One of the most common questions I get from potential clients is: “Which plan is right for me?”
I get it. Having three plans (START, PROGRESS, UNLIMITED) can be confusing, especially if you’re looking for a cycling or triathlon coach for the first time. In this article, I’ll help you figure out which plan fits your current level and goals.
Ask Yourself the Right Questions
Before you even look at the plans, answer these three questions:
1. How much time can you actually dedicate to training?
This isn’t about how much you “would like” to train. It’s about the realistic number of hours per week you can actually commit to structured training.
- Less than 6 hours/week → START or PROGRESS
- 6-10 hours/week → PROGRESS
- 10+ hours/week → PROGRESS or UNLIMITED
2. How important is this goal to you?
Is this a “nice to have” or “this is my main goal for the season”?
- General fitness and health → START
- Specific goal (Gran Fondo, IM 70.3) → PROGRESS
- Top-level amateur goal (IM, multi-day race) → UNLIMITED
3. How much experience do you have with structured training?
- I’ve never followed a plan → START
- I already follow generic plans → PROGRESS
- I have experience with serious training → PROGRESS or UNLIMITED
START Plan: Ideal for Getting Started
Who it’s for:
- Beginners to structured training
- Recreational athletes looking to improve their fitness
- Athletes with limited time (4-6 hours/week)
What you get:
- Personalized weekly plan (not generic!)
- Weekly training analysis
- Email support
- 10% discount on all tests
Why it works: The START plan gives you structure without overwhelm. If you have no experience following a training plan, this is a great way to learn discipline and see how your body responds to a systematic approach.
Many people think they need more, but the truth is: if you don’t have a basic structure in place, more communication won’t help. Start here, do 3-6 months, then move up to PROGRESS.
PROGRESS Plan: For Serious Amateurs
Who it’s for:
- Athletes with a clear goal (race, event)
- Those already training 6+ hours/week
- Athletes who want to maximize limited time
What you get:
- Everything from START +
- Same-day answers to your questions
- Weekly analysis with comments
- Daily data review (HRV, sleep)
- Recommended daily food amounts and guidelines
- Preparation for main (A) races
- 15% discount on tests
Why it works: PROGRESS is the right fit for most serious amateurs. You train by proven rules that work for most athletes, adapted to your zones and your schedule. I answer your questions the same day, so schedule changes get sorted quickly.
This is the plan for the athlete who:
- Knows what they want to achieve
- Is willing to put in the time and effort
- Needs expert guidance, not 24/7 hand-holding
UNLIMITED Plan: No Compromises
Who it’s for:
- Athletes with top-level amateur goals
- Those training 10+ hours/week
- Athletes preparing for specific events (Ironman, ultra-endurance)
What you get:
- Everything from PROGRESS +
- NIRS measurements on your muscle (Moxy sensor on loan for 2 to 3 weeks at the start and at each new training block)
- A strength plan built around your specific needs, plus advanced techniques such as blood flow restriction (BFR) training
- A nutrition plan matched to the type of day (high-load days, easier days, races), reviewed weekly
- Analysis of every key workout
- Ongoing plan adjustments based on your daily data
- All races: preparation plan, race tactics and fueling adapted to your discipline, plus post-race analysis
- 20% discount on tests and free follow-up measurements during the season
Why it works: UNLIMITED isn’t for everyone. It’s for the athlete who trains nearly every day, where every session counts, and where a wrong decision can wreck an entire training block.
With PROGRESS you train by proven rules. With UNLIMITED I check those rules on you. NIRS shows how much recovery your muscle actually needs, and for nutrition we go from templates to a system you can keep. The full comparison is on the coaching page.
My Advice
Most athletes need the PROGRESS plan.
If you’re torn between START and PROGRESS → start with START. If you’re torn between PROGRESS and UNLIMITED → go with PROGRESS.
You can always upgrade. It’s harder to go back down.
And don’t forget: the plan itself doesn’t produce results. Your discipline, consistency, and willingness to follow the plan, that’s what produces results.
Once you’ve chosen a plan, INSCYD testing can help us pinpoint exactly where you stand and what to focus your training on.
Ready to get started? Get in touch and we’ll find the right plan for you together.