The problem with traditional training plans

For most cyclists, the options for structured training were limited:

• Static PDF plans: You could download a 12-week plan online, but the moment you got sick, went on holiday, or had a busy work week, the structure fell apart. These plans don’t adapt.

• Hiring a coach: This is a fantastic option for riders with big goals, but not everyone needs or can afford that level of support. Many cyclists just want some guidance to make steady progress.

Without either of these, most people fell into the same trap: riding easy rides too hard, and hard rides not hard enough. The result? A lot of effort but very little real improvement.

The idea behind JOIN

The JOIN app already existed before I got involved but it had a completely different purpose. At the time, it was more about organising group rides than providing training structure. Together with a small team, we decided to pivot JOIN into something new: an adaptive training app.

The concept was simple but powerful: take the daily decisions I made as a coach - adjusting training plans, balancing intensity with recovery, setting the right goals and scale that into an algorithm that could help thousands of cyclists, not just the handful I could coach personally.

In 2019, we started developing the first version of JOIN. At that time, there were far fewer AI tools available, so the system relied purely on algorithms. Compared to today’s version, it was basic but it was the starting point. We spent more than a year testing, refining, and pushing the limits of what was possible. Then, in October 2020, we launched JOIN’s first adaptive training plans. It was a massive improvement over the static PDFs and generic schedules riders were used to. That breakthrough marked the shift from a simple concept into a true game-changer for cyclists.

Early days and first growth

At the start, JOIN was built by a very small team. We spent more than a year fine-tuning before releasing the first live version.

Growth was gradual at first. We launched after the first COVID lockdowns, so unlike many fitness apps, we didn’t get a pandemic boost. But as cyclists began trying JOIN, something clicked: this wasn’t just another PDF plan or a copy of what the pros were doing. It was flexible, adaptive, and realistic.

Things picked up even more when we launched the Beter Worden podcast with former pro Laurens ten Dam and host Stefan Bolt. The podcast wasn’t about promoting JOIN directly, it was about sharing practical training tips, science, and pro insights. But naturally, it helped people understand why structured, adaptive training could change their riding and it drew attention to JOIN.

What makes JOIN different

At its core, JOIN solves a few key challenges that most cyclists face:

1. Adaptive training: Your plan adjusts to your availability, performance, and even how hard a session felt (Rate of Perceived Exertion). Miss a workout? Swap it for a group ride? No problem, the plan adapts.

2. Balance of intensity and recovery: JOIN makes sure you don’t fall into the common trap of riding too hard, too often. Easy days stay easy, and hard days are designed to really count.

3. Flexibility: You’re not locked into a rigid plan. If your life changes, whether it’s a busy week at work, bad weather, or a newborn baby, JOIN adjusts instead of punishing you for skipping sessions.

4. Simplicity: Workouts are designed to be easy to follow, indoors or outdoors. No overcomplicated 40-step interval sets that only make sense on a trainer.

The philosophy is simple: keep training consistent, make progress sustainable, and never lose the fun of cycling.

The JOIN training philosophy

One of the biggest mistakes cyclists make is overthinking the details and underestimating consistency. Progress doesn’t come from hitting the perfect interval set once, it comes from stringing together weeks, months, and years of steady training.

JOIN’s philosophy is based on three pillars:

• Consistency over perfection: Not every ride has to be perfect. A string of 7/10 workouts beats three months of 10/10 efforts followed by burnout.

• Polarized training balance: Easy rides should truly be easy, while hard rides should push you properly. JOIN helps you strike that balance.

• Adaptation to real life: Training should fit your life, not the other way around. Whether you have 3 hours a week or 12, JOIN gives you a plan that works.

Looking ahead: the future of JOIN

Looking ahead, our goal for JOIN is simple: to become the go-to platform for cyclists who want to keep progressing and achieving their goals. Right now, people often see JOIN as a “training plan,” but in the next few years, we want it to be much more than that. We see JOIN as a training tool - something you can use every day to know exactly what to do, without the pressure of sticking to a rigid weekly or monthly plan.

That means lowering the barriers to structured training. Not every cyclist needs complicated interval sets that only work on a smart trainer. JOIN should guide you in a way that’s easy, flexible, and realistic, whether that’s structured intervals, tracking your progression, or giving you simple insights about what to do next.

In five years, we want JOIN to be the platform that makes cycling training both effective and enjoyable. A tool that adapts to your life, keeps you motivated year-round, and helps you improve in a sustainable way. Whatever your goal - boosting FTP, preparing for a Gran Fondo, or just staying fit, JOIN should make the path clear and simple.

Final word

JOIN was born out of two decades of coaching experience and one simple belief: that every cyclist deserves guidance that adapts to them. Training shouldn’t be about guessing, burning out, or feeling guilty. It should be about steady progress, clear goals, and enjoying the ride.

Whether you’re new to cycling or chasing peak performance, JOIN helps you train smarter, ride stronger, and stay motivated 12 months a year.