When Mika Luoto – coaching monitor of the Finnish Triathlon Association – heard about INSCYD years ago, he was very skeptical. Will it add value? Is their field test without any lactate or oxygen measurement reliable? In this interview he explains how comparing his own lab test results with INSCYD results convinced him to work with us. He also explains how he uses INSCYD for testing and planning training programs and Ironman races. He even finishes with a recommendation to all athletes, coaches and federations. Read or watch the interview now!
My name is Mika Luoto. I started triathlon at the beginning of 1990s and had a professional triathlete career for about 10 years. During that time, I participated five times in Hawaii in the professional category. Every time I finished in top 20 and twice in top 10.
I retired triathlon about 15 years ago and started to coach Finnish triathletes. Last three years I’ve been working for the Finnish Triathlon Federation. First, I used to be a national coach, but now I am a coaching monitor. I however still coach the national team and some of my own athletes.
In 2010 I started to find out about INSCYD. I then asked my friends – who had done INSCYD tests before – and realized that it could be really good for our national team. Especially for the long-distance athletes.
Yes, I was a little skeptical. I wondered how much extra value it would bring us. But I also had my thoughts about how accurate the test results are, because with INSCYD you don’t need to go to the lab. You can just do a field test, for example on your own bike.
Even though that is perfect from a practical point of view, I was not sure how accurate and reliable the test results would be without going to a lab.
We first did an INSCYD test and then compared the results with lab test results. Of course for the same athletes. Looking at the lab test and INSCYD test, we found out that the results were really, really accurate. Very similar. This was the case even though we did not use lactate samples or oxygen uptake measurements for the INSCYD test. So it was really good!
We use both the remote PPD test and the lactate test. When comparing to traditional lab tests, the remote test is much easier to do. You don’t have to book the lab weeks before and therefore you can do the test when you feel that you have to do it. As a result, we can do this test more often and easier.
We also use the lactate test when we don’t want the athlete to push full effort during the test. Sometimes this is better and easier for the athlete. However, the PPD test is even easier because we don’t have to take the lactate. So the coach doesn’t have to be there.
With INSYCD we have a more precise metabolic profile of our athletes. We fore example want to know exactly how much carbohydrates the athlete uses when he rides the bike at certain power or runs at certain speed.
With this information, we can plan a better training program. It also enables us to plan the races so that the athlete would have enough energy to finish the race.
Of course, INSCYD also helps us with planning the right race power, so athletes can achieve the best race results.
For some athletes, we have found that they have a way too high VLamax. Especially if they do the longer half Ironman or Ironman races. If they have a high VLamax, we have to try to reduce it so they become more efficient by burning less carbohydrate. To decrease their VLamax, we have planned a training program in which they train more in their FatMax zone.
I think INSCYD brings more flexibility. You can do the metabolic test whenever you or your athletes need to do that. You don’t have to book the lab beforehand. It also brings more accuracy to the race planning. It tells us how hard an athlete can push during the race and
still maintain that power or speed up until the finish line. It also tells us how much energy (carbohydrates) a certain race effort will cost.
I think that is very useful information for other athletes and coaches to know.
With INSCYD, you can tailor training programs with unparalleled precision, ensuring your athletes achieve their peak performance faster and more efficiently.
Don’t let your athletes settle for anything less than their absolute best. Book a Free Demo with INSCYD today and experience firsthand how you can elevate your coaching game.
Athletes why train with generic plans when you can have a program tailored to your unique physiology? INSCYD is the key to unlocking your full potential. Find your dedicated INSCYD coach or lab here.
Already have a coach? Experience INSCYD in action with your coach and redefine your training approach.
