I haven’t seen anyone mention this recent release, but there seem to be some FC users around so I was wondering if any of you have tried it yet?
c’mon they need a cuter mascot than that.
This is what Copilot whipped up. I like it!
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I have been thinking the same thing. Kind of surprised nobody is talking about this on here…
I have been using the optimize app for about 6 months and am now using CoachCat. Honestly, it’s awesome.
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Unless it is gorillas lifting weights I want no part in it! 
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Free month there now too.
I think it has been interesting that FASCAT and trainer road are kind of releasing the same concepts at about the same time. Fascat is a little quicker to the draw, but probably not quite as polished. It’s going to come down to who’s training plans and general philosophy you like more.
I like the FASCAT has strength plans, all types of discipline plans, and meal plans. I also like that weekend rides are a little more “just go ride your bike” and less based on intervals. However, they’re kind of intended to be done outside or you probably have to get Zwift also.
Trainerroad has the edge in terms of controlling your indoor workouts and is definitely lower cost.
So is their “AI” ftp detection just based on your best 20 effort (x power) from a ride? If so, that aint AI.
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Seven years of AI-ftp detection 
Being 100% serious except for the “AI-” part.
Coach Cat looks really interesting. The app’s ride analysis looks interesting. Thing I like about FasCat plans is that group rides are built into plans. Four years I got faster following their plans, hired a FC coach and got faster again. I’m going back to basics for most of this year, will pick up FasCat subscription later this year.
I used their plans for a couple years and i once thought they were good, but now I cant say i like their plans, seem like they do too much intensity to me. Their BWR plans are a bit nuts, and their recovery weeks have intervals mid week?like 2 or 3 days into the the rest week… no thanks, my body needs to recover and rebuild, not to mention a mental break. But i they work for you, keep at it, i just think there are better plans out there
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Are you going to sign up with a coach or just the app for the generic plans?
Had a FasCat coach for 3 years, he was awesome and heavily customized my plan. Just interested in the app at the moment.
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So what exactly is AI coaching? So you get coached by a bot?
As for the “human” coaching… The starter cost of $99 plus the cost of the lowest tier plan ($179 from a quick glance) is crazy to me. No adjustments to you plan, one phone call a month.
I knew people who paid for coaching that met in person with a training group. Maybe someone who does this can explain the benefit to me… because I just don’t get it.
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Has anybody tried the AI app yet? Any reviews or feedback?
I’m not sure about the app, but their AI podcast was horrible to try to listen to.
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Apparently you can do a 1 month free trial without entering any payment details so you can give it a go at no risk.
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I subscribed to see what the AI thing was like, whilst following CTS plans. To get the full benefit you’d need to be following their plans in the app also.
It basically looks over your workout and says well done and makes a few suggestions, very easy to interact with and talk to.
It also checks in on your hrv and sleep and makes suggestions.
I think it’s too expensive for what it offers me. I really dont need to pay an app to tell me I didnt sleep well and the following days intervals should change. I do that myself for free.
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I just signed up to try the AI coach… it said unavailable, and I still don’t see the flexibility to add/delete workouts at will like TR which is something I value as a full time employed father of 3. I can adjust my weekly plan from my phone at any time. I don’t see the functionality with CoachCat.
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From following Frank Overton on Strava, I believe you “talk” (type) to CoachCat and tell what you want to do. You can ask for help inside the app, and a real person (FasCat coach) will answer.
Example from Frank’s Strava:
another one:
and another:
His Strava feed:
There are both, actually. The app has been growing pretty well, even if it still has a ways to go. You can chat with a human by clicking on the chat icon in the navigation bar across the top, or with the AI Coach by clicking anywhere it’s responded.
I got it at the Black Friday price last year, having been tinkering with it, and may give it a try for this winter if my schedule can’t handle Cusick’s BaseCamp. They’ve got a 30 week Off-season training plan that may be a good template to build off, since I want to focus more on weight training this fall. 
Basically, I think the ideal workflow would be something like pick a training plan, update the Ai with ride feedback, then it’ll offer to change existing workouts if necessary. Over the past few months, the AI has gotten much more robust in terms of making feedback actually actionable, so it does have the power to make real changes…
I’ve currently got the Gran Fondo plan loaded (though I literally haven’t done a single planned FasCat workout). I just checked in with it, and here are the responses it gave me:
It’s not there yet, but it does have some real potential. Frank mentioned FasCat (along with TR) will be in the first batch of Zwift integrations with their new training API, so it’s following in the trend of apps trying their own hand at analytics and moving away from relying on TrainingPeaks for integration and analytics.
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For comparison, I asked Copilot the same question about BWR NC and this is what I got:
Certainly! The Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina (BWR:NC) is a challenging gravel race, and it’s great that you’re participating. Here are some recommendations to help you prepare between now and race day:
- Rest and Recovery:
- Prioritize sleep and rest. Since you mentioned not sleeping well last night, focus on getting quality sleep tonight.
- Consider light stretching or yoga to relax your muscles and improve circulation.
- Nutrition and Hydration:
- Stay well-hydrated throughout the day. Proper hydration is crucial for performance.
- Consume balanced meals with a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
- Avoid any drastic changes in your diet right before the race.
- Taper Your Training:
- You’re close to race day, so reduce your training volume. A short, easy ride today can help keep your legs active without causing fatigue.
- Tomorrow, consider a light spin or a short ride to keep your muscles engaged.
- Course Familiarization:
- Review the BWR:NC course map and elevation profile. Identify key climbs, descents, and technical sections.
- Mentally prepare for challenging segments like Ondieptenberg, Waterscheiding, Toppunt, and Monteren1.
- Tire Pressure:
- Tire pressure can significantly impact your ride. Experiment with different pressures during your short rides to find the right balance between grip on gravel and efficiency on pavement.
- Consider starting with a slightly lower pressure than last year (e.g., 34-36 psi) and adjust based on your comfort and the terrain.
- Race-Day Strategy:
- Plan your nutrition and hydration during the race. Know where aid stations are located.
- Break down the race mentally into smaller segments. Focus on one climb or section at a time.
- Stay positive and remind yourself why you’re doing this—enjoy the experience!
Remember, motivation can fluctuate, especially during tapering. Trust your training and enjoy the ride. Good luck at BWR:NC!
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