What Are Athlete Types?

How Xert describes different types of riders and understands what your training is working toward.

Many training platforms describe riders with vague labels like “sprinter” or “climber.” Xert takes a more precise, data-driven approach using Focus – the effort duration your recent training is trending toward.Athlete Types help Xert understand what kind of rider you want to become, and Focus helps explain what kind of rider your current training is shaping you into.

Quick Summary

  • Athlete Types represent specific effort durations (e.g., 2 min, 5 min, 20 min).
  • Focus describes the type of effort your training “felt like” physiologically.
  • You select an Athlete Type based on your goals – what you want to be good at.
  • Your Focus Rating shows what you’re currently training toward.
  • You can change your Athlete Type anytime your goals shift.

Athlete Types

Each Athlete Type corresponds to a specific Focus Duration – the typical length of the key effort required for success in that discipline.

  • Road Sprinter → ~2-minute Focus
  • Breakaway Specialist → ~5-minute Focus
  • GC Specialist → ~8-minute Focus
  • Time Trialist → ~20-minute Focus

If you’re training with the Xert Adaptive Training Advisor, you should choose an Athlete Type based on the kind of riding you care most about – the performances you want to excel at.

Focus Rating

Every ride you do has a Focus Rating – the effort duration the ride “felt like” from a physiological perspective. The Focus duration is calculated from the distribution of Low, High, & Peak XSS. For example:

  • A punchy group ride may show a 6-minute Focus.
  • A long, steady endurance ride may show a 20+ minute Focus.
  • A criterium race with repeated surges might show a 2-3 minute Focus

NOTE: Focus is not the duration of your event. It simply helps you understand how your ride’s strain was distributed across your three systems.

Why Athlete Type Matters

Your chosen Athlete Type tells Xert the direction you want your training to move over time.

  • Xert adjusts your recommended workouts and training targets accordingly.
  • Your Training Load balance (Low / High / Peak) will shift toward your chosen Focus.
  • Your overall progression aligns with the demands of your event type or goal.

You can change your Athlete Type anytime your goals change – it’s not a permanent label, just a way to guide your training.

You’re Ready to Move On

With Athlete Types, you now have a complete understanding of how Xert helps you discover your unique fitness profile:
your strengths, your fatigue, your strain, and the direction your training is moving.

You’re now ready to move into the Improve pillar and learn how Xert uses these insights to help you build fitness intelligently and efficiently.