Many INSCYD athletes and coaches qualified and prepared for IRONMAN Kona, Hawaii. In this article we bundle their tips and tricks. Spread the knowledge! Share this article with your fellow coaches and athletes. Click the share buttons below and inspire others on their journey to athletic excellence. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Email Table of Contents…
Olympian and former professional triathlete, Jean-Christophe Guinchard, shares his 35 years of experience in coaching. He is the co-founder of JC Sports Coaching and a member of Sansego Tri club, a group of high-level coaches working together to provide the best for athletes. Today, he coaches 42 athletes, including triathletes and trail runners, and is…
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https://youtu.be/Tl8OCWf-3YI When Mika Luoto – coaching monitor of the Finnish Triathlon Association – heard about INSCYD years ago, he was very skeptical. Will it add value? Is their field test without any lactate or oxygen measurement reliable? In this interview he explains how comparing his own lab test results with INSCYD results convinced him to…
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Peter Sagen in Gent-Wevelgem 2018 The spring Classics season is already finished, a moment that always leaves cycling fans with a bit of sadness in their hearts. But for INSCYD and team BORA – hansgrohe the first quarter of the year has been a blast. Watching Peter Sagan winning his first Paris-Roubaix wearing the World…
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Salenstein, Switzerland./ Colorado Sprints, USA January 12th, 2021. Two of the most innovative and best performing companies have joined forces. The coaching company Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) brings on board the analysis software and the unique training science tool INSCYD to support their performance diagnostic work. Carmichael Training Systems is the premier destination for world-class…
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Leistungsdiagnostik 4.0 Wir wollen in allen Bereichen des Trainings auf dem neuesten Stand der Technik sein. Wenn es aber um die Ausdauerleistung geht arbeiten die meisten Trainer mit herkömmlichen Laktatstufentests. Einer mehr als 30 Jahre alten Methodik. Wie passt das zusammen? Dabei ist der Fortschritt längst in der Ausdauerdiagnostik angekommen. Leistungsdiagnostik findet heute da statt…
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The last weeks prior to an important race event are crucial. Use the wrong training strategy, and all the hard work is lost. Manage your training the right way and you’ll boost your performance by a few percent. In this use case, Benjamin Tilus, National Champion Coach and Founder of XLR8 Performance Lab, shares how to…
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The Norwegian Training Method is gaining attention after the success of Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt in triathlon. In this blog post, you will learn how to apply the Norwegian Method in 3 simple steps to increase your triathlon performance. We will discuss the training philosophy, how to control intensity with lactate measurements, and the…
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In collaboration with renowned coach Frank Pike, we share why and how recreational athletes and age groupers benefit from using INSCYD. Spread the knowledge! Share this article with your fellow coaches and athletes. Click the share buttons below and inspire others on their journey to athletic excellence. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Email The challenge of…
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(Tägerwilen, Switzerland, 2nd September 2019) –Double Olympian Brendan Reilly joins INSCYD to develop partnerships with coaches and athletes worldwide INSCYD — the world’s most advanced software for performance analysis — has announced the appointment of double Olympian Brendan Reilly as its new Partnerships Manager. Reilly, who competed at Olympic level in high jumping for over…
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(Tägerwilen, Switzerland, 8 March 2019) – INSCYD, the world’s most advanced software for performance analysis, and SEG Racing Academy partnered up for the next three years. Talent Support & Identification SEG Racing Academy is an U23 development team that competes at continental level with the aim of educating and developing riders to the next step.…
One-man coach Toll Tollmahawk more than doubled his athlete coaching and testing business in just 4 months. In this article he shares how he did this, via 3 actionable tips. Toll Tollmahawk My need to better understand it kick started my business Tollmahawk Plus. My goal is to enable all athletes – whether they are professionals, weekend…
With an INSCYD performance projection, you can show your athletes exactly how much their FTP (or any other parameter) changes when they increase their VO2max (or any other parameter) by say 5%. In our experience, that is exactly what motivates athletes to stick to a training program and retest more frequently. The performance projection (dashed…
