UltraCoach for Windows is used for the recording of multiple parameters for multi-sport training. It also uses “artificial intelligence technology” to incorporate the recorded workout data to analyze and propose workouts for bicycling, running, and swimming. You can track up to six sports including walking, running, biking, swimming, weight training, cross country skiing, aerobics etc. The version reviewed also has the capability to track heart rates.
The installation of this program was easy and without glitches via a CD using Windows 95 as the operating system. It is also available with floppy discs and can be used with Windows 3.1. The system requirements are simple: you need an IBM compatible PC a nd must have Windows 3.1 or higher and a CD player.
The great advantage of this software is its flexibility in tracking and analyzing different measurements for multiple sports. It is most suited for the athlete who likes to monitor distance, time, pace, heart rates, weight, how you feel, effort of workou t and also allows for comments on other conditions such as temperature outside, sleep patterns and time of day that you work out. The HRM version of the software allows manual input of heart rates or direct download using the Polar Vantage XL or the Card iosport HeartChart heart rate monitors. It is a multi-user program so it can also be used by coaches, trainers, sportsmedicine physicians and even cardiologists for tracking the progress of athletes or patients undergoing rehabilitation programs. It has the flexibility to be used by the novice athlete all the way to the professional athlete. The program allows you to set goals for each of the sports you monitor. The configuration is easy such that the tracking of different parameters can grow with your expertise as an athlete. The program does encourage you to be somewhat compulsive about recording all of your workouts. You will have to work out your own scenario for those days when you run, bike or swim for FUN and don’t keep track of distance, time o r heart rate. There is space for you to keep free form notes. Graphs can be made for any number of measurements that you track and this provides excellent feedback for self-coaching. The program also has a feature for tracking equipment usage and allowin g you to set a reminder for maintenance or replacement of your equipment.
This program was used over a two month period during training for a triathlon. The greatest criticism is for the proposed workouts by the electronic coach. The rationale for proposed workouts or resting days really requires extensive cataloging of as man y factors as possible but this can be done fairly quickly with pull down menus. This particular version is heavily dependent upon the HRM. The program does presume that you know a little bit about maximum and target heart rates used for training, thus th e novice athlete may not gain as much benefit from the coaching.
In summary, this program is an excellent diary and catalogue of workouts and equipment for all athletes and I would recommend it for that fact alone. Its coaching appears to be best suited for the athlete or professional that already knows quite a bit ab out training and parameters needed to follow such. The novice athlete may not benefit as much from the electronic coach.
Dr. Joseph Swafford, MD, is a cardiologist in Houston’s Texas Medical Center. He is a runner, having completed several marathons using Houston Fit’s marathon training program and is now training for his first triathlon.
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