PEAR Sports aims to eliminate the distraction and the difficulty of interpreting and understanding heart rate data by providing audible coaching prompts that adapt according to the progress of a training session. These are delivered via earphones and are based on the user’s fitness levels, goals and the body’s response to the workout, making sure they are always training optimally.
As a relatively new player in the ever-changing coaching/training category, we spoke with Christian Schauf, VP of Sales and Marketing at PEAR Sports to find out how this fast-growing company is now aiming to take training to the next level…
triathlonbusiness.com (TriBiz): Perhaps you can start with a bit of an overview of your business.
Christian Schauf (CS): PEAR is essentially a smart training system that coaches you in real-time. We are creating the ultimate workout experience and from this our intuitive software makes sure you’re always training optimally.
PEAR started with a simple vision – to help athletes train smarter and enjoy it so that they get the most out of each workout and accomplish their goals, whatever these may be.
Our CEO’s previous company was called Ultimate Ears. The company worked with renowned endurance coaching specialist Chris Carmichael, with technology offering in-ear prompts for cyclists specifically. This was the idea that helped shape PEAR – taking custom training to anyone anytime.
Having got the basics right, we’ve adapted and evolved the technology. Ultimately, PEAR is not just about numbers and data. It’s about training efficiently.
TriBiz: So you feel that training efficiency rather than training volume is your USP?
CS: Ultimately an athlete has to train efficiently if they want to keep injury at bay and want to see real improvement. In recent years we have seen an explosion in tracking devices. So, all the lifestyle through to hard-core athletes out there are getting access to a wealth of data. But a review in Wired magazine summed up the challenge perfectly.
Having looked at an activity tracker, Wired said, ‘Thanks for telling me what I’ve done, but please tell me more about what I should do.’
This is at the heart of the PEAR system. If an athlete has the data they need, they also need to be guided as to what they should do next.
Heart rate based training has long been acknowledged as one of the most accurate and effective training methods for reaching athletic and fitness performance goals. But, understanding how to plan and interpret heart rate based workouts can be tedious, confusing and time consuming. That’s where PEAR comes in.
TriBiz: So, talk us through the PEAR technology.
CS: A user simply downloads the app for iPhone or Android and fills out their profile via the app specifying what they’re interested in: cycling, running, etc.
PEAR then curates a workout. The user fires up their music, and a world-class coach takes it from there, providing real-time audio coaching directly into the ear via the user’s headphones.
Previously there were individual workouts and training plans, but we recognise that life happens. The user may be time-poor at a particular point in the day. So, if a mum is waiting to pick-up her kids she can log into PEAR and have a workout that fits to the time she has available there and then.
TriBiz: How does PEAR adapt the workout on the fly?
CS: We’ve built the curation engine in the software to adapt the audio experience. So, if on a particular workout you’re being guided through the session by world-class coach and fitness expert Matt Fitzgerald, for example, the software will monitor what the body is doing. If, by assessing the heart rate data, you’re working too hard, a prompt from Matt will come in and say ‘slow down’ or ‘take it easy’.
Likewise, if you’re not picking up the pace when you should be, Matt will tell you to pick it up!
TriBiz: So, multiple audio prompts are pre-recorded?
CS: Yes, we work with each coach to record thousands of prompts per workout. The software then selects the prompt so that it is appropriate in real-time.
That’s a big difference to what else is out there. We’re giving the appropriate prompt relative to the type of athlete and their specific training moment. PEAR lets you train efficiently and effectively, whether you’ve started running for the first time, or if you’re a Boston Marathon qualifier.
TriBiz: How far do you think this technology will go?
CS: We are constantly innovating. Our mantra is ‘hands free, eyes’ free and we want the athlete to be able to focus on their workout – given the correct prompts when needed. That being said, we do have initiatives in the pipeline where we have introduced visual prompts. So, in cycling, we are working with a leading bike brand on a visual interface for a Bluetooth sensor-based device. This will link with a phone and offer some great functionality.
But our focus remains, primarily, delivering the best coaching tools and guidance to the athlete. We see audio as the best medium for this.
