It’s Time to Take Your Peloton FTP Test: Matt Wilpers Just Took His

If you have been putting off your Peloton FTP test, Matt Wilpers just gave you the nudge you needed. The beloved Power Zone instructor posted an Instagram video of himself completing his own FTP ride this month, modeling exactly what he has been teaching his members to do. For those following his unofficial year-long Power Zone plan, the message was clear: March is retest month, and Matt made that point impossible to miss.

In the video, Wilpers kept it simple and motivating: “What’s up team? It is time you FTP test. The month of March. We’ve done some great base training through January and February. This month is all about getting your FTP test up-to-date so we get the most bang for our buck out of our Power Zone classes.”

Yes, you read that right. Matt Wilpers took a Matt Wilpers FTP test on the Peloton platform. The man who built the Power Zone program strapped in, dug deep , and came out the other side to let us all know it hurt him too. For the record, his result came in at 265 watts. If that is not the most relatable and motivating thing you have seen all week, here we are.

Who Is Matt Wilpers?

Matt Wilpers is Peloton’s original Power Zone instructor and the closest thing the platform has to an in-house performance coach. A former Division I collegiate runner, age-group triathlon champion, and self-described data enthusiast, Wilpers built the Power Zone program from the ground up. He brings a structured, science-backed approach to every ride, and his passion for helping riders train smarter is what makes his classes so effective. When Matt Wilpers tells you it is time to take your Peloton FTP test, you listen.

What Matt’s Year-Long Power Zone Plan Looks Like

Matt Wilpers has been guiding members through an unofficial, DIY year-long Power Zone plan for 2026, communicating the schedule primarily through his Saturday classes. The plan does not live in the official Peloton app as a formal program, but for members who have been paying attention, the roadmap has been consistent. January and February were dedicated to base training. March is FTP retest month, and Matt has been reinforcing that message in class regularly. That he took the test himself, on video, while coaching viewers through it in real time is entirely consistent with the way he has always taught, treating his own training as the demonstration.

What Is a Peloton FTP Test and Why Does It Matter?

The Peloton FTP test is not something most riders look forward to, but it is the foundation of everything Power Zone training is built on. Your Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is the highest power output you can sustain for roughly one hour. On the Peloton platform, the test is a focused 20-minute all-out effort, and the number you generate becomes the basis for your seven personalized training zones.

Without an accurate FTP, those zones are off, and every workout built around them will be off too. You could be riding too easy and leaving progress on the table, or pushing too hard and burning yourself out before the real gains kick in. Peloton recommends retesting every six to eight weeks for members who are training consistently. For those on Matt’s year-long plan, retesting in March means entering the spring training block with fresh, accurate zones in place.

If you are heading into your first Peloton FTP test, we have a full breakdown of what to know before you take it, along with a guide to calculating your functional threshold power.

Why You Should FTP Test This Month

Wilpers was clear in his message: the Peloton community has been putting in serious base work through January and February. March is the moment to find out what that training has built. Members who follow Peloton’s formal programs have structured options through the app. Matt’s approach offers something different: a year-long arc of training that responds to the calendar, to seasonal shifts in fitness, and to what he observes in the Power Zone community.

Wilpers put it perfectly in his Instagram caption: “While you don’t have to dig as deep as I did, this test is a great way to personalize your training so that you not only measure your progress but also achieve better results. Ideally you want your FTP to be reflective of your current fitness levels. Let’s get these FTPs updated and I look forward to seeing you on the Peloton bike!!”

How to Take the FTP Test

To take your Peloton FTP test, head to the Ride Type filter on your Peloton Bike and select “Specialized.” From there, find Matt Wilpers’ 20-Minute FTP Test Ride. For best results, pair it with his FTP Warm-Up Ride beforehand to get your legs ready and your pacing dialed in.

If you want more context before you commit, our deep dive on Power Zone training and FTP testing is worth a read before you clip in.

Matt has been making the call in his Saturday classes all month. March will not last forever. Show up, give it your best effort, and walk away with a number that actually reflects who you are as a rider right now. Your new zones are waiting!

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