Chronic Training Load 101: Top Experts Discuss the Pros & Cons of CTL

In this episode of the Fast Talk Podcast from Fast Talk Laboratories, we unpack one of the most popular—and often misunderstood—metrics in endurance training: 👉 Chronic Training Load (CTL). Used in platforms like TrainingPeaks, CTL has quickly become a go-to number for athletes trying to track fitness. But is it the new FTP? And more importantly—how reliable is it as a marker of performance and adaptation? In this deep-dive episode, we explain what CTL is, how it’s calculated, and why focusing too much on one number can backfire. While CTL can reveal trends and help guide planning, it has limitations—and the assumptions behind it aren’t always obvious. You’ll learn: ✅ How CTL is calculated from Training Stress Score (TSS) and daily load ✅ Why CTL can help guide long-term planning—but shouldn’t replace key training principles ✅ The dangers of chasing a high CTL without enough recovery or quality sessions ✅ How CTL compares to FTP and why they’re not interchangeable ✅ Why the best training programs are principle-based, not data-driven alone We’re joined by some of the most respected minds in sports science and coaching: 🎙️ Tim Cusick – TrainingPeaks WKO product leader and coaching expert 🎙️ Joe Friel – Author of The Cyclist’s Training Bible 🎙️ Dr. Stephen Seiler – Polarized training pioneer 🎙️ Dr. Iñigo San Millán – Performance physiologist at UAE Team Emirates 🎙️ Larry Warbasse – WorldTour pro cyclist 🎙️ Kendra Wenzel – Endurance coach and author 🎧 Whether you live by your CTL chart or have no idea what it means, this episode will help you better understand how to use data without being ruled by it. 👉 Subscribe for weekly science-based episodes on endurance training, performance, and recovery:   / @fasttalklabs