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In this blog, Certified Sports Nutritionist Coach Sofi Marin (INSCYD user since 2017) explains how she translates INSCYD data into specific nutrition advice. After all, who knows better how to use INSCYD than an INSCYD user? Translating INSCYD insights into specific nutrition advice With INSCYD, I have clear and specific data to support and justify…
DATE: 29 January | 7:00 PM CESt Journey to Paralympic Gold: USA Triathlon Coach Parker Spencer’s Strategy arrow-icon-down SEE INSCYD IN ACTION arrow-icon-down Download Free Guide About the Webinar: Success at the highest level requires more than just hard work—it demands precision, data, and a strategic approach. In this exclusive webinar, Coach Parker Spencer and…
As the INSCYD community grows, so does our team. We are happy to welcome track and field sprint expert, Brijesh Lawrence OLY. Introduction Brijesh Lawrence OLY Brijesh started running when he was 5, but noticed his Olympic potential when he studied at Doane University. He soon became a 100m & 200m specialist, winning a bronze…
So you received your metabolic test report and now wonder what you should work on to improve performance? Here’s how to discover potential room for improvement. We also show how you can calculate your ideal metabolic profile, depending on your goal. Afterwards you know exactly which metrics you should improve by how much. Spread the…
If you’re looking to run your best 5K race, National and State Champion coach Benjamin Tilus has a secret recipe for both beginners and professional runners. Follow these 3 steps to improve your performance and win your next race. Whether you’re a runner or a coach, this comprehensive guide to 5k race training is packed with valuable…
Peak and fade intervals are a key component in the training regimens of elite athletes. These Peak and Fade Intervals start at a very high intensity and gradually decrease, offering a unique approach to training. This article not only delves into the science behind Peak and Fade Intervals but also covers pre-loaded intervals, another effective…
1) The metabolic origin of the anaerobic threshold. It is one of sports most used terms when it comes to endurance performance and the most important benchmark value. However, most people do not understand what it is and why it even exists. 2) Athlete performance profiling – beyond critical power testing. Critical power testing has…
Scientists and coaches are openly questioning the importance of the most well-known performance metric in endurance sports – VO2max. This article answers whether VO2max actually matters for your sport performance. Let’s dive right into it! Spread the knowledge! Share this article with your fellow coaches and athletes. Click the share buttons below and inspire others…
Whether you’re considering becoming a coach or are already an experienced coach, we honestly can’t imagine a better way to test our physiological software than by using it on yourself (as a coach) before using it on your athletes. That’s what coach Florian Heck, 28 years old from Tri2gether (Trier, Germany), did with INSCYD. INSCYD…
The Belgian Triathlon Team Mixed Relay won the Olympic qualifier in Lisbon. As a result, they will compete in the Tokyo Olympics on July 31. What is their formula for success and how do they use INSCYD to create race winning training programs? Read it in this blog. ABOUT THE TRIATHLON MIXED TEAM RELAY Triathlon…
Salenstein, Switzerland. June 3rd 2020 . INSCYD and Belgian Cycling have just signed four-year cooperation agreement. This partnership includes all divisions of the national cycling association, i.e., INSCYD will support the disciplines road cycling, mountain biking, cyclocross, BMX and track cycling in their pursuit of maximum performance. Expert education for coaches After a several months long…
FatMax: definition, training (zone) and exercise test Whether you like cycling, running or any other endurance exercise: knowing your FatMax zone will enable you to train your fat oxidation and boost your endurance performance. This blog contains everything you need to know about FatMax. From theory to practical application. Let’s dive right into it! WHAT…
We are happy to announce that from now on, heart rate is integrated into our training zones. That means you can now describe a FatMax training zone – or any other training zone – based on heart rate. Image: INSCYD partner Triathlon Training Academy In the past, INSCYD training zones were described based on speed…
Florian Wellbrock has continued to make waves in the swimming world with his recent achievements. He pulled away for an 18.7-second win in the Open Water 10K at the World Championships, showcasing his dominance in the sport. This win was Germany’s second in two 10K races in Fukuoka, marking a significant milestone for the country…
Are you still using Jack Daniels’ running formula to determine athlete VO2? Are VO2max and anaerobic threshold the only metrics that you test for? Is your high VO2 athlete not winning all races? Then this article gives you the missing piece of the puzzle! Ben Tilus, National and State Champion coach in track and field…
There are many reasons why endurance athletes should want to increase their fat combustion. Riding many hours at FatMax (intensity at which you burn the most fat) might seem like the best way to do this. However, this is not always the case. It can even harm you and cause overtraining. Here’s what you should…
