19/06/2026
“How are you feeling?”
This one question can deliver more information than all the heart rate, power, and wellness metrics that any band or device measures
Objective measures such as those provide data, but subjective metrics provide the context behind those
Understanding how the athlete feels can inform you if that high power and low heart rate is due to some building fatigue, or a boost in fitness. If that high heart rate for lower watts is the onset of illness, or just freshness and being well rested
Beyond that, stress comes in many forms, not just training stress. Life, work, jobs, family, relationships, the news. These all provide stresses that impact training and enjoyment
This is why the most common question we ask are athletes is: “How are you feeling?”
Every athlete is a human being, with an identity, emotions, and feelings beyond just being a training robot. Understanding the athlete as a whole helps direct every aspect of training, nutrition, S&C, and performance as a broader spectrum
We can get so hung up on objective data that we neglect the importance of ensuring the athlete feels supported in and of themselves
That the training is enjoyable, that they feel looked after, and that the programme as a whole is understood and building them towards where they want to be
The objective measures are still important, and brilliant for guiding training and gauging progress. But without the subjective measures and speaking with the riders, those metrics lose a lot of their value
I often get asked what our coaching methodology is at ATP Performance. From an objective measures perspective, this varies based on the specific athlete and their goals/events. From the subjective and a broader viewpoint, our methodology is looking after the rider as a whole. Helping them towards their goals, to understand the processes, and ensure they are enjoying it along the way
Get in touch if you’d like to talk about your goals, your events, or what you feel you’d like to get out of your training
