Originally Posted by
adamrice
3. There's a sort of chicken-and-egg problem here. I could subjectively say "this workout seems easier than last time," but I feel like a big reason for regular FTP tests is to quantify that and remove the guesswork.
I think that's the problem with FTP tests and training to FTP tests, in general. You have a bad day on the test, then what? You keep doing what you're doing? You have a chainless day on the test, then what? You have numbers you can't recreate on a daily basis? You put in big blocks of training and get fitter but the test number only shows a 2-3 watt gain, then what? It can be very circular.
I feel like it's a lot better to shoot for power targets in workouts and adjust accordingly. On good days, I've hit 15-20w over target. On bad days, I'll be 10-15 below or simply bail on the workout depending on the purpose of the workout.
I can't remember ever doing exactly the same workout twice (but I don't do workouts indoors, either, so I can see that being a factor). Even then, variability is the key to adaptation, and extension of work is one of the top workout goals in elite level coaching repertoires.