Exercise Physiologist Tero Joutsen, PhD, rideson the treadmill during a 30min constant load test – the gold standard for validation of the maximum lactate steady state (AKA anaerobic threshold / FTP) Advertising claims are often designed to make more out of products than they actually are. INSCYD’s Power-Performance Decoder (PPD) software doesn’t have a claim.…
Bernat Xamena after his sub-3h Marathon success Do you want to run a marathon in under three hours? Easy: you only need to run those 42.195 km (26.2 miles) at an average pace of 4:15 per km and smash it in 2 hours and 59 minutes. Of course, it’s not quite that simple: your body…
Henrik Kraglund on his way to break the 7-hour mark at La Marmotte 2019 There are several badges of honour in the world of endurance sports. For some, it is running a marathon in less than three hours, or qualifying for the Ironman World Championships. For pure cyclists, on the other hand, it can be…
Not sure which software to use for analyzing lactate tests in your human performance lab? Checkout this comparison between Mesics (LC lactate) vs INSCYD, and decide which tool fits your lactate- and spiroergometry diagnostics lab best. To prevent confusion: Mesics is the company name. Their product is called Winlactat. Soon the product name will change…
A Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test is easy to perform, you only need a power meter. However, the insights you get from knowing your FTP are also limited. In this article we share what science has to say about FTP. We also introduce a very similar test protocol that gives you a full view of …
IMPLEMENT INSCYD IN YOUR COACHING OR LAB BUSINESS: BOOST PERFORMANCE & GROWTH Discover the strategic advantages of implementing INSCYD into your business. We will walk you through the step-by-step integration process, share real-life examples of successful implementations, and provide actionable insights to maximize the benefits for your business. arrow-icon-down Get Free Demo Boost Earnings &…
Lactate accumulation & recovery Accumulation of lactate is associated with fatigue and time to exhaustion during hard exercise. The time an athlete needs to recover from such an accumulation and the intensity he or she can handle during this are crucial for success in some sports like cycling and football. Furthermore knowledge about accumulation and…
High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT is a popular training method among athletes, including cyclists and runners, who want to make the most of their training time. In this article, we bring you the top 5 HIIT workouts for endurance athletes and guide you on choosing the training methods that suit your needs the best. By…
Olympic mountain biking coach Filip François reveals his coaching structure, which leads to proven top performance and coaching business success. When I started my coaching business together with my wife (two times cross country Olympian) we wanted to give our athletes the best coaching possible. We chose to use INSCYD, because we already worked with it during the…
Power output recorded in training and racing isn’t separated from the physiology of the athlete. In fact, the power output one sees on his powermeter are actually created by the physiology of the athlete. INSCYD’s Power-Performance Decoder (PPD) is the first tool ever to combine field- and lab data, it enables coaches to see,…
Join Benjamin Tilus, National Champion Coach and Founder of XLR8 Performance Lab, as he demystifies the art of race preparation with the revolutionary “hourglass” model. This transformative approach has been pivotal in securing the US National title and has the potential to redefine endurance training across sports. Join us for this transformative session and equip…
You invested many training hours and money in your next IRONMAN triathlon. You sacrificed social and family life. On race day, you hope all comes together. But how can you be sure? Read this article to prevent hitting the wall or underperform. Learn exactly when to accelerate, recover, eat and drink. Are you ready for…
Salenstein, Switzerland / Leipzig, Germany. July 7th, 2022 INSCYD and CANYON//SRAM have signed a partnership agreement. INSCYD becomes the official performance software supplier of the women’s cycling team CANYON//SRAM. With fifteen riders from eleven different countries, CANYON//SRAM Racing is home to a diverse group of highly ambitious women. The team is currently racing the Giro…
In our previous article about Why the best track and field running coaches look beyond VO2max, we talked about the importance of knowing your athlete’s anaerobic power (VLamax). We showed that having a too low VLamax can easily cost you more than 5 seconds in an 800m race, while a too high VLamax can cost…
Sometimes you need that extra advantage to win against your competitors. Sometimes you want to teach your team the intricacy of human physiology. And sometimes you just want to develop your squad and bring the youngsters to an elite level. It doesn’t matter what your goal is: INSCYD will help you to achieve it. The…
