Hi all,
Im a self coached athlete and am always looking for new ways of doing things. I’m curious if anyone has used “Endure IQ - SQUAD” and if so what your feedback has been? $25USD/week seems high for a Today’sPlan account and what is effectively automated training plan generation, however I’m sure I’m missing somethings and key features.
There are quite a few plans, and workouts to select to plan your own items. It really is more of paying for access to the large library of all distance/level plans, as well as additional workouts.
I am a member and pretty happy so far, the key aspect which may not be intuitive at first is access to the community - Dan Plews (founder) holds bi weekly zoom calls with the squad, other coaches have weekly calls and there are also special events with external guests and for example Dan recently held a seminar with a St George’s course preview and heat adaptation tips etc. There is also a fairly active online discussion board so that every single question you have about training equipment or anything else will get answered by Dan or other coaches. The plan is not simply 100% automated as it includes for example tips on how to fuel each session (depending on type of work) and how to use HRV to place your sessions optimally within the week. They are also launching a video on demand platform with strength flexibility mobility exercises etc. I used to be with Purple Patch but over the years the platform has grown so much that it turned into a selling machine trying to encourage members to upgrade and buy additional tests from Inside Tracker, nutrition plans from Fuel In, online bike fitting (!?), sweat tests and PH drinks etc - in the end it was too much and it detracted from training. None of this from EndureIQ as in my experience Dan sees himself as a sport scientist first, and in my view is one of the sharpest minds in triathlon (coaches Gomez, Jan Van Berkel, is head of performance for New Zealand, the America’s cup boat crew etc.). The calls alone are worth a lot more than the 25USD/week.
Appreciate the detailed review. Given 7 months have gone by since this review, I’m curious if you have a different opinion? What has your experience been since? Much Appreciated
Have been super happy. I finished 3rd AG at ironman Italy and top 5% AG at 70.3 worlds (from mid pack in Nice in 2019) so clearly the approach is working for me.
Dang, I know Plews is a helluva coach but $250/wk is stout. That’s more than most people’s car payment.
It’s $25 per week
.
I’ve been using it since September and I love it.
Jon, I am currently using another program, but it has changed drastically as far as delivery. Could you maybe answer these questions? I have found some answers on their website, but looking for an actual user to answer.
I like being able to download run/bike workouts onto my own platform and get a structured workout. I use TrainerRoad. Can you download structured workouts?Is there a seasonal progression/periodization that exists?For swim workouts does it prescribe tools to use?(buoy, snorkel, paddles)?Can you add race/recovery/injury builds or blocks to the program that is prescribed?If you want can you schedule a consult with one of the coaches, obviously at a fee?
It’s $25 per week
My mistake. Big difference ðŸ˜
Happy to answer your questions:
Really worth it in my opinion. I feel like my fitness is better than it’s ever been and Ive been doing the sport since 1991. I used to think I did not want coaching because I like to try and figure stuff out for myself, but now I realize this is much better. So nice to get home from work and just do the prescribed workout on Zwift instead of wasting time figuring out which workout to do. Strength training program they have on there is also great.
Jon, I am currently using another program, but it has changed drastically as far as delivery. Could you maybe answer these questions? I have found some answers on their website, but looking for an actual user to answer.
I like being able to download run/bike workouts onto my own platform and get a structured workout. I use TrainerRoad. Can you download structured workouts?Is there a seasonal progression/periodization that exists?For swim workouts does it prescribe tools to use?(buoy, snorkel, paddles)?Can you add race/recovery/injury builds or blocks to the program that is prescribed?If you want can you schedule a consult with one of the coaches, obviously at a fee?
Yes to all 5. Regarding #5 specifically, If you sign up for 6 or 12 months a start up call is included to help you direct your training based on whatever your goals are.
Can’t recommend this enough. All of the coaches are great and I’d say 75% of the time I get responses from Dan himself. You could always do a few weeks at $25 weekly payments to see if you like it and then pull the trigger on a longer commitment, that is what I did.
Awesome, thank you. Answered my questions fully appreciate the transparency!
Awesome, thank you. Answered my questions fully appreciate the transparency!
+1
Thanks a lot, very helpful!
I am a member and pretty happy so far, the key aspect which may not be intuitive at first is access to the community - Dan Plews (founder) holds bi weekly zoom calls with the squad, other coaches have weekly calls and there are also special events with external guests and for example Dan recently held a seminar with a St George’s course preview and heat adaptation tips etc. There is also a fairly active online discussion board so that every single question you have about training equipment or anything else will get answered by Dan or other coaches. The plan is not simply 100% automated as it includes for example tips on how to fuel each session (depending on type of work) and how to use HRV to place your sessions optimally within the week. They are also launching a video on demand platform with strength flexibility mobility exercises etc. I used to be with Purple Patch but over the years the platform has grown so much that it turned into a selling machine trying to encourage members to upgrade and buy additional tests from Inside Tracker, nutrition plans from Fuel In, online bike fitting (!?), sweat tests and PH drinks etc - in the end it was too much and it detracted from training. None of this from EndureIQ as in my experience Dan sees himself as a sport scientist first, and in my view is one of the sharpest minds in triathlon (coaches Gomez, Jan Van Berkel, is head of performance for New Zealand, the America’s cup boat crew etc.). The calls alone are worth a lot more than the 25USD/week.
Do you see significant philosophy difference between Purple Patch and Endure IQ? I’m with PP and I’m actually pretty happy with it but i’m just curious. Especially given that Endure is 25 bucks a month cheaper.
I too was annoyed at some of the upsell stuff that PP did after a bit. But they actually did come out and apologize and say that wasn’t their intention.
Also - I had an online bikefit with IOG and of the 1/2 dozen bike fits I’ve had in my life. It was the best and most valuable for a wide margin.
So endureiq is a smaller community so you get a lot of direct access to Dan himself, he shows up at least every other week and it’s usually not very busy, you can ask him a lot of questions. Also (although they are charged separately) I have to say the various LDT courses are so so good, it’s really the secret sauce of triathlon that many coaches don’t really want to share.
PP had a much more active Facebook group in the other hand, and for those who like them also live bike classes.
What is LDT?
Long distance triathlon. They have a number of courses on nutrition training monitoring heat adaptation etc that go by the names of LDT 101, 102. Lots of coaches do them.
Long distance triathlon. They have a number of courses on nutrition training monitoring heat adaptation etc that go by the names of LDT 101, 102. Lots of coaches do them.
Cool. Thanks for the info. Appreciate the feedback.
Have you seen an improvement in performance from EIQ and PP?
Jon, Im in similar situation being in EndureIQ but primarily going to use the Vasa SwimErg for weekday swim sessions. I asked in the EndureIQ Squad forum what was recommended and Dan Plews said “We have band workout in the workout library that can be substituted for the VASA”
Im curious how you substituted in Vasa workouts. Did you buy a separate swim workout plan for the Vasa Erg and plug that into days where swimming is listed in Today’s Training?