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Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to the questions we hear most. Still stuck? Use search to dig into the full articles.

MATS AI Coach

Do I need the Premium subscription in addition to the AI Coach?
No. The World Class AI Coach is a separate product that you purchase as an athlete. With the World Class AI Coach, you get access to the full MATS feature set - from a hyper-personalized training plan to all Premium and Basic features.
Will my current Premium subscription be credited toward the AI Coach subscription?
If you already have a Premium subscription and upgrade to the AI Coach subscription, the price will be prorated until the end of your current billing period.
How long does it take for my training to appear in the calendar?
How long plan generation takes depends on the scope of the plan. An initial plan generation will take a little longer than generating just one additional week. However, plan generation usually only takes a few minutes (< 5 min).
How far in advance does the AI Coach plan my training?
The AI Coach generally plans your training long-term with your goal in mind. In the app, you will always see the training for up to 14 days.
How often does the AI Coach adjust my training?
The AI Coach will never automatically adjust your training. Instead, if it detects changes—for example, in your availability, readiness, or risk of illness—it will suggest a plan adjustment. You decide whether or not the AI Coach should make the adjustment.
How does the AI Coach periodize my training?
The AI Coach plans your training in different mesocycles based on your goal(s). It uses the phases commonly applied in sports science: Base, Build, Peak & Transition.
Does the AI Coach also schedule rest weeks?
Based on your experience as an athlete, the AI Coach schedules regular rest weeks to protect you from overtraining as much as possible while also ensuring your training progress.
Does the AI Coach also plan my strength and conditioning training?

Yes. In addition to your endurance training, the AI Coach also plans strength and conditioning training (Strength & Core). This requires two steps:

  1. Select “Strength & Core” as one of your sports in the AI Coach onboarding.
  2. Create availabilities with “Strength & Core” selected as the sport. Without both settings, the AI Coach does not plan any strength and conditioning training.
Can the AI Coach prepare me for a HYROX race?

Yes. The AI Coach can prepare you for your HYROX event. This requires three steps:

  1. Add your HYROX event to your MATS calendar.
  2. Add “Strength & Core” as a sport in your AI Coach settings.
  3. In your “Strength & Core” availabilities, select “HYROX” as the equipment. The AI Coach only plans HYROX-specific sessions if “HYROX” is selected as the equipment. Without it, you get general strength and conditioning training instead.
What are group sessions?
Group sessions can be, for example, your swim training, running group, or a bike ride with friends. With group sessions, you can tell the AI Coach what the intensity of your workout will be, so that all other sessions in your training plan can be adjusted accordingly.
I have two sessions per day in my plan—is that intentional?
This can happen if you have indicated that you are available all day. In that case, the AI Coach assumes that you are available for training throughout the entire day. If you do not want to do two sessions per day, simply change your all-day availability to a time-limited availability. Alternatively, you can tell your AI Coach in the chat that you do not want to have two sessions per day.
How can I plan a training camp?
A training camp can be scheduled through your availability settings. Simply add a new availability in the calendar and select “Training Camp” as the type.
I have already provided my daily feedback, but I feel better/worse before my workout than I indicated.
This is one of the AI Coach’s strengths. Simply update your daily feedback, and if an adjustment is necessary, the AI Coach will adapt your training accordingly within a short period of time to continue preparing you optimally for your goal.
What criteria does the AI Coach use to plan my training?
Based on your data, goals, and availability, the AI Coach creates an individually tailored training plan designed to help you achieve your goals as effectively as possible.
I can’t train today - how do I tell my AI Coach?
If you already know that you won’t be able to train, you can simply set your availability for the relevant day to “Not available” at any time. The AI Coach will then remove the training session for that day.
What happens if I couldn’t complete a training session?
If you were unable to complete a planned training session, you don’t need to do anything initially. The AI will recognize that you didn’t train and will adjust your training accordingly to keep you on track toward your goal.
Which sports does the AI Coach support?
Currently, the AI Coach can plan swimming, cycling, and running as individual sports, as well as duathlon, triathlon, and HYROX as multisport disciplines. As additional options, the AI Coach can also plan your strength and athletic training.

Smarttrainer Integration

How do I use the MATS Smarttrainer control for the 1st time?

Very easy:

Plan or open a workout that was built based on the ‘% FTP’ metric. Click “Start workout” in the top right. Connect your smarttrainer with a click on the “Connect your trainer” button A popup opens displaying the Bluetooth devices -> ‘Select device’ -> click ‘Connect’ Once your trainer is connected you can start the workout directly by clicking “Start training” or additionally connect your heart rate strap or CORE sensor.

Which devices can I use the MATS Smarttrainer control with?
The MATS Smarttrainer control can get used on every platform (laptop/desktop, tablets, smartphones).
Why can't I start my workout?

In order to use the MATS Smarttrainer control, your workout must have been created with the “% FTP” metric.

Workouts based on heart rate cannot be supported by the smarttrainer.

We are working hard on supporting training-zone-based workouts in order to support these as quickly as possible as well.

Which smarttrainers are supported?

All trainers that use the FTMS protocol are currently supported:

  • Wahoo Kickr, Wahoo Kickr Core (from 2018)
  • TACX Smarttrainer (from 2020)
  • Elite Smarttrainer (from 2020)
  • ZWIFT Smarttrainer
My smarttrainer won't pair.

This can have several reasons. Please check the following points:

Check whether Bluetooth is enabled on your device and whether you have given MATS the necessary permissions to use Bluetooth. In this context, also check whether MATS has permission to access your location! The Bluetooth permission on iOS and Android is tied to the permission to access the location. Make sure your smarttrainer is not connected to any other devices. Make sure the firmware of your smarttrainer is up to date.

If your smarttrainer still won’t pair with MATS, please contact our support: support@mats.coach

Why does MATS need my location?

The permission to use Bluetooth is tied to the permission for the location. This is mandated by the OS manufacturers.

However, we do not use this data in MATS.

Can I use my CORE sensor with MATS Smarttrainer control?
Yes. With the MATS smarttrainer control you are able to connect your CORE sensor and track your core-temperature during your workout.
How does offline mode work?

With offline mode we ensure that you can complete your training optimally.

You only need an active internet connection to start the workout. Once your workout has started, our offline mode ensures that your workout continues uninterrupted in your ‘Pain Cave’ even in the event of possible connection drops.

My weight is incorrect. Where can I update it?
MATS automatically uses the most recent entry of your health data to calculate your relative performance (W/kg). If your value is incorrect, check your last health data entry or simply add a new entry with your current weight.
My FTP is incorrect. Where can I update it?
MATS automatically takes the FTP from your training zones. If your value is incorrect, check your current setting under “More” → “Training zones”.
How can I upload my MATS workout to STRAVA?
Currently an upload is not yet possible. We are already working on providing an automatic upload of your MATS workouts to STRAVA in the future.
How can I change the difficulty of my workout?

In MATS you can easily adjust the difficulty of your workout to your daily form.

To do this, click the +/- buttons at the bottom left during the running workout to make your workout harder or easier.

How can I skip or repeat segments?

In MATS you can easily skip or repeat segments at any time.

Use the “circular arrow” buttons in the workout controls at the top edge of the screen.