This article covers everything you need to know about the INSCYD testing protocols, test results, testing cost and many more. Let’s start by addressing a common misunderstanding. Image: INSCYD partner Triathlon Training Academy Before we can dive into the INSCYD test, we have to understand what INSCYD is. INSCYD is a software tool that allows…
With the arrival of affordable running power meters like Stryd, power has become an important metric in running over the past years. Now it’s time to unlock the power of your running power meter. Previously, power was only a number expressing your output. Today INSCYD links this running power to your individual physiology. The result:…
Lactate threshold 1 (LT1) – also known as the aerobic threshold – is not to be confused with LT2 or anaerobic threshold, as LT1 occurs at a lower exercise intensity. LT1 may not get as much attention as LT2, but it’s still a popular ingredient of famous cycling, running, and triathlon training methods. This includes…
Zone 4 training, also known as threshold training, is used by the world’s best triathletes and marathon runners. But the true training effect of zone 4 training is not as straightforward as many coaches and athletes think. This article covers the science and practical applications of zone 4 training. Spread the knowledge! Share this article…
Over-under training is a type of interval training that alternates between intensities above the anaerobic threshold or FTP and those below it. The primary objective is to accumulate fatigue and lactate during the “over” interval and then efficiently clear it during the “under” interval. But how can coaches ensure they’re getting the intensities just right…
Are you still using training zones based on a percentage of FTP, Anaerobic threshold or fixed lactate concentrations? Do you get the feeling that two athletes training in the same zone don’t show the same adaptation to the same training? If this sounds familiar then it is time for a change! https://youtu.be/hZELSARsJtA With INSCYD’s new…
Iceland is often associated with geysers, volcanoes, cold water and a generally hostile landscape. Although it’s an island, you hardly think of Iceland as a swimming country or destination. But even this remote country, home to more than 300,000 inhabitants, has its own swimming federation – the Sundsamband Íslands, SSÍ. And its swimmers have already…
Are 40-20’s (40s ON 20s OFF) the best work to rest ratios in HIIT intervals? Or should you consider 30-30 Billat intervals? Both are common in endurance sports like cycling and running, and recent scientific literature shows why. Continue reading to learn more about work-to-rest ratios in HIIT training. Spread the knowledge! Share this article…
Whether you are an athlete, a coach, a national federation or a lab: starting to use INSCYD is easy and affordable. In this blog we briefly sum up what is necessary to join INSCYD. You are an athlete? Read how you can schedule your first INSCYD test! You are a coach or lab? Read what…
This webinar will teach you how to use a holistic approach, utilising biomechanics, aerodynamics, training and nutrition to tremendously increase the performance of a triathlete in no time. Learn how to use real world biomechanical analysis, nutrition strategies and efficient training programs to maximize value of your coaching and bike fitting service. High Performance Expert…
How often should you do an exercise test? And maybe even more important: when should you do such a sports performance physiology test? Read it in this blog or click here to start listening to the podcast! In the Faster Podcast by FLO, Sebastian Weber talks about how often athletes should perform a metabolic test…
The way training zones are determined and used hasn’t changed for decades, as if nothing happened in sport science lately. It’s time to throw them out of the window and start creating training zones that actually matter. Let’s start right away. TRAINING ZONES MOST COACHES USE – AND WHY IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE Currently,…
In the quest for Olympic glory, USA Triathlon’s Project Podium has partnered with INSCYD, a leader in exercise physiology analytics, to revolutionize the training of America’s top young male triathletes. Head Coach Parker Spencer shares insights into this groundbreaking collaboration, aiming to turn potential into podiums at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Watch Parker Spencer…
Because of the relatively short duration of swim races, the anaerobic energy production plays a huge and significant role. It therefore makes sense to learn more about this race winning energy system, that not many coaches take into account. A French national team member gets his lactate sample taken after an exhaustive exercise to determine…
Understanding VO2Max: What Is It and How It Affects Athlete Performance In the realm of endurance sports, understanding performance data and metrics is vital. A common question that emerges among athletes is “what’s your FTP?” or even more specific: “what is your power-to-weight ratio?”. However, both FTP and power-to-weight ratio are heavily dependent on a…
Since august 2020 we proudly work together with Eden Reforestation Projects. For every INSCYD test sold, we plant a tree! By doing so, we try to support the re-forestation of our planet. We are happy to announce we planted over 2500 trees since we started this collaboration.
