Elite Football Clubs

Wattbikes can today be found in more than 50 pro football clubs in the UK including every single Premier League team, and in many top clubs globally such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Wattbike powering performance under pressure

Wattbike and football seem to be the perfect match. From supporting international teams to rehabbing Premier League players, the Wattbike can do it all. Wattbikes can today be found in more than 50 pro football clubs in the UK including every single Premier League team, and in many top clubs globally such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Wattbike is also a member of the Football Medical and Performance Association, where we provide advice and articles discussing the growth of Wattbike in football, off-feet conditioning, and injury rehabilitation and prevention.

But where did this perfect relationship start, and how has it developed? It’s time to find out about Wattbike, football, and improving performance.

One of the first football teams to add the Wattbike into their training arsenal was Leicester City Football Club in 2012. Since then, the team has been using the bikes for power development and conditioning, and all their hard work finally paid off in 2016 when they made history by winning the Premier League.

Wattbike powering performance under pressure

For power development, the players perform intermittent supramaximal bursts with extended recovery periods on the bikes. This kind of training allows lower limb power to develop, whilst safely overloading the players with the air resistance and magnetic settings. Players also perform off-feet conditioning sessions on the bikes which focus on longer intervals targeting specific energy system development. The Wattbikes are also used for injury rehab and injury prevention, and have played a key role for conditioning international players who have returned late to the team during the pre-season.

Wattbikes have also become an essential piece of kit at Sheffield United, where the team use specific programmes for every player based on their fitness test results. This allows for measurable, repeatable training for the players, which provides lots of data to the coaches. The bikes are also favoured for off-feet conditioning sessions.

Individualising high-performance training

Both Leicester City and Sheffield United test their players on the Wattbikes to monitor performance. Players are put through the 6 second peak power test to get an individual benchmark for maximum power, maximum leg speed, and sustained power. Players are also put through the Submax ramp test to receive their estimated FTP and VO2 max score, as well as the UCI Power Profile Test. This test consists of two 6 second peak power tests, a 30 second sprint test, and a 4 minute aerobic test, and the results show individual benchmarks which are used to structure training sessions.

Wattbike is becoming the go-to indoor trainer for football teams around the world, because it can do it all. From testing, training, rehabbing, and injury prevention, to an overall improvement of the different energy systems. Resulting in the most important things football teams are after; improving performance, scoring more goals, and winning championships. Feeling inspired? Check out our free tests and training plans in the Wattbike Hub app to train like the elite.

Take the next step

Transform your gym or training facility. We have everything you need to take training to the next level, from the Wattbike Pro and Trainer, to our range of Training & Education Programmes, and Wattbike Zones tailored to your gym.

Contact our Commercial Sales team to find out more

Get in touch