Anaerobic Power Wingate Calculator
The Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) measures anaerobic power by having the participant sprint maximally on a cycle ergometer for 30 seconds against a fixed resistance. Peak power (the highest power in the first 5 seconds) and mean power (the average over 30 seconds) are the primary outputs. Enter the peak 5-second revolution count, total 30-second revolution count, force setting, and body mass to compute peak power, mean power, fatigue index, and relative power per kilogram.
Wingate power formulas (Monark ergometer, flywheel circumference 6.12 m)
Peak Power (W) = (peak 5-sec rev / 5) x force (kp) x 9.807 x 6.12
Mean Power (W) = (total 30-sec rev / 30) x force (kp) x 9.807 x 6.12
Minimum Power (W) = (min 5-sec rev / 5) x force x 9.807 x 6.12
Fatigue Index (%) = ((Peak Power - Min Power) / Peak Power) x 100
The factor 6.12 m is the flywheel circumference for a standard Monark 814E ergometer. Bar-Or O (1987) The Wingate Anaerobic Test: An update on methodology, reliability and validity. Sports Medicine 4(6):381-394.
Anaerobic power Wingate calculator: frequently asked questions
What is the Wingate Anaerobic Test?
The Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is a 30-second maximal sprint on a cycle ergometer against a fixed resistance proportional to body weight (typically 0.075 kg per kg of body weight for adults). It was developed at the Wingate Institute in Israel by Bar-Or and colleagues in the 1970s. The test measures peak power (highest power output, typically in the first 5 seconds) and mean power (average over 30 seconds), both reflecting the glycolytic and phosphocreatine energy systems.
How is peak power calculated from Wingate results?
Peak Power (W) = peak pedaling rate (revolutions in best 5-second interval x 2) x force setting (kg) x 9.81 (m/s2) x flywheel circumference (6.12 m for Monark 814). Simplified: Peak Power (W) = (peak revolutions per second) x force (kg) x 9.81 x flywheel factor. The commonly used simplified formula: PP = (peak 5-sec revolutions / 5) x distance per revolution x force x 9.81.
What are the Bar-Or formulas for Wingate power?
Bar-Or (1987) provided body-mass-based estimates of expected Wingate power: Peak Power (W/kg) = 9.93 for untrained adult men, approximately 7.5 for untrained adult women. Absolute Peak Power (W) = force setting (kp or kg) x peak 5-second pedal speed. Mean Power (W) = total revolutions in 30 s x force setting x 9.81 x flywheel circumference / 30. Reference norms are published in the ACSM Resource Manual.
What is the fatigue index in the Wingate test?
The Wingate Fatigue Index (FI) measures the rate of power decline during the 30-second test: FI (%) = ((Peak Power - Minimum Power) / Peak Power) x 100. A high fatigue index (above 40-50%) indicates low anaerobic endurance and high reliance on the phosphocreatine system. A low fatigue index suggests better anaerobic endurance. Highly trained sprint athletes typically have a high peak power but can also have a relatively high fatigue index.
What is a good Wingate peak power output?
According to ACSM norms, absolute peak power for untrained adult men aged 18-30 is approximately 600-900 W; relative peak power is approximately 9-12 W/kg. For untrained adult women, absolute peak power is approximately 400-600 W; relative is approximately 8-10 W/kg. Elite sprinters and track cyclists may achieve peak power above 1,500 W (20-25 W/kg relative). Values depend heavily on training status, sex, and age.
Official sources
- Bar-Or O. The Wingate anaerobic test: An update on methodology, reliability and validity. Sports Med. 1987;4(6):381-394. Available via PubMed 3324256.
- American College of Sports Medicine: ACSM Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.