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Just a few weeks ago, Wahoo announced the opening of its brand new Sports Science Centre in Boulder, Colorado.
With it came numerous claims, vague in their respective detail, that the new facility would provide benefits to the Wahoo customer, such as the quote on the Wahoo website, which says the centre will “develop effective protocols for everyday athletes, delivered in the Wahoo Systm training app.”
However, on face value, the facility appeared to be exclusive; reserved for Wahoo’s sponsored pro athletes or, at a stretch, those based within reach of Boulder. Wanting more detail, I caught up with Wahoo’s Head of Sports Science, Neal Henderson, to get the lowdown of exactly what’s there, what it’s for, and most importantly, how it’s able to benefit Wahoo’s paying customers from around the world.
The short answer to this question is “research” but the long answer unearthed Wahoo’s long-term play, which, if it comes to fruition, suggests an exciting future ahead for data-driven cyclists.
“We are basically a research and development facility,” explained Henderson. “Predominantly, the research and development is for improving the products that we have, both from the software offerings within Systm and RGT, as well as all Wahoo hardware, and the interactions and integrations within each.”
But before we dive into what those interactions and integrations are exactly, let’s take a look at exactly what fills the new Sports Science Centre.
The first thing Henderson mentions is a swim flume; a continuous pool that enables coaches to analyse the mechanics of an athlete’s movement. Henderson himself began his career as a swim coach, and his eyes light up at its mention.
There’s also a large area dedicated to laboratory-style testing: VO2Max testing, Lactate testing, core temperature sensor (using both the Core brand and otherwise) testing, and so on. Do you know how much fat and carbohydrate you burn at a given intensity? Neither do we, but Wahoo can find out.
There’s also a room dedicated to dialling bike fit; a strength room laden with free weights, ropes, bands and more; podcasting studios and conference rooms; as well as a studio filled with Kickr Bikes, suggesting Wahoo has its eyes on the Peloton model of spin-style workouts.
As for how all that translates into an improved experience for Wahoo customers, a clue lies in Wahoo’s existing product portfolio: Indoor cycling hardware such as turbo trainers and smart bikes, power…
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