Originally Posted by
rubiksoval
I don't ever do ftp tests. Like, I've never done one. Ever. There's simply no need.
So my question would be, why do you think you need to do one? If you were to go do a workout, could you hit the numbers? If not, would you not just adjust the numbers downward for the next one?
I think there's an over-fascination with these "tests". Just go try a workout. See how you get on. Adjust appropriately. Especially if you're just starting structured training.
You should read a good book on why and how people use power meters to train.
I could write pages about why I wouldn't waste my time and effort training without the information provided by an FTP test. But the shortest short answer is a quote from Emil Faber: "Knowledge is good."
Training without objective data (from an FTP test) is training in ignorance. It's a shot in the dark. My time and effort is worth too much to just ride at random, hoping (or imagining) I'm doing some good.