One really cool feature in PEAR is our calculation of VO2 Max [the measure of the maximum volume of oxygen that an athlete can use]. We have a model that calculates VO2 Max with only a 6-7% variance on lab tests.
Our model also involves a very simple set of steps. With audio guides from [US long distance runner] Deena Kastor, the athlete performs a 15 minute easy workout overall. They just have to run 5 minutes in zone 1, followed by 10 minutes in zone 2.
With a linked-up heart rate monitor, PEAR’s algorithm will calculate the athlete’s VO2 Max. This is another awesome opportunity for the endurance athlete community. There is no need for a lab test and we offer a highly accurate model for VO2 Max, which is of course a key point of reference from a training point of view. We can then guide the athlete on from here to deliver fitness gains.
TriBiz: How much does PEAR cost the athlete?
CS: The app can be downloaded for free and upon sign-up there’s a one month free trial. To gain the benefit from all the features the cost is US$30 for a year’s subscription. That’s less than a monthly gym subscription. And, unlike gyms we see a high level of retention and usage of the app.
Typically an active gym user will lapse every two months. They lose their connection with the gym for whatever reason. For PEAR, the engagement is at least every week, and the athlete continues to use PEAR throughout the year. This level of engagement is valuable for our partners, such as the Ragnar Relay Series, Trigger Point, Warrior Dash, the Minnesota Wild and those in the run specialty retail area.
Coupled with workout recommendations, we can also recommend products. Although, of course, the engagement with athletes, particularly when endorsing or recommending other products has to be organic and authentic. The coach can drop in a mention of a favourite product when it’s in-context and that is fine. These guys know their athlete base and know how to make those kind of drop-in comments.
Also, as a trusted source of information and insight, the coach is in a perfect position to endorse or recommend products that can ultimately help age group athletes.
TriBiz: And the coaches you work with, how is your relationship structured with them?
CS: Essentially we offer significant incentives based on downloads. In the triathlon space, we work with big names such as IRONMAN World Champion Mirinda ‘Rinny’ Carfrae; and Timothy O’Donnell. With Tim we have partnered to produce some cool cadence based cycling workouts, for example.
Coaches also provide written content in addition to their professional expertise via the audio element. This populates our blog and further helps to spread the message that the coach wants to put out.
TriBiz: Coupled with coaches, you’ve formed a number of company partnerships too. Can you talk through these?
CS: We have had some other interesting alliances already on the event side. With imATHLETE, there was an opportunity to tie-up with their huge database of events and athletes. They needed some training and guidance for athletes. So, we formed an exclusive partnership for event training and race day coaching.
Our deal with Timex came about in recognition that there is a group of people who don’t want to run with their phones. So, we built PEAR into a Timex watch. Here, the watch can be the primary vehicle for prompts. Although, to get the best from PEAR, the athlete should still train with their phone – listening into audio prompts and moderating the workout according to the software engine.
Both of the above partnerships have given PEAR a nice opportunity to expand. We will also look to be on the Apple Watch shortly. Although, we shall go on a step-by-step basis with this – ensuring that the link with audio can be retained and optimized.
TriBiz: Any other developments on the horizon?
CS: There is a lot going on and some really exciting developments for our business – not least the expansion of our user base through the main PEAR Sports platform!
In terms of other areas, we act as a sponsor for events, such as the LA Marathon. This helps with athlete engagement and building awareness.
Although, perhaps the biggest opportunity is having coaches on board as partners with the PEAR platform. We’re looking to provide a way for coaches to build their own coaching programs through PEAR – and this presents yet another scalable opportunity!
About PEAR Sports
PEAR Sports aims to eliminate the distraction and the difficulty of interpreting and understanding heart rate data by providing audible coaching based on the user’s fitness levels, goals and their body’s response to the workout, making sure they are always training optimally. With thousands of workouts spanning dozens of sports, PEAR Sports notes that its users have access to ‘the world’s largest audio-based coaching library, all accessible from their smartphone.’
