Idea

Athletes love to record our training. They want to know how far they have run, how high the heart rate has been, and so on. As recording tool they use a GPS-running-watch or a smartphone with a recording app. Cyclists use cyclometers, and even swimmers record their training thanks to watches with acceleration sensors.

What do we do with all those data? The app of our choice or the internet portal bundled to our sports watch presents a list of our activities, draws the track onto a map, and visualizes speed and heart rate in a plot. However, the functionality often ends at this point. Running distance in the last, pre-last, ... month or year? Often not available. It remains the option to use a dedicated analysis application on a computer. While often very powerful, frequently also complicated to use.

Matrix with analysis options before Trainalyse

analysis systemExamplesAdvantagesDisadvantages
in the recording appNike, Runtastic, Polar Beat, ...
  • simplicity, data available without import.
  • functionality limited.
  • bound to one "system" (partly without export possibility).
web portalsStrava, RunKeeper, Movescount, Garmin Connect, Runtastic, ...
  • simplicity, data mostly uploaded by default.
  • visually mostly well presented.
  • mostly multiple sports.
  • no complex evaluations. sometimes in exchange for a monthly fee.
  • often limited configurability.
  • usability on mobile devices limited.
computer applicationsSportsTracks (PC), Rubitrack (Mac), ...
  • extensive analysis.
  • configurable.
  • independent from data source (file based).
  • many sports.
  • often poorly organized.
  • simple overviews often missing.
  • not mobile.
  • import necessary.
analysis appsConnectStats (iOS), Rubitrack (iOS, since 2014)
  • independent from data source (file based).
  • many sports.
  • design and organisation suboptimal.
  • lacking configurability.
  • import necessary.

This overview is certainly not complete, but it shows the following:

  • The "basis evaluations" provided by recording apps or the web portal belonging to a sport watch are best suited for someone who loves it simple. However, the functionality is often limited with regards to more complex analytics.
  • Comprehensive analysis on a computer is possible but often complicated.
  • A problem arises for people searching for comprehensive analysis on a mobile device. The web portals are not user friendly on mobile screens (lots of scrolling) and the few available apps are often very technical and are lacking functionality.

Trainalyse tries to solve the lack of a comprehensive analysis solution on a mobile device by targeting for the following functionality:

  • Proper performance and usability on mobile devices (no scrolling).
  • A comprehensive and appealing history: e.g. how much did I run per year/month?
  • A simple to use zone statistic: How long did I run in a certain heart rate/ speed / ... - range?
  • Comparability between different activities.
  • Extensive configurability.
  • A color-visualization on a map without color jumps from segment to segment and that is not scaled automatically.

A more detailed description of the offered functionality is available here: Features