CoachCat: AI Coaching with a Human Touch
Sports
Introduction
Over the past few months, I’ve been testing out the FastCat app to see how effective it is and whether it’s just another app that takes up precious phone space. Like many coaching apps, FastCat offers a variety of training plans primarily tailored for cycling and triathlons.
Upon starting the app, users are prompted to answer a series of questions about their available training time, cycling experience, and any upcoming events they’re preparing for. Based on these responses, the app creates a personalized training plan tailored to the individual. FastCat even includes strength training and meal plans, complete with ingredient lists and cooking directions.
The AI Coach: CoachCat
What excites me the most about FastCat is its new AI coach feature, CoachCat. This innovation allows you to have a "coach" right in your pocket. After your workout data syncs with the FastCat app, CoachCat analyzes your performance in real time and provides immediate feedback. This instant feedback normally takes days to receive from traditional coaches, making it particularly appealing.
For example, after completing a challenging 82-minute workout on Zwift involving three 15-minute efforts at 92% of my FTP, I received immediate feedback from CoachCat. The response was enthusiastic, giving me details such as an optimized training stress (OTS) score of 71 and praising my commitment to preparing for my 7.3 Triathlon.
The app not only provides workout feedback but also connects to Apple Health or Garmin Connect to assess your sleep data and recovery metrics based on your optimization score and heart rate variability (HRV). This feedback comes first thing in the morning, allowing you to start your day informed and ready for training.
Moreover, when adjustments to my schedule were needed—like switching a planned run to today instead of Sunday—CoachCat accommodated my request smoothly, maintaining a focus on hydration and nutrition for optimal performance.
Some Limitations
While the AI coach is impressive, it’s still a work in progress. For instance, CoachCat sometimes misclassifies workout types. After a cycling session, it mistook my high-intensity workout for an active recovery session, which prompted me to question its understanding of my training data. Additionally, during a treadmill run, it incorrectly referenced my cycling power metrics instead of running metrics, highlighting a lack of differentiation between the two activities.
FastCat syncs with multiple devices and fitness platforms, like Garmin, Wahoo, Fitbit, Zwift, and TrainerRoad, but not everything works seamlessly. Sleep data and heart rate data sync automatically from Apple Health; however, if I record a running workout on my Apple Watch, I need to manually transfer that data to FastCat through Garmin. Workouts also cannot directly push to apps like Zwift, which could limit usability.
While AI can suggest changes to your training plan, it can’t make physical alterations to your scheduled sessions. The feature to create a new workout based on its recommendations exists, but it lacks the ability to manipulate existing workouts automatically.
Despite these shortcomings, it’s clear that FastCat is advancing. As more users engage with the app, gathering diverse data will help to refine the AI algorithm and improve its functionality. The app also has plans to introduce more personas based on different coaching styles, allowing users to choose a coach that aligns better with their personal goals and preferences.
Pricing
The FastCat subscription costs $ 35 per month or $ 299 per year. While this may seem steep, their plans offer comprehensive training, including strength plans and meal advice, which aren’t widely found in other apps. However, an adjusted price range of $ 15 to $ 20 could attract a larger user base.
Conclusion
AI has significantly impacted the endurance sports world, especially in cycling. Current apps utilize AI and machine learning to create adaptive training plans based on workout performance, sleep, and individual goals. However, human coaches bring empathy and emotional intelligence to the table, which AI has yet to master.
FastCat aims to bridge this gap with CoachCat, and I am eager to see where it goes. While AI may not entirely replace human coaches soon, we are moving closer to that possibility.
Keywords
- FastCat
- CoachCat
- AI coaching
- Personalized training
- Cycling app
- Real-time feedback
- Performance metrics
- Adaptive training plans
- Human touch
- Triathlon preparation
FAQ
1. What is CoachCat?
CoachCat is the AI coaching feature of the FastCat app that provides real-time feedback on workouts and helps users adjust their training plans based on performance data.
2. How does FastCat personalize training plans?
FastCat personalizes training plans by asking users about their available training time, cycling experience, and upcoming events to create tailored workouts.
3. Can CoachCat make adjustments to my workout schedule?
CoachCat can suggest changes to your training plan and create new workouts based on those suggestions, but it cannot automatically alter existing scheduled sessions.
4. Does FastCat track recovery metrics?
Yes, FastCat connects with Apple Health or Garmin Connect to pull sleep data and provide insights into recovery based on your heart rate variability (HRV).
5. What is the cost of using FastCat?
FastCat costs $ 35 per month or $ 299 per year.
