Strava Launches Cycling Training Plans with CTS for Premium Members

Strava, the online network for athletes, has launched a new Training Plans tool with Carmichael Training Systems [CTS], the leading coaching organisation which has trained thousands of amateur and professional athletes.

Strava Premium members will be able to choose a tailored training plan to suit their goals.

Rather than focus on a specific race or distance, each training plan is designed to optimise performance on a different type of Strava segment. Regardless of whether athletes are looking to set a personal best up a gruelling climb, improve on short sprints, or just build their base before the spring season, Strava has a plan to suit.

Premium Members could use the training plans to improve their efforts on climbs both in the UK and abroad, such as The Cat and Fiddle or Winnats Pass. Or for longer efforts, popular segments such as Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux, Col du Galibier or Col du Tourmalet.

Strava Premium members can access the feature on Strava.com under the “Training” menu, selecting from one of 10 unique workout programs. Each plan is 4-weeks long with a specific focus – from explosive neuromuscular and anaerobic power for short sprints to lactate threshold and sustained endurance for longer climbs. Members can customise their plan based on weekly training volume – from 5 hours per week to 12.

Once members start a plan, they’ll get an email summarising their program and daily emails with the next day’s workout. All plans include 5 weekly workouts that can be completed indoors or outdoors, with interval workouts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; longer rides on Saturday and Sunday; and rest days on Monday and Friday. Strava members can adjust the training days based on their schedule.

“We are pleased to partner with the experts at CTS, a leading provider of science-based training plans in the endurance sports industry,” said Aaron Forth, Chief Product Officer at Strava. “This initiative further positions Strava as the central hub to meet all the needs of the athlete.”

CTS Coach Kirk Nordgren, who spearheaded the development of the training plans, said: “Athletes want to continue making progress, and that’s what CTS Coaches have been helping athletes accomplish for 15 years. We’re excited to help Strava athletes go faster because endurance sports are more fun when you’re fit.”

Training Plans are the newest addition to Strava Premium. For £3.99 per month (£39.99 per year), Premium members can get unlimited access to Training Plans and other features such as:

Goals – Cyclists can set goals and track their progress in a variety of ways, including weekly time and distance goals, power goals and time-based goals for specific Strava segments.

Training Videos – In partnership with FitStar and The Sufferfest, training videos are designed to provide extra motivation to help cyclists stay fit, reach peak performance, and meet training goals when the elements make it difficult for them to train outdoors.

Power Curve – Cyclists using power meters users can view their power vs. duration curve, providing a visualization of the maximal power they have sustained for a given time interval.

Fitness & Freshness – These indexes allow cyclists with power meters or heart rate monitors to gauge their training load and help them prepare for specific events with maximum freshness and minimal fatigue.

Strava is the online network that connects the global community of athletes. Founded in 2009, millions of athletes have joined Strava for the competition and camaraderie found in tracking and sharing their fitness activities.

Strava’s free mobile apps and website help members discover and plan workouts, record and share activities, and analyse and compare performance. Strava’s ability to connect athletes around the world makes fitness a more social experience, providing extra motivation even when training alone.

For more information, please visit https://blog.strava.com/shift-up-a-gear-with-strava-training-plans-9179/