Coach copycat - ok or not so much?

[lechatnoir]

imagine getting a plan that was meant for someone that's getting ready for a stage race, and you're just coming off a major chest infection... or vice versa... not cool. a proper coach (read: 'coach') would account for this

[madbradd]

Do you think that's a constructive response? You might as well say "not to be punched in the face".

 

The question is, What WOULD you expect?

 

For R800 per month with an online coach I'd expect an hour of individual time per week.I would expect to use software such as Trainingpeaks to communicate with my (individual - tailored to my goals and event calendar) training plan with my coach, at R800 per month I'd expect to be on the coach's licence. But, I would expect my coach to monitor my progress on sessions and provide feedback on whether I achieved the session's goals or not, and for my training plan to be adapted appropriately.

 

For example If I hit good numbers on an interval session but then miss the next two sessions then I would expect the coach to tell me to chill a bit more on the next interval session so I get the full week's training in.

 

If I seem to be improving faster than expected, I expect to be asked to do another FTP test.

 

I expect to have a proper peaking period tailored to my goals and event calendar.

 

I also expect to be able to query anything with the coach, whether it be equipment or setup related, what sort of stretching I should be doing, in-race/training eating guide, weight maintenance etc.

 

What I don't expect:

An eating plan

A race/training nutrition plan

A complete bike-fit

Detailed analysis on every session (I do expect key factors to be looked at which are determined by the coach when they developed the session)

Personal contact with the coach (massage/mechanical services etc.)

 

Edit: Short Version: A training plan tailored to my goals and event calendar, weekly feedback on sessions, and adaptation of the trainingplan or adjustment of the goals as per my progression.

 

Note: I am currently using such a service since December last year, and in 1 year my FTP has gone from 280W to 351W (and my training has suffered loads of breaks due to various reasons). My riding partner who has been more consistent went from riding a 3:15ish 94.7 last year to riding VA and finishing with the VA group at Emperor's Palace. 

[HdB]

You can simulate hills by rising harder on the flats or by using an IDT. Where there is a will there is a way ????????

Absolutely, which is exactly what I use my IDT plus Virtual Training for, mostly.

I think it depends on how exactly it is sold, but I do feel that if I am paying a coach, even if it is just for training plans, they should at least check with me what I have available to me? Otherwise, like others have mentioned, I could just Google training plans.

 

Coach: do you have a 10 minute climb in your area? Me: no, but I can do those on my smart IDT.

 

Or, coach: do you have a 5 minute climb? Me: sure, here is the strava segment.

[BigDL]

For R800 per month with an online coach I'd expect an hour of individual time per week.I would expect to use software such as Trainingpeaks to communicate with my (individual - tailored to my goals and event calendar) training plan with my coach, at R800 per month I'd expect to be on the coach's licence. But, I would expect my coach to monitor my progress on sessions and provide feedback on whether I achieved the session's goals or not, and for my training plan to be adapted appropriately.

 

For example If I hit good numbers on an interval session but then miss the next two sessions then I would expect the coach to tell me to chill a bit more on the next interval session so I get the full week's training in.

 

If I seem to be improving faster than expected, I expect to be asked to do another FTP test.

 

I expect to have a proper peaking period tailored to my goals and event calendar.

 

I also expect to be able to query anything with the coach, whether it be equipment or setup related, what sort of stretching I should be doing, in-race/training eating guide, weight maintenance etc.

 

What I don't expect:

An eating plan

A race/training nutrition plan

A complete bike-fit

Detailed analysis on every session (I do expect key factors to be looked at which are determined by the coach when they developed the session)

Personal contact with the coach (massage/mechanical services etc.)

 

Edit: Short Version: A training plan tailored to my goals and event calendar, weekly feedback on sessions, and adaptation of the trainingplan or adjustment of the goals as per my progression.

 

Note: I am currently using such a service since December last year, and in 1 year my FTP has gone from 280W to 351W (and my training has suffered loads of breaks due to various reasons). My riding partner who has been more consistent went from riding a 3:15ish 94.7 last year to riding VA and finishing with the VA group at Emperor's Palace.

I would be very greatful if you would pm the coaches details

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Icycling]

Not been a betting man - but I think I would be willing to bet that this coach from Paarl Cape Town does not do any copying and pasting when it come to caching!  But rather spends time with his athletes and is out training them (there on site) - be it on the track or him been on the road / track taking them motor pacing. Well done to the athlete, coach and supporters. That is proper coaching in my opinion, not charging a number of athletes a monthly fee for a training plane just copied and pasted. From the coaches Facebook page:

 

"By now all of South Africa know that Ernst van Dyk won the Paralymic H5 handcycle gold medal. As his coach i want to thank:
1) His wife Suzanne and his two gils, not forgetting Max, his dog, his sponsors, for allowing him to chase his dream. My wife Michelle Kulsen and my son Ethan for allowing me to assist Ernst in helping him to achieve his dream. Last but not least Bronwin Adams for always being there to help push the pace on the tempo rides and Graham Ockhuis for pushing Ernst in the sprint efforts.
Thankx to you all for making RIO 2016 Palalymics a memorable one!!!!
God Bless."

[dave303e]

There are too many 'coaches' out there offering 'training programmes' but not evaluating feedback and progress at all hey, then again thankfully we are not in other sports where 1000$ and 2 days later you can be 'qualified coach' and set lose to go injure your athletes...

