saris.com/collections/racks# Silca maintenance: https://bit.ly/47xxvzj (save 10% with code 'theridewithben10') BikeTiresDirect: https://tinyurl.com/yc7vxujh (save 10% with code 'THERIDE') Shimano shoes & glasses: http://tinyurl.com/ye274tep Feedback Sports stands & tools: https://bit.ly/3S9Dq8r -- 0:00 testing overview 1:09 blood work, testosterone 7:07 Dr Doctor 7:34 DEXA body scan 12:12 metabolic tests 13:25 substrate utilization 15:30 how to improve efficiency 17:00 calculating zones vs measuring 18:16 VO2 Max & impact 20:18 Garmin guesstimates 23:37 what’s my zone 2? 26:44 how to do zone 2?