HOW IT WORKS
The reason why riders engage a coach has evolved over the last few years. It used to be because the intention was to race, meaning getting faster whilst acquiring the physiological, psychological, technical and tactical capacity to compete and win.
Whilst there are still plenty of aspiring racers of all ages out there, more and more riders are looking for the knowledge, guidance and accountability that comes with structured training to enhance their enjoyment of riding the bike. This often comes along with a need for advice on nutrition and strength training with the realisation that sustainable performance gains come as part of building lean muscle, retaining bone strength and maintaining metabolic health as we age.
Increasingly, there is an understanding of the important long term health benefits structured training on the bike brings. Not just for exhilaration of riding but also as an amazing tool to unlock fitness, manage weight and improve mental health as we age. Sometimes training comes with a specific event or performance target (PBs, PRs etc) in mind, equally the development of meaningful goals to support adherence to training often becomes part of the coaching process to incorporate cycling into a lifestyle.
Clearly, the requirements of a young aspiring female racing cyclist are going to be different from those of an older man training to tackle a 100 mile sportive. However, both are going to need a well-considered, deliverable training plan to get their riding from where it is now, to where they want it to be. It matters not whether the goals are race winning or health and wellbeing focused, training needs to be rider centred and fit around work, study or retirement commitments whilst reacting to emerging training data.
In practice, the protocol for each individual training session is delivered via Training Peaks, a calendar based software platform. These can be downloaded directly to a smart trainer, delivered via an App such as Zwift or Trainer Road or used free form. Each session is tailored to the individual physiological and psychological needs of the rider to ensure training is progressive and sustainable. When completed, the sessions are analysed and feedback provided. This is done by an experienced coach, not AI.
Whilst a physiological training prescription is the core of a training program, there is much more to improving as a rider. One of the things that makes cycling such an engaging sport is that is has technical, tactical and psychological challenges most other sports don't have.
Whilst there are still plenty of aspiring racers of all ages out there, more and more riders are looking for the knowledge, guidance and accountability that comes with structured training to enhance their enjoyment of riding the bike. This often comes along with a need for advice on nutrition and strength training with the realisation that sustainable performance gains come as part of building lean muscle, retaining bone strength and maintaining metabolic health as we age.
Increasingly, there is an understanding of the important long term health benefits structured training on the bike brings. Not just for exhilaration of riding but also as an amazing tool to unlock fitness, manage weight and improve mental health as we age. Sometimes training comes with a specific event or performance target (PBs, PRs etc) in mind, equally the development of meaningful goals to support adherence to training often becomes part of the coaching process to incorporate cycling into a lifestyle.
Clearly, the requirements of a young aspiring female racing cyclist are going to be different from those of an older man training to tackle a 100 mile sportive. However, both are going to need a well-considered, deliverable training plan to get their riding from where it is now, to where they want it to be. It matters not whether the goals are race winning or health and wellbeing focused, training needs to be rider centred and fit around work, study or retirement commitments whilst reacting to emerging training data.
In practice, the protocol for each individual training session is delivered via Training Peaks, a calendar based software platform. These can be downloaded directly to a smart trainer, delivered via an App such as Zwift or Trainer Road or used free form. Each session is tailored to the individual physiological and psychological needs of the rider to ensure training is progressive and sustainable. When completed, the sessions are analysed and feedback provided. This is done by an experienced coach, not AI.
Whilst a physiological training prescription is the core of a training program, there is much more to improving as a rider. One of the things that makes cycling such an engaging sport is that is has technical, tactical and psychological challenges most other sports don't have.
WHAT IT COSTS
I charge £120 per month for a one to one coaching service. I don't charge a set up fee, extra for benchmark testing or expect you to enter into a long term contract. I work month to month and, if you don't like it or it doesn't work for you, we stop. Simple. If you want to try before you buy, I'll happily prescribe 2 weeks worth of training so you can get a taste for it at no cost and with no obligation.
Training Peaks is a free for riders to use unless you choose to upgrade to a premium package - I get all the analytics from the TP Coaching package so there's it no need for you to pay for it too. I'm your coach so, within reason, you can contact me when and how you want, you're not limited to 15 minute phone calls or a certain number of emails . You won't get palmed off to somebody else, you'll get me. I'm qualified, insured, experienced and effective - have a look at the testimonials.
For one to one coaching to have an impact, you'll need a minimum of 5 hours per week to invest in to training. The more time you have, the more we can do. You will also need the resolve to stick to a training regime and to develop a relationship with me that will allow us to adapt it as we go along to cope with real life getting in the way of your training.
You will need a power meter and a heart rate monitor. Using power measurement in training is the best way to achieve sustainable performance improvements, it's even more effective used in conjunction with heart rate monitoring. Some training is done indoors, particularly over the winter period, so you'll need a turbo trainer and/or rollers. You do not need a smart trainer, but it helps.
Training Peaks is a free for riders to use unless you choose to upgrade to a premium package - I get all the analytics from the TP Coaching package so there's it no need for you to pay for it too. I'm your coach so, within reason, you can contact me when and how you want, you're not limited to 15 minute phone calls or a certain number of emails . You won't get palmed off to somebody else, you'll get me. I'm qualified, insured, experienced and effective - have a look at the testimonials.
For one to one coaching to have an impact, you'll need a minimum of 5 hours per week to invest in to training. The more time you have, the more we can do. You will also need the resolve to stick to a training regime and to develop a relationship with me that will allow us to adapt it as we go along to cope with real life getting in the way of your training.
You will need a power meter and a heart rate monitor. Using power measurement in training is the best way to achieve sustainable performance improvements, it's even more effective used in conjunction with heart rate monitoring. Some training is done indoors, particularly over the winter period, so you'll need a turbo trainer and/or rollers. You do not need a smart trainer, but it helps.
