<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--
  High Torque Training — Zwift workout
  Last updated: 2026-05-14

  Site:      https://high-torque.jelen.dk/
  Calendar:  https://high-torque.jelen.dk/content/workouts.md
  Rationale: https://high-torque.jelen.dk/content/rationale.md
  LLMs:      https://high-torque.jelen.dk/llms.txt
-->
<workout_file>
    <author>Tom Jelen</author>
    <name>Entry 4x4</name>
    <activitySaveName>High Torque: Entry 4×4 min 80–85% FTP @ 50–60 rpm</activitySaveName>
    <description>Entry-level torque session based on Neal Henderson's recommendation for athletes starting low-cadence work. Four 4-minute intervals at 80-85% FTP and 50-60 rpm, with 4-minute recovery between each. Tempo intensity — enough torque to drive adaptation, without the joint stress of threshold or VO2max work. Seated throughout.</description>
    <sportType>bike</sportType>
    <tags />
    <workout>
        <Warmup Duration="900" PowerLow="0.40" PowerHigh="0.80">
            <textevent timeoffset="30" duration="30" message="Source: Neal Henderson (Apex Coaching). For athletes starting torque work, Henderson recommends 3-5 min efforts at 75-85% of threshold, 50-60 rpm." />
            <textevent timeoffset="90" duration="20" message="Session logger and full workout calendar at high-torque.jelen.dk" />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="25" message="This is your entry into ongoing torque training. The intensity is tempo — it should feel like work in the legs, not the lungs." />
            <textevent timeoffset="240" duration="25" message="Henderson coaches Rohan Dennis and Taylor Phinney. He stresses that musculoskeletal load is the main limiter in torque work — not cardiovascular fitness." />
            <textevent timeoffset="420" duration="25" message="All intervals are SEATED. Standing lets you use body weight on the pedals, bypassing the forced muscular contraction that makes this training work." />
            <textevent timeoffset="600" duration="25" message="Target cadence: 50-60 rpm. In ERG mode, just drop to this cadence — the trainer adjusts resistance to match 80-85% FTP automatically." />
            <textevent timeoffset="780" duration="20" message="If your knees ache at any point during an interval, stop the interval. Don't push through knee discomfort." />
        </Warmup>

        <SteadyState Duration="240" Power="0.80" Cadence="55">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Interval 1. 80-85% FTP, 50-60 rpm. STAY SEATED." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" message="Halfway." />
            <textevent timeoffset="210" message="30 seconds left in this interval." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="240" Power="0.50">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Recovery. Spin easy at whatever cadence feels natural." />
            <textevent timeoffset="60" duration="20" message="At this cadence, each pedal stroke produces roughly 60% more force than at 90 rpm. That's the training signal." />
            <textevent timeoffset="160" duration="30" message="Henderson: 'the first thing I would do is a little bit of tempo — three to five minute efforts at 75 to 85% of threshold power at 50 to 60 rpm.'" />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="240" Power="0.80" Cadence="55">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Interval 2. 80-85% FTP, 50-60 rpm. STAY SEATED." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" message="Halfway. Smooth pedal strokes." />
            <textevent timeoffset="210" message="30 seconds left in this interval." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="240" Power="0.50">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Recovery. Spin freely." />
            <textevent timeoffset="160" message="Two down, two to go. Knees still tracking well?" />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="240" Power="0.80" Cadence="55">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Interval 3. 80-85% FTP, 50-60 rpm. STAY SEATED." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" message="Halfway. This is where the adaptation happens." />
            <textevent timeoffset="210" message="30 seconds left in this interval." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="240" Power="0.50">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Recovery. Three down, one to go." />
            <textevent timeoffset="160" duration="20" message="If your knees are aching, skip the final interval. Protecting the joints is always the right call on torque work." />
        </SteadyState>

        <SteadyState Duration="240" Power="0.80" Cadence="55">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Final interval. 80-85% FTP, 50-60 rpm. STAY SEATED." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="20" message="Halfway. Last effort. Keep the cadence low and the pedal stroke smooth." />
            <textevent timeoffset="210" message="30 seconds. Finish it." />
        </SteadyState>

        <Cooldown Duration="600" PowerLow="0.50" PowerHigh="0.40">
            <textevent timeoffset="30" message="Cool down. Spin easy at normal cadence." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="20" message="Note how your knees feel. Any ache or tightness? If yes, skip the next torque session and monitor." />
            <textevent timeoffset="300" duration="25" message="Henderson and EVOQ both recommend 1-2 torque sessions per week max. Never on back-to-back days. The joints need recovery time." />
        </Cooldown>
    </workout>
</workout_file>
