Getting a coach is an expensive luxury that many cyclists neither have the money or the interest in, but a new App recently launched by well-known Irish cyclist Anthony Walsh is promising to deliver better results at a fraction of the cost.
By Brian Canty
A coaching App developed specifically for cyclists looks set to change the way training plans are administered.
PocketCoach, engineered by well-known Irish rider and coach Anthony Walsh, assesses one’s current ability using in-built algorithms and builds a plan around your lifestyle.
From the absolute beginner to the elite rider it has the unique feature of adapting the suggested training programme should the rider miss a session.
Taking into account fatigue, diet, sleep and other variables it uses all the information it gathers on one day to modify and adapt the next day’s session, based on these results.
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Walsh believes it will “change the way we think about conditioning athletes”.
“People lead busy lives, we’re not all pro athletes,” the Dubliner explains of the App’s genesis.
“Sometimes we need to skip a session or need the option of a shorter session.
“People needed a plan that could change with their circumstances and that’s what we’ve created,” he added.
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Aside from that, paying a coach for training programmes is not for everyone.
Some can’t afford it, more just won’t want to be nagged when the summit of their ambition is to complete their first 100k.
And with the huge spike in cycling membership over the last decade, helped in part by the Government's bike-to-work scheme, Walsh felt there was a yawning gap in the market for a readymade, easy-to-use, cheap App that coaches riders.
Taking metrics such as weight, age, the athlete’s goal, the App combines this with feedback/training data to give a personalised coaching plan.
It’s the first such App of its kind and former world track champion and ex-pro Martyn Irvine felt suitably compelled to get involved as part of the team.
“We’re looking to get people moving,” continued Walsh.
“The App can build a training plan for anyone, from the absolute beginner all the way up to professional level but I’m most excited about reaching people who previously haven’t had access to this level of training expertise.
“No longer will a cyclist have to go for a bike ride and wonder if what they are doing is helping them get closer to their goals.
“That’s the killer feature of the app and it’s something everyone who takes cycling and fitness seriously will want.”
PocketCoach is available as a free download in iTunes and Play Store.
You can also check it out on www.pocketcoachtraining.com
Here is a cool promo video of the App.
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