“While everyone is obsessed with power data, INSCYD enables me to go beyond the superficial and understand my body better.” Cyclocross professional Eli Iserbyt shares what he learned from INSCYD and how he puts this into practice. Cyclocross professional Eli Iserbyt shares his INSCYD experience (photo: PhotopressBE) What triggers a 6x Belgian champion, 3x European…
INSCYD’er and short distance runner Vanessa Scaunet during the European Championships Indoor, Torun 2021. More and more running coaches use INSCYD to create better training programs and race pacing for their athletes. This blog covers the story of Vanessa Scaunet, who was able to switch her running goal from a 2k cross country to an…
As a sports performance coach, you’re well-versed in creating training plans and guiding your athletes to success. However, are you providing them with the metrics they truly crave? Our survey revealed that athletes are highly interested in 3 specific metrics, which most coaches often overlook. Here are these 3 metrics, along with tips on how…
Lift heavy is the number one tip that all female athletes in perimenopause and beyond can take on to stay strong and play to their best. Eat more protein is another. But what about those endurance goals that we love training for? How do you balance “going long” with doing strength and intensity? How do…
Triathlons are not won while swimming, but can easily be lost in the swim. By understanding your athlete’s physiological response, you learn how to tackle the swim and what to do in training. This boosts confidence and performance, which unlocks race benefits you and your athletes never knew existed. BONUS: Olympic Triathlon Paris use case.…
In endurance training and competition— efforts can oscillate between high-intensity surges and low-intensity steady paces—an athlete’s ability to recover is a defining factor of repeated, high-quality performance. Whether you coach elite cyclists seeking to outlast the peloton in repeated breakaways or you lead a running club preparing for intervals, an informed approach to recovery during…
Here’s how lactate concentrations in training can help to control fat metabolism. We reveal the link between lactate and fat, talk about the lactate concentration at FatMax and explain why knowing an athlete’s lactate levels in training is crucial to control fat metabolism. BONUS: know your athlete’s lactate concentration without measuring it. The popularity of training at…
Whether a VO2max of 50 is good depends on your age and gender. Moreover, while average VO2max values tell you something about your health, athletes should compare their VO2max with other athletes, not the general population. That’s why in this article we provide numerous VO2max comparison charts, based on age and gender, for both athletes…
Ask Me Anything with Sebastian Weber: Live Q&A for Coaches & Labs arrow-icon-down Book Free demo arrow-icon-down download E-book About the Webinar: Eexclusive ‘Ask Me Anything’ session with Sebastian Weber, the founder of INSCYD and a world-renowned sports scientist. In this interactive session, Sebastian will answer any questions you have and provide valuable insights on…
Carbohydrate and fat combustion rates are among the most important features INSCYD can offer for runners, triathletes, and cyclists. Here’s why: While fat combustion rates are a valid marker to monitor training progress and set training intensity zones, carbohydrate combustion is crucial not only in training – but even more in a race. Carbohydrate storage…
When you want to go fast, you need carbohydrates as a fuel. Once you start running out of carbs, you’ll automatically slow down …
Together with former professional cyclist and INSCYD user Peter Pouly, we talk about the future of cycling training and how that affects endurance coaches and their business. Peter is a former professional cyclist (5x National Champion Cross-Country Mountain Bike, 5x winner Haute Route Alps, 1x winner La Marmotte) and now works as a Directeur Sportif for…
In this webinar we show how to measure the energy cost at a given swimming speed, using simple testing in the pool. About the webinar The energy cost at a given speed is decisive for the race performance in swimming. The methods shown in this webinar are all based on peer reviewed scientific publications. We…
You’ve been told you need to train 15, 18 or even 20 hours a week to qualify for the Ironman World Championships. You’ve been told that you had to want it so badly that you had to devote your entire life to it – let alone your family and professional commitments. And although yes, the task is…
Webinar X Creating individual physiology based Winter Training: From Data to Tailored Programs Prepare your athletes for success with winter training programs built from real physiological insights. Learn how to create tailored strategies that enhance off-season performance and drive results. Book A Free Demo Download Free E-Book About the Webinar: Winter is the perfect time…
