Smarter training starts here. Athletica’s newsletters deliver science-backed insights, expert tips, and AI-powered training updates for endurance athletes of all levels. Catch up on past editions and subscribe to stay ahead in your training journey.
The Models Behind the Magic: How You’re Shaping the Future of AI Coaching
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Hello Reader, We’ve always said it: Athletica is built on the shoulders of giants. In our latest two-part podcast with Dr. Andrea Zignoli, we dive into what that really means. It’s about the "modelling-first" philosophy that drives everything under the hood—from Banister’s load-response equations and Critical Power, to our integration of HRV responses, anaerobic power reserve, and HIIT Science principles. 👉 Listen to Part 1: Modelling First: Building Smarter Endurance Training Andrea reminds us that meaningful AI doesn’t start with flashy black boxes. It starts with understanding the human system, then building from that foundation. That’s how Athletica is designed: to coach with you, not instead of you. You Want to Be Coached — And We Heard YouHow do we know coaching matters? We're grateful for that. Not only did it help us identify and correct issues, but it also reinforced something powerful:
And that’s exactly what we’re working toward—together. New Feedback Engine: Rolling Out NowThanks to your feedback (and a special shoutout to Stefano), we’ve rolled out a refined version of our Session Feedback AI, including:
This is one more step toward making the AI-coach truly feel like a coaching partner—insightful, responsive, and grounded in the principles you trust. “You, the Athletica user, are helping to shape the future of AI coaching—session by session, post by post.” Stay tuned for more in-app coaching improvements as we continue to evolve Athletica based on your voice and experience. Thanks for being on the journey with us. Paul Laursen, PhD P.S. If you’re enjoying your experience with Athletica, we’d be grateful if you could take a moment to leave a review on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Your feedback helps others discover us—and helps us continue to grow. 🙏 |
Athletica AI Coach and Training Science
Smarter training starts here. Athletica’s newsletters deliver science-backed insights, expert tips, and AI-powered training updates for endurance athletes of all levels. Catch up on past editions and subscribe to stay ahead in your training journey.
Hello Reader, I wanted to share a quick story and a new release I’m really proud of. Years ago, when Kyle Buckingham crossed the line first at Ironman South Africa, he reflected later and said to me: “Paul—I know you’re trained as a physiologist, but really, you’re more of a psychologist.” Kyle Buckingham: The Sweetest Victory at his Home Race – Ironman South Africa It made me smile. Andi Boecherer once told me almost exactly the same thing after winning Ironman Lanzarote. It took me back to...
The Catalyst —My 36-Hour Fasted Climb A few weeks ago I finished recording a podcast with Prof. Tim Noakes and Dr. Phil Maffetone—two mentors whose work underpins much of my own coaching. Inspired (and a little rattled) by their latest thinking on the importance (or lack thereof) of muscle glycogen, I tested my own beliefs in the subsequent days: Fed vs. 36 hours fasted (black coffee + water). 90-min climb up Mt Revelstoke. Result: Personal-best power with –13 % Athletica Workout Reserve. One...
Hello Reader, We’re genuinely pumped about this release. One year ago HYROX wasn’t even on our radar—until our colleague Dan Plews (HYROX World Champion & HIIT Science contributor) sat down with Martin Buchheit on the Training Science Podcast. The forum lit up. “Can Athletica build an adaptive HYROX plan?” Today—we’ve delivered. What is HYROX, anyway? HYROX has rocketed from just 650 pioneering athletes in 2017 to roughly half a million competitors across five continents in the 2024-25...