Another AI training app: Athletica.ai

Training
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For sure… we’re just winding up and we’ll announce when we’re ready (soon).

The ‘solve questions’ angle is spot on… that will be our aim.

Yep - we’re working on the promotion bit. Thanks for 2c.

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I don’t quite understand what the “product” is that Athletica.ai does for you. As mentioned above, your website could use some help in that area, including screenshots and more depth into the product. Does it provide simply written workouts? Or is there an app component that allows for indoor trainer or Garmin workout integration? Even a Zwift ZWO file output would be better than nothing.

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This is good feedback and always nice to get confirmation on a point so that its not just a one-off in terms of one person’s opinions. We’re going to reconsider how we can show more internal product features moving forward. Thanks for voicing!

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I did legitimately want an answer to those questions though. Lol.

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Wow… that bad?!? :slight_smile:

Yep - its a full AI-coach software solution. You’d find it very similar in function to TR but we have our own flavour. Detailed sessions, scientific explanation of why you should do what you should do, explanations of why the program has adapted and warnings when it looks like you’re going off the rails. We stick closer to our science roots and only use validated methods. Garmin push/pull. Zwift and TR export, etc. We also make it free for coaches to use. We have almost too many features and its hard to figure out which ones to highlight and how to keep it simple…

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Does Athletica pull in HRV or other metrics from Garmin wearables and use that to influence the adaptations?

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Not yet but we have many metrics (like HRV) in the development pipeline. Like any good coach recommends - foundations first.

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Sure, I just wasn’t sure as it seemed not when I looked at the app (just uses RPE rating after each session?) but on the website there is description of using wellbeing etc.

I can’t really see what the app does, or looks like.

I’ll be keen to follow along as you get further through development.

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Sorry, I know you’re trying! But yes, it’s that bad. Even with your answer here, it’s still not clear what it actually does. Similar in function to TrainerRoad… so there are mobile and desktop apps that allow you to “do” the workout in Erg-mode on a trainer? Or are you saying it’s similar to TrainerRoad in that you get a training plan with explanations and updates based on performance and life events? But the physical act of performing that workout still lies with a 3rd-party like Zwift, or a Garmin outside workout? What do you mean TR export? Like to import as a custom workout into the TR Workout Creator?

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This is awesome @jmvcolorado. We obviously have a long way to go.

  • We are an AI-coach for endurance athletes or an assistant coach for coaches
  • Plug in your event type (triathlon, cycling, running), date of the event, connect to Garmin or Strava, and you have an individualized session by session plan that adapts to you based on the recorded internal (HR, RPE, etc) and external (power, pace) load markers.
  • The interface is similar to Training Peaks in terms of how the sessions are described and laid out.
  • You ‘do’ the workout physically wherever you want (indoor, outdoor, TR, Zwift), but record it on Garmin or Strava so that it gets sent back to Athletica for analysis. Yes - physical act lies with 3rd party as you describe.
  • TR export: ERG or MRC files that relate to the session available for your use.

Please keep the feedback coming…

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@plaursen

If I could ask you, given that you coach people….what are the hard aspects of coaching that can’t be modeled and incorporated in an automated solution like Athletica?

By hard I mean things outside communication, compliance, motivation, psychology….I mean analysis of data and adaptation of program.

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Sure. Tricky one maybe to articulate. I just took on a new athlete yesterday so let me try to reflect on a comparison.
Context - experienced athlete 29 years of age at the top of the pile but looking for next level.
He has his general plan dialled having been in the game for a while. When you have experience like that, he knows enough when to dial it back or push through.
We are including things like altitude training blocks in different countries, and respiratory muscle training devices and how all of this moves around in the plan in relation to key events.
I also work hard to listen to the athlete and get inside their mind, challenge thinking, challenge training philosophy. A coach becomes heavily engaged in and part of guiding the process.
Ultimately in the end its a better appreciation for context over content. AI can do the general guide, give a good plan, the general tweak of the load (so its a perfect start program and its priced right), but it can’t yet help with context and behaviour that will see the athlete through difficult times or allow them to reach a certain level. The other thread going with the guy complaining about TR and why he’s leaving is a perfect example. That guy could use a good coach for a few months.

