Review: Annette Fiscelli Tests My Lactate Threshold

So how many cyclists out there know the exact measurement of their lactate threshold? Can they tell you what it is in watts, or are they limited to a heart rate measurement?

I am sure that the answer is relative few; and, if they do have some idea of their threshold, they probably determined it by an imprecise method, e.g., Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), or something simple like: “my coach told me to go out and ride as hard as I could for 30 minutes and look at my average heart rate when I was done.”

But if you train by yourself a lot and want to be precise, you need to have a proper test.

One of the perks of being a rider on Team Get A Grip Cycles is the access that we have to Emily and Annette, the two personal trainers who work out of the Fulton Fit and Strengthening Studio. They love to train and know more about physiology than any other coach or trainer that I have met (Let’s face it. Most of the coaches who advertise their services are just racers who took a weekend seminar with USCF or USAT).

Emily and Annette stand out because of their education. They can do things that your average trainer can’t do. For instance, I just started working with Emily to alleviate some serious lower body imbalances that have affected my cycling performance for the last two years.

Until 6 months ago, I had been limping through my training using a threshold measurement not much more precise than those mentioned above. It was adequate, but I always had this lingering doubt that I was doing my LT threshold intervals a little below where I wanted to be. So, when Annette offered to give me the real test, I jumped at the opportunity.

The test was performed on a Cyclops stationary bike, with a watt meter, a heart rate monitor, and a cool machine that analyzed my blood. It is not overly strenuous (don’t confuse it with a VO2 max test), but it does require some planning ahead. It is not a good idea to train hard the day beforehand.

During the test I had to pedal at a certain wattage while Annette pricked my finger and took careful measurements of my blood lactate and heart rate. Every 2 minutes, I was told to raise the wattage slightly, and Annette re-pricked my finger and took the same measurements again.

She entered the data into a computer and then produced a graph with a gradual curve. Towards the end, the curve took a radical upturn, and the heart rate and wattage associated with that upturn gave me my lactate threshold measurements.

I do most of my training solo and knowing my threshold will give me the peace of mind that I am hitting all of my workout markers. I am also excited to start using it as I try training with a power meter.

This test is available to anyone out there for a reasonable fee.