Cyclocross heroes seem to dominate in road cycling. How do cyclists like Thomas Pidcock, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel make the switch from a 60-minute cyclocross race to a 6-hour road race? In this blog, Wout van Aert – coached using INSCYD since 2017 – reveals his secret! In cyclocross, it is…
Power vs. Duration respectively Speed vs. Duration analysis has a long history in sport science.Power-Duration relationships have become very popular and also very useful in managing training & performance in endurance sports – particularly in cycling. It provides a relatively easy way to get an idea of the performance of an athlete. Watch the webinar:…
Tabata workouts, a type of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), are named after Dr. Izumi Tabata, who compared the effects of these intervals to moderate-intensity endurance training in a scientific publication (1996). The original Tabata workout only takes 4 minutes and boosts your VO2max and anaerobic capacity. Check out our in-depth guide on understanding and improving your VO2max.…
In this podcast, Colby Pearce and Sebastian Weber talk about the magic of cycling: having a strong aerobic metabolism that burns the lactate, produced by the (anaerobic) glycolytic metabolism. Are you able to recover from repeated accelerations? Colby Pearce during the podcast: “The glycolytic metabolism produces lactate – and a well trained aerobic metabolism consumes…
Christoph Strasser broke the world record for 24h non drafting by riding 1026 km. His INSCYD coach Markus Kinzlbauer shares what it takes to perform such an amazing effort. https://youtu.be/W4ZKmSDhRbA With 6 victories in the Race Across America and a world record in 24h indoor track cycling (941 km), Christoph Strasser was already considered the…
In this webinar we are going to take a close look at using anaerobic threshold / FTP for prescribing training intensities. What might be the possible limitations and most common errors in using anaerobic threshold / FTP as the sole performance benchmark? Watch the webinar: Agenda: The physiological definition of anaerobic threshold Intensity in competition…
Zone 2 training is promoted as your go-to training intensity, whether you’re a professional athlete or simply looking for exercise health benefits. Zone 2 training gained popularity when the coach of Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar revealed that his athlete spends 80% of the training days in zone 2. In this article we talk…
In this use case, coach and sport scientist Florian Heck shares how he and his runners benefit from combining INSCYD software with (STRYD) running power data. Trail runner Josef. Source: Sportograf Florian Heck, coach and managing director at KickAss Sports, shares his story about testing and coaching an experienced trail runner, using INSCYD and STRYD.…
The German Swimming Federation (Deutscher Schwimm-Verband, DSV) and INSCYD have announced the extension of their successful partnership, a collaboration that has already led to groundbreaking results for German swimming on the world stage. By combining physiology-driven insights with tailored training protocols, INSCYD’s software has been instrumental in shaping the Federation’s athletes for top-tier performance—and the…
James (39) is self-employed, working long hours and having to fit training in around his demanding physical job. His results had plateaued and he was finding it difficult to structure his training and balance his work/life commitments. As a result, he was struggling to improve his performance enough to warrant the time and energy necessary…
Salenstein, Switzerland. September 26th. INSCYD — the world’s most advanced software for performance analysis — has signed a three -year contract with the Pro Continental cycling team Corendon-Circus ahead of the next cycling seasons. INSCYD will provide the team with its cutting-edge technology for performance analysis. The team’s Performance Manager Kristof De Kegel — who has…
Improving running economy is probably the most efficient way to shave off minutes from your 10k or (half) marathon time. At the same time, it’s an overlooked metric that is often wrongly measured. That’s why it’s time for a change! This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about running economy (RE): from theory…
Many labs and coaches use lactate threshold graphs to measure progress in their athletes. However, when analyzing a lactate threshold chart, it’s important to know exactly which factors cause a shift in the lactate curve. After reading this article, you will understand why a right shift in the lactate curve can be a bad thing.…
Want to become a pro in taking blood samples for lactate testing? Start the e-learning: The complete guide to taking valid lactate samples.
