Fitness Assessment
Scientific Coaching training and cycle support services : Fitness Assessment and Monitoring
- Ensure your efforts count: make sure you are working to the correct training zones and monitor your progress
- Fitness Assessment and prescription of training zones : from £75.00 for repeat tests and existing clients; or £95.00 for your initial fitness assessment
- Combine with a one-off training plan based on the results for £150.00
- Include as part of a 1-2-1 training day or annual coaching plan.........
The method used for both fitness assessment and monitoring is scientifically proven and highly reliable based on the relationship between Power (watts) and Heart Rate (bpm) – put simply the fitter you are the more power you will produce at any given heart rate. The results of your fitness assessment can also be used to prescribe training "ensuring your effort counts ". By dividing the training load up into different zones or levels (the same principal as used by World Class Triathletes and Cyclists but pegged to your own fitness levels) we can ensure that, for examples, recovery sessions are precisely that and that sessions designed to raise your top end performance hit the right buttons.
BEWARE there are a number of different methods used to estimate training zones and many of these are highly inaccurate and based on factors such a “guessimate” for maximal heart rate and a percentage of that. There are even a number of creditable looking franchised operations that look highly scientific but give spurious results via unskilled operators.
The method used by SCIENTIFIC COACHING has been scientifically validated and looks at the heart rate / power relationship right across the spectrum from recovery base through to maximal sustained effort. Your training levels are then based on your actual performance in each different zone not estimated or extrapolated. A good fitness assessment protocol will inform training and also can be used to inform the prescription of training and as a tool for monitoring progress (or otherwise !).
Many test methods are based purely on maximal heart rate but this can lead to erroneous results and can often mask other training effects at the more important sub-maximal levels. Similarly tests that simply plot heart rate or power against time (such as the Conconi test and similar methods) mask the true physiological events. Check out the article of fitness assessment and training zones in the coaching resources / articles section of this site !
The
assessment is carried out on your own cycle to ensure personal results and this
also gives us an opportunity to look at your riding style, gear selection and
pedaling ability. From the results of your test you will receive a full analysis
including your heart rate training zones based on actual performances plus your
power training zones for use on your indoor-trainer or other power-measuring
system such as SRM power-cranks.
The test takes approximately 1 hour and can be combined with other coaching support services such as cycle-fit, body composition analysis, sports massage or taken as part of a 1-2-1 coaching day. Most of the scientific-coaching personal coaching programmes include fitness assessment as part of the monitoring and prescription process. Fitness Assessment is included in annual programmes from Silver upwards and normally forms part of a 1-2-1 training course. Fitness Assessment and prescription of training zones are also available as a stand-alone service and can be provided to individuals directly or via their coaches.
Your test can cost as little as £75 (inclusive of VAT) with discounts available for groups. To book your test or for further information please complete the form and return or email info@scientific-coaching.com
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