Faced with the challenge of his local cycling coach Mapdec getting locked-down due to COVID-19, software developer John Jones decide to just code a new remote training app so he could stay on track with his fitness goals. The resulting Mapdec app progressed rapidly (let’s call John a man on a mission), and is now helping many more cyclists keep to their training plans under public health orders, even bringing free workout plans to many new to training indoors…
Who is Mapdec to start with?
Mapdec Cycle Works is a dedicated cycle sport fitness facility in the English Lake District, that normally offers personalized coaching services, cycling training & cross-training classes in their studio. They were Jones’ local cycling coaching center, and when they were ordered to close to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, he decided to do something about it.
Paul Vousden, who runs Mapdec Cycle Works, praised Jones for putting such hard work into helping his small business… “It’s amazing what he has achieved in such a short time and the support he continues to give at all hours of the day to keep enhancing the App and help our coaches and cyclists.”
And who is John Jones?
Well, John Jones is just your concerned neighborhood software development manager who works for an award-winning technology company Createc. He wanted to put his skill to service in his community, so when the UK went into lockdown John started working evenings & weekends to create an app to keep his local cycling coaches working for cyclist who needed help staying active. The app that he created allows the Mapdec coaches to share customized fitness & training programs for cyclists to follow, interacting within the virtual training environment.
As Mapdec coaches were threatened with losing their livelihood, John Jones said, “I wanted to come up with a solution which would mean the coaches would be able to carry on working and the cycling community would be able to stay together and have the inspiration and mentoring they need to keep active with their programmes. It’s really important for people’s motivation and physical and mental health and well-being to be able to carry on with their exercise routines during lockdown… And there’s a real community in cycling that I wanted to be able to keep together. We are social beings who like to interact with each other, and we also need that mental relief of being to be able to exercise. The App is a way of achieving that.”
Mapdec app: Free Training for Health during COVID-19
Now with the new app, Mapdec aims to keep offering the quality coaching advice you could normally only get in person with a private coach, but to a broader & isolated international audience. Plus, the app adds the benefits of an interactive community, peer learning, and shared costs for more detailed coaching services.
The app allows athletes to communicate directly with Mapdec’s 10 coaches regarding their selected training plans and personalized fitness targets (much like they would have in-person in the before-times, as seen above.) Plus, the app includes standard, off-the-shelf workouts for times when you can’t make it to join in on a scheduled group training session. Mapdec also uses the platform to share articles offering advice on how to manage your fitness over time.
There are also a range of exercise routines to follow beyond just riding a trainer indoors, including: squats, deadlifts, kettlebells & yoga… all targeting strength building, mobility, fitness & endurance.
Mapdec free virtual training – pricing & availability
Free in the title should give you a clue, but during the COVID-19 pandemic Mapdec says their virtual group training will remain free. It is however a controlled community with just three different levels – Youth, Beginner & Advanced – so you need approval from their coaching team to join in.
Not surprisingly, they’ve seen exponential growth in interest, so it will take some time for more new free users to get accepted into the community. The Mapdec App itself that Jones created is also free, available to download on either iOS & Android devices for any cyclists, anywhere in the world who are interested in staying fit and healthy.