Interval training is a highly effective way to improve your athlete’s performance, enabling to train at intensities that are too high to sustain for a long time. To create an effective interval training program, you need to consider the duration and intensity of both the interval and the recovery. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show…
This case study is about an 800 meter National Swimmer who is not able to keep up with her teammate during training and racing. Observations and lactate measurements seem to indicate she needs to improve her aerobic energy system, but this turns out to be a false assumption. Read the article and register for the…
Are you looking for a way to boost your performance as a coach or athlete? Then you need to consider performance testing. In this article, we’ll cover the top 3 reasons why the best coaches use metabolic testing, whether you’re working with a professional or amateur athlete. What is performance testing? Before we dive into…
Just because INSCYD is well accepted in cycling – with partners like Team Jumbo Visma, Movistar and Alpecin-Fenix – doesn’t mean INSCYD is limited to cycling. In fact, the first INSCYD license purchased ever was in swimming – via the French Institute of Sports INSEP. If you are a coach, test lab or federation, who…
Velocity is a new performance-driven indoor cycling app that is designed to make cyclists faster by customizing their training to their physiology. To accomplish this, Velocity will leverage INSCYD’s proprietary software and comprehensive experience with elite athletes to provide riders with their unique metabolic profile. Readers may think of Zwift when hearing “indoor cycling app”,…
Join us for an exclusive webinar where we’ll delve into the secrets behind Team Sportforum‘s success in the ‘Rad-Bundesliga’ opener in Schweigen. Guided by Luke Derksen, Head of Performance, we’ll discuss the strategies and methodologies employed to elevate the team to the status of the best amateur cycling team in Germany. Learn from their real-world experiences…
THE PHYSIOLOGY BEHIND WINNING THE TOUR DE FRANCE: FROM DATA TO ACTION Exclusive webinar revealing the physiological secrets of Tour de France champions. Learn how to interpret and apply metabolic data to elevate training, boost performance, and develop winning talent. arrow-icon-down Learn more about INSCYD No More Guessing! Get a 360° Metabolic Profile of Athletes…
In the previous blog we talked about the importance of knowing fundamental running metrics like VO2max, VLamax, Fat combustion and Carbohydrate combustion. We saw how knowing those metrics makes you a faster runner instantaneously. In this blog we’ll show you how knowing your lactate accumulation and recovery will optimize interval training. How VO2max and VLamax…
How many times have you looked at your power meter or heart rate monitor and wondered if you were going too far above your threshold? Although it is reasonable not to kill yourself ‘just because’ when you’re out training and racing, you might be surprised by how little you actually know about one of the…
Olympic gold medal winners are physiological outliers per definition. But what truly sets these elite athletes apart from others? In this article we dive into the metabolic profile of Grace Brown, who won the female individual time trial in Paris. The 32.4km course of the individual time trial (ITT) was virtually flat. As Italian’s national…
Diagnostics national coach Alexander Törpel (m.) works with fellow coaches Norbert Warnatzsch (l.) and Bernd Berkhahn (r.) at the Magdeburg federal base in Magdeburg. Digitization is also inevitable in the sport of swimming. In the field of sports science, it is now advancing particularly quickly in Germany since Dr. Alexander Törpel was appointed national coach…
Some of our technologies seem so ground-breaking, that it might seem too good to be true. Questions we often hear are: “how come INSCYD is able to measure the VLamax while others fail to do so?” or “How is it possible that the Cycling PPD only needs 4 all out efforts, but still results in…
Mountain biking is significantly different from road cycling – you can’t just use the same training prescription. Elite coach Janis Musins reveals how he transformed Martin Blums from a rank around 50 to an impressive 11th place on the World XC ranking, using INSCYD performance software. Spread the knowledge! Share this article with your fellow…