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Thanks a lot for your answer. Please let me know if you’d prefer me asking these questions in your forum. I’m very curious about your Ai programming, could you please explain how do the adaptations happen when I start following the plan and I impose my own preferences like:

  • Long Endurance rides 5-7h instead of the 2-4h prescribed.

  • Only 2 hard interval days.

  • 2-3h Additional endurance rides on interval days.

  • Occasional 20-25h weeks with less structure.

How does the system adapts to an athlete with this profile?

Thanks. Old

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This app sounds promising, I will sign up for the trail in the next days. I would be happy about some pictures / more insight on the home page itself.

I’m excited to try it out for a little longer if it appeals to me.

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Hi @Dougal.Doughnut. You are correct on that problem and the system does not yet have the mid week flexibility to be able to cater for a mid-week race without a bit of help from me. But this is on the roadmap. What would work is to chose a Saturday 7 race and we’d probably delete the Monday SE session and push a few other sessions back. I’d also tone down a few of the later week Taper 2 sessions. Ping me on Athletica if you’d like me to tailor this for you.

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Thanks @greenbike. Please reach out directly if I can be of any help to you. We are working on some better pictures and home page insight for you.
Best,
Paul

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We’re still refining the Forum so here is fine for now thanks @oldandfast.

  1. The AI takes note of the higher load and will diminish the load of subsequent sessions in line with our algorithms built to keep you healthy.
  2. Again, the 2 hard intervals is great - good practice - and the load is considered accordingly.
  3. Same, the endurance rides get taken into account instead of the HIIT sessions.
  4. Same again. The high volume weeks are absorbed by the system with load accounted for. Recommendations (and warnings) are made that you can always take or leave.
    Hope that helps. Feel free to reach out directly.
    Best,
    Paul
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I signed up and am quite stoked so far :smiley: some things I noted:

  • The design is a bit “busy”, not a problem for me, but may put some people off.
  • Some introductory explanations would be nice (like “if you change you a session, AI will recompute the plan”). It should answer basic questions like what will happen if I do something else than what is scheduled?
  • I expected the see a “subscription page” of some sort. Like “you are in trail subscription till blabla”. I am not sure where I can subscribe and enter my billing details at the moment. :slight_smile:
  • I have the same issue with “skipping the test week” (I just dislike test weeks). This is probably because it can’t derive a power profile.

Since my current plan is ending, I will give it a go for 1-2 months. Depends on how flexibel it is (I prefer long rides outside if the weather allows it) :slight_smile:

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Apologies for the 8 hour delay @Dougal.Doughnut. I am in BC Canada and I was sleeping :slight_smile:
We have forced ‘skip test week’ for you and I’ve provided a detailed response direct to you this morning. Please let me know if I can be of any further help.
All the best with your training,
Paul

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Thanks @greenbike !

  • We are hearing both you and @Dougal.Doughnut on the busy design. Our aim is to reduce and simplify. You are so right. Some people like the detail of the science but many don’t care. They want to trust that is taken care of. So our aim is to push into more of an accordion style. Get rid of the science but have the ability to click through to read the science for those that like the details and want an education.
  • For this second comment, I suppose you are talking more in the onboarding process? Or somewhere else? Like the first time you move or delete a session?
  • Under your Profile, you should find ‘Subscriptions and billing’
  • Yes - hearing this more and more now with experienced users coming to the platform and we will consider forcing the removal of test week for new users. Thank you for this feedback. Please reach out directly too me on Athletica if you’d like your test week removed.
  • I am a big fan of long rides for many reasons and agree you should do these if the weather permits. Fresh air, vitamin D and fat burning all go way further than our AI engines can currently predict. Athletica will take note of the load and load response for these rides and make its recommendations for subsequent sessions that you can take or leave accordingly.
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