After the process of periodization, one comes out the other end having made some tangible progress.
Pedestal, a startup whose product rests on the principle, is no exception.
The fit-tech startup was founded in Vancouver in 2022 by Sara Prestley and Peter Bonac, who leveraged the power of periodization to prepare for his ascent of the legendary Matterhorn.
But the method of periodization, while scientifically sound and used among professional athletes since the 1950s, has remained obscure to the layman.
Periodization—a system of fitness training that individualizes workout duration, muscle groups, heart rate zones, and recovery time—is an effective approach to improving athleticism. But it is one seldom used by everyday gym-goers.
Why? Well, it is reasonable to question the value of old-school periodization methods when one is not a professional athlete surrounded by a support team of coaches and trainers who handle the logistics.
Pedestal thus aims to simplify the periodization process and makes it accessible to everyone.
The B.C. startup uses software to customize fitness plans according to an individual’s goals and lifestyle. The app offers a range of strength, cardio, and recovery classes, adjusting the plan if you miss a workout. Plan types are designed to meet various fitness objectives like body composition, athletic performance, and event-based preparation.
“With Pedestal, users no longer need to worry about the time-consuming task of planning their workouts since our app does this for them,” the startup explains online. “Instead, they can focus on achieving their fitness goals while enjoying the benefits of a periodized training routine.”
At the heart of periodization is the concept of “supercompensation.” This is a physiological response to exercise that allows the body to overcompensate for stress, leading to increased muscle tissue, enhanced energy reserves, and an overall improvement in performance.
“During supercompensation, the body overcompensates for the stress by building more muscle tissue, increasing energy stores, and enhancing the ability to perform the same activity at a higher level,” states Pedestal.
There are multiple forms of periodization with different approaches to the length and focus of each training cycle and the progression of intensity and volume. Linear periodization follows a gradual increment in workout intensity and a corresponding decrement in workout volume over time, for example, while undulating periodization varies the intensity and volume of workouts on a daily or weekly basis. Block periodization, meanwhile, divides the training program into specific blocks, each dedicated to a particular training aspect such as strength, power, or endurance.
“Whether you’re an aspiring athlete or just starting out on your fitness journey, our fitness plans and classes enable you to reach your peak performance,” the company offers.
Since Techcouver last covered Pedestal one year ago, cofounder Prestley says her team has made “significant updates to the app’s design and functionality.”
These updates, based on user testing, include the addition of human workout instructors and enhanced heart rate zone functionality, which the entrepreneur believes “is something that sets us apart from other fitness apps.”
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