Plateau Detection
Automatically identify when clients hit progress plateaus and get suggestions to break through.
Who This Is For
This guide is for coaches who want to proactively identify when clients' progress stalls. Plateaus are frustrating for clients and can lead to disengagement if not addressed promptly.
What This Feature Does
Weight Plateaus
Detects when a client's weight hasn't changed significantly over multiple weeks.
Strength Plateaus
Identifies when lifting numbers have stagnated without progression.
Measurement Plateaus
Tracks body measurements to spot when changes stop despite consistent effort.
Breakthrough Suggestions
AI-powered recommendations for programme adjustments to break through plateaus.
Why This Feature Exists
Plateaus are a normal part of fitness journeys, but they can be demoralising. Early detection helps you:
- Catch stalls before clients become frustrated
- Make timely programme adjustments
- Maintain client motivation and trust
- Demonstrate proactive, attentive coaching
- Reduce client churn due to lack of progress
How Detection Works
Data Analysis
The system analyses logged weights, measurements, and workout data over rolling time windows (typically 2-4 weeks).
Trend Calculation
Statistical analysis determines if changes are within normal fluctuation or represent a genuine plateau.
Alert Generation
When a plateau is detected, you receive an alert with the client's data and the type of plateau identified.
Suggestions Provided
Along with the alert, you get AI-generated suggestions for breaking the plateau based on the client's history and goals.
Types of Plateaus
Weight Loss Plateau
Client's weight hasn't decreased in 2+ weeks despite being in a deficit. Common causes: metabolic adaptation, water retention, or adherence issues.
Weight Gain Plateau
Client trying to gain weight has stalled. May need calorie increase or programme adjustment.
Strength Plateau
Lifts haven't progressed in 3+ weeks. May indicate need for deload, technique work, or programme change.
Body Composition Plateau
Measurements haven't changed despite consistent training. May be time for a diet break or training variation.
Breaking Through Plateaus
Common strategies the system may suggest:
Calorie Adjustment
Slight reduction for weight loss or increase for weight gain. Sometimes a "diet break" at maintenance helps reset.
Programme Variation
Change exercises, rep ranges, or training split to provide new stimulus.
Deload Week
Reduce volume/intensity temporarily to allow recovery and supercompensation.
Sleep & Stress Review
Check wearable data for sleep quality and recovery. External stress can stall progress.
Before making major changes, verify the client is actually tracking accurately. Many "plateaus" are actually tracking inconsistencies.
Viewing Plateau Alerts
Plateau alerts appear in multiple places:
- Dashboard: Quick view of all clients with detected plateaus
- Client Profile: Detailed plateau history and current status
- Notifications: Real-time alerts when new plateaus are detected
- AI Recommendations: Plateau-specific suggestions in the recommendations panel
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before a plateau is detected?
Typically 2-3 weeks of no significant change. The threshold varies by metric type and client history.
Can I adjust detection sensitivity?
Yes, in Settings → Alerts, you can adjust how sensitive the plateau detection is for your coaching style.
What if the plateau is expected?
You can dismiss alerts and mark them as "expected" (e.g., during a maintenance phase). Future alerts for that client will be adjusted.
Does this work without logged data?
The feature requires clients to log progress. Encourage consistent tracking for accurate plateau detection.
Plateaus are normal and temporary. The key is catching them early and making thoughtful adjustments rather than drastic changes.