TrainingPeaks: How to Add Athletes, Manage Permissions, and Onboard Effectively

How do I add someone to TrainingPeaks?

Adding an athlete to your TrainingPeaks coach account is a straightforward process that enables you to manage their training, analyze their data, and prescribe workouts effectively. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to establish a coaching relationship within the platform.

Understanding the TrainingPeaks Coach Account

TrainingPeaks is a sophisticated online platform designed for endurance athletes and coaches to plan, track, and analyze training. For coaches, the platform offers specialized features to manage multiple athletes, monitor their progress, and deliver personalized training plans. Adding an athlete is the foundational step to leveraging these powerful coaching tools. It establishes a secure, data-rich connection that facilitates informed decision-making and optimized performance.

Prerequisites for Adding an Athlete

Before you can add an athlete to your TrainingPeaks account, ensure you meet the following criteria:

• TrainingPeaks Coach Account: You must have an active TrainingPeaks Coach Edition account. This is distinct from a standard athlete account and provides the necessary administrative capabilities to manage clients.
• Athlete's Email Address: You will need the exact email address associated with your athlete's TrainingPeaks account. If the athlete does not yet have an account, they will be prompted to create one during the invitation process using the email you provide.
• Internet Access: A stable internet connection is required to access the TrainingPeaks platform.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding an Athlete

Follow these precise steps to successfully add an athlete to your TrainingPeaks coach account:

1. Log In to Your Coach Account:

   • Open your web browser and navigate to the TrainingPeaks website (www.trainingpeaks.com).
   • Enter your Coach Edition username and password to log in.

2. Navigate to the Athletes Section:

   • Once logged in, look for the "Athletes" tab or link, typically located in the top navigation bar or a side menu. Click on it to access your athlete management dashboard.

3. Initiate the "Add Athlete" Process:

   • On the Athletes page, you will usually find a button or link labeled "Add Athlete," "Invite Athlete," or a similar phrase. This is often prominently displayed or within a menu option like "New." Click this button.

4. Enter Athlete's Information:

   • A new window or form will appear. You will be prompted to enter the athlete's email address. Ensure this is the correct email they use or will use for their TrainingPeaks account.
   • Some forms may also allow you to specify the type of coaching relationship immediately (e.g., "Full Coaching," "Basic Monitoring"). If not, this can often be adjusted later.

5. Send the Invitation:

   • After entering the email, click the "Send Invitation" or "Add Athlete" button.
   • TrainingPeaks will send an email invitation to the athlete's provided email address.

6. Athlete Accepts the Invitation:

   • The athlete will receive an email from TrainingPeaks with a link to accept your coaching invitation. They must click this link and confirm the connection.
   • If the athlete does not have a TrainingPeaks account, they will be guided through the process of creating one before accepting the coaching relationship.

7. Confirm Connection on Your End:

   • Once the athlete accepts the invitation, their name will appear in your Athletes list. You may need to refresh your browser.
   • A status indicator (e.g., "Connected," "Active") will confirm the successful link. You can now access their training calendar, metrics, and start prescribing workouts.

Understanding Coach-Athlete Relationships and Permissions

TrainingPeaks offers different levels of integration and permission settings between a coach and an athlete. When you add an athlete, you establish a primary coaching relationship.

• Full Coaching Access: As a coach, you gain comprehensive access to your athlete's data, including daily metrics, historical performance, and the ability to schedule and modify their workouts directly on their calendar. You can also view their Training Stress Balance (TSB), Cumulative Training Load (CTL), and Acute Training Load (ATL) to manage fatigue and fitness.
• Athlete Premium Features: If your athlete has a Premium TrainingPeaks account, you will have access to all their premium features, such as the Annual Training Plan (ATP), Workout Builder, and advanced metrics. If the athlete has a Basic (free) account, you will still be able to push workouts to their calendar, but their access to certain analytical tools will be limited unless they upgrade.
• Permissions Management: You can manage the specific permissions for each athlete from your coach dashboard. This allows you to control what data they can see, what you can edit, and how much access you have to their account settings. This is crucial for maintaining privacy and appropriate boundaries.

Best Practices for Onboarding New Athletes

Effective athlete onboarding extends beyond simply adding them to the platform. Consider these best practices:

• Clear Communication: Inform your athlete about the process, what to expect from TrainingPeaks, and how to accept the invitation.
• Initial Data Setup: Guide your athlete in setting up their correct Heart Rate Zones, Power Zones, and Pace Zones within their TrainingPeaks profile. Accurate zones are critical for precise workout prescription and analysis.
• Athlete Profile Completion: Encourage your athlete to complete their personal profile, including sport-specific settings, equipment details, and any relevant medical information.
• Goal Setting: Utilize TrainingPeaks' Annual Training Plan (ATP) feature early on to establish long-term goals and structure the training year.
• Data Uploading Protocol: Ensure your athlete understands how to upload their workout data (e.g., syncing from a Garmin, Wahoo, or manually uploading files) to ensure you have timely and accurate information for analysis.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While adding an athlete is generally smooth, you might encounter minor issues:

• Invitation Not Received:
  • Check Spam Folder: Advise the athlete to check their email's spam or junk folder.
  • Verify Email Address: Double-check that you entered the correct email address.
  • Resend Invitation: TrainingPeaks allows you to resend the invitation from your Athletes list if it hasn't been accepted.
• Athlete Already Connected:
  • If an athlete is already connected to another coach, they may need to disconnect from that coach first before accepting your invitation. TrainingPeaks typically allows an athlete to be connected to only one primary coach at a time.
• Athlete Has No Account:
  • This is not an issue; TrainingPeaks will guide them to create a free Basic account during the invitation acceptance process. They can upgrade to Premium later if desired.

Conclusion

Adding an athlete to your TrainingPeaks coach account is the essential first step in leveraging this powerful platform for optimized coaching. By following these clear instructions and incorporating best practices for onboarding, you establish a robust digital foundation for effective training management, data analysis, and ultimately, enhanced athlete performance. This systematic approach ensures that both coach and athlete can maximize the benefits TrainingPeaks offers, fostering a data-driven path to achieving athletic goals.