[BDF]

I find that a very reasonable training plan (not coach) is Today's Plan. Similar to Training Peaks but MUCH cheaper and you get all the analytics. You have to pay for the plan but if you don't want the plan you still get all the analytics.

 

I got a newsflash from them today that Sky are moving to their platform...

[NordicElf]

I have a coach based somewhere else, paying around the same as OP and I definitely don't get a copy and paste programme! I think it's absolutely possible to get real value from a coach based in a different city. My sister is coached by the same guy, she lives in the same city as him and although she can do group rides with him, I don't feel like I get less value. 

 

You shouldn't settle for a copy and paste programme... that's not cool. 

[SpecialK]

I train with a coach twice a week at the gym (not for cycling, but more weightlifting) and we often have the discussion about what makes a good coach. 

 

What he keeps saying is that a good/great coach works on the weakness of the person he is coaching. He does not have a set training program, but spends time with his athlete, whether it is online or in person. He picks up on their strengths and weaknesses, and tailors a plan according to the weakest areas. It is when you build on your weaknesses, you get stronger.

 

My coach often picks up how I am feeling and knows how much he can push me just by looking at my body language when I walk through the door, and adjusts my training for that day accordingly. 

 

For an online coach, I would expect them at least taking time once a week to listen to your feedback on the training sessions for that week and adjust the plan accordingly. If you're getting ill or have a stressful time at work, they should scale back on intensity. If you are making great gains over a few weeks, they should push you. 

 

Anything less than that - get a free/cheap training plan off the internet.

[carrera4s]

For R800 per month with an online coach I'd expect an hour of individual time per week.I would expect to use software such as Trainingpeaks to communicate with my (individual - tailored to my goals and event calendar) training plan with my coach, at R800 per month I'd expect to be on the coach's licence. But, I would expect my coach to monitor my progress on sessions and provide feedback on whether I achieved the session's goals or not, and for my training plan to be adapted appropriately.

 

For example If I hit good numbers on an interval session but then miss the next two sessions then I would expect the coach to tell me to chill a bit more on the next interval session so I get the full week's training in.

 

If I seem to be improving faster than expected, I expect to be asked to do another FTP test.

 

I expect to have a proper peaking period tailored to my goals and event calendar.

 

I also expect to be able to query anything with the coach, whether it be equipment or setup related, what sort of stretching I should be doing, in-race/training eating guide, weight maintenance etc.

 

What I don't expect:

An eating plan

A race/training nutrition plan

A complete bike-fit

Detailed analysis on every session (I do expect key factors to be looked at which are determined by the coach when they developed the session)

Personal contact with the coach (massage/mechanical services etc.)

 

Edit: Short Version: A training plan tailored to my goals and event calendar, weekly feedback on sessions, and adaptation of the trainingplan or adjustment of the goals as per my progression.

 

Note: I am currently using such a service since December last year, and in 1 year my FTP has gone from 280W to 351W (and my training has suffered loads of breaks due to various reasons). My riding partner who has been more consistent went from riding a 3:15ish 94.7 last year to riding VA and finishing with the VA group at Emperor's Palace. 

 

Sounds like my coach, however, mine also monitors my recovery and adjust accordingly.  He also did a full body analysis and FTP test before coaching commenced for an additional once-off fee.

[NordicElf]

For R800 per month with an online coach I'd expect an hour of individual time per week.I would expect to use software such as Trainingpeaks to communicate with my (individual - tailored to my goals and event calendar) training plan with my coach, at R800 per month I'd expect to be on the coach's licence. But, I would expect my coach to monitor my progress on sessions and provide feedback on whether I achieved the session's goals or not, and for my training plan to be adapted appropriately.

 

For example If I hit good numbers on an interval session but then miss the next two sessions then I would expect the coach to tell me to chill a bit more on the next interval session so I get the full week's training in.

 

If I seem to be improving faster than expected, I expect to be asked to do another FTP test.

 

I expect to have a proper peaking period tailored to my goals and event calendar.

 

I also expect to be able to query anything with the coach, whether it be equipment or setup related, what sort of stretching I should be doing, in-race/training eating guide, weight maintenance etc.

 

What I don't expect:

An eating plan

A race/training nutrition plan

A complete bike-fit

Detailed analysis on every session (I do expect key factors to be looked at which are determined by the coach when they developed the session)

Personal contact with the coach (massage/mechanical services etc.)

 

Edit: Short Version: A training plan tailored to my goals and event calendar, weekly feedback on sessions, and adaptation of the trainingplan or adjustment of the goals as per my progression.

 

Note: I am currently using such a service since December last year, and in 1 year my FTP has gone from 280W to 351W (and my training has suffered loads of breaks due to various reasons). My riding partner who has been more consistent went from riding a 3:15ish 94.7 last year to riding VA and finishing with the VA group at Emperor's Palace. 

 

 

That's very similar to what I get too. 

[madbradd]

Sounds like my coach, however, mine also monitors my recovery and adjust accordingly.  He also did a full body analysis and FTP test before coaching commenced for an additional once-off fee.

 

Yup this sounds about right. I just got an FTP test as one of the sessions in my first week. I expect that if your coach has the facility and ability to do a full body assessment / bike fit etc. that these would come as additional costs.