Will AI Replace Cycling Coaches?

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, the question isn't just a matter of if, it’s when… but to what degree?  Does this mean human coaches are on the verge of obsolescence? For some coaching tasks, the answer is yes. For others, the answer is no.  We believe its an exciting time to be a coach because combining AI with real world experienced is an incredible training solution.  Overall, a Coaches job description will evolve and rapidly over the next few months and years.AI Coaching automates "Online Coaching"

AI Coaching automates "Online Coaching"

The traditional coaching tasks of designing training plans, analyzing performance data, customizing workouts, and managing schedules are being transformed by AI capabilities. Our very own CoachCat is a testament to this, automating these tasks with astonishing efficiency and mind-blowingly good results. 

Gone are the days when a coach's primary focus was on these manual, time-consuming tasks. Now, with tools like CoachCat, athletes can receive custom plans, workouts, and even have their schedules adjusted in response to life's unpredictable moments—all through AI. From handling missed sessions and injuries to tweaking training based on recovery status, CoachCat offers a new level of adaptability and personalization.

Listen to our podcast about AI Coaching versus Human Coaching 👇

The Evolution of the Coaching Role

The emergence of AI in coaching doesn't signal the end for human coaches but rather a pivotal transformation in their roles. Coaches who adapt to this change, incorporating AI into their toolkit, stand to offer unparalleled value to their athletes. At FasCat, we're pioneering a hybrid model where AI's analytical prowess complements the irreplaceable experience and insights of human coaches. This approach not only enhances training outcomes but also enriches the coach-athlete relationship.

Human coaches possess something AI cannot replicate: real-world experience. This is particularly true for those at FasCat, where our coaches bring professional-level racing experience to the table. By leveraging AI for data analysis, we free up our coaches to focus on imparting wisdom that only comes from years of competing at the highest levels.

Here is an example of instant AI data analysis and human experiential data analysis unlocking greater gains for athletes:

1. The instant analysis let's the athlete know if they did the workout right and if there are to be any changes to the training plan tomorrow and downstream.  Because there is so much data coming in day-to-day, coaches struggle to keep up at the level of feedback athletes want. 

2. Using AI to free up coaches from the day to day analysis, enables them to use AI for big picture insight. For example "if the athlete trains this much, and recovers this well, they will improve x amount."  Think of the day to day AI analysis as trees and the human analysis being the forest.  Now the coach coaches the athlete how to do the training to get to the amount of desire improvement.   

The Future: A Hybrid Coaching Model

The future we envision for endurance coaching is a synergistic blend of AI and human expertise. This model doesn't just optimize training; it deepens the relational aspect of coaching, allowing for more meaningful interactions between coaches and athletes. With AI handling the analytical and administrative load, coaches can dedicate more time to discussing strategies, techniques, and personal growth with their athletes.

For instance, rather than spending time on logistical planning, coaches can now focus on sharing invaluable insights on race tactics, mental preparedness, and life balance—elements of the sport that AI cannot address. This shift marks a return to the core of coaching: the art of guiding and inspiring athletes through personal connections and shared experiences.

The story of coaching in endurance sports is evolving, with AI playing a central role. However, rather than seeing this as a threat to the profession, it should be viewed as an opportunity to redefine and enrich the value of coaching. The most effective coaches of the future will be those who harness the power of AI to enhance their expertise, fostering a coaching environment that balances technological efficiency with human wisdom and empathy.

In conclusion, AI is set to revolutionize endurance sports coaching, but not at the expense of human coaches. Instead, it offers a new path forward—one where AI and human expertise converge to create a more effective, personalized, and meaningful coaching experience. As we embrace this hybrid model, the value of a coach's experience, knowledge, and personal connection with athletes remains more crucial than ever, ensuring that the essence of coaching not only persists but thrives in the age of AI.

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 For the past 20 years, Frank Overton has coached cyclists, from Tour de France Pro's to amateur Jane's and Joe's. Overton has analyzed over 1,000,000 power files during this time and developed a proprietary data set to train CoachCat, an AI-powered Coach.  CoachCat guides athletes to improve with their activity and wearable data and the aforementioned proprietary data set. 

To try out AI Coaching and see what your data says about you, download the FasCat APP where the First Month is FREE.  Receive a custom training plan,  instant data analysis and use CoachCat for training plan revisions when work, weather, time aka "life" gets in the way.  We will also auto detect your FTP 💪