How to use Pillar
So you've downloaded Pillar!
Have a look at the article below to help you get to grips with the app and start to make the most of your rides.
The Basics
Tell Pillar about yourself and you performance goals, whether it's a race, sportive, or you just want to climb better. Pillar will create you a unique training plan based on your info, and put your planned sessions into your calendar. You can export the prescribed workouts from Pillar to your Garmin device, or you can complete them manually on the turbo or the road.
When you do a new ride, Pillar imports the data from Strava or Garmin. To make this count as part of your training plan, pair your completed ride with your training plan's session using the 'pair' button.
You can then see an in-depth analysis of how your training the effect it's having on your form and fitness.
Your Home Hub
This is Pillar's main home screen, the centre for your training.
In the blue window, you are able to see your training focus for the week. This will change depending on where you are in your plan. Some weeks will have a focus on high-intensity work, whilst some will have a more gentle approach, to allow your body to adapt.
You can also see your progress towards your current goal along the orange bar, as well as your key stats such as this plan's completed rides, distance and days until your event.
Below you can see the next upcoming workout in your plan, as well as sessions you've already completed.
Your Calendar
The calendar screen shows you all the sessions Pillar has planned for you to work towards your goal. Click through each day to see your session.
You can change around your sessions, or even cancel a session easily using the 'three dots' button on the workout.
Dots under each date signify whether or not you've completed your training.
A pale coloured dot indicates an incomplete planned session.
A grey dot indicates a workout you've done that you have not paired with a Pillar session.
A brightly coloured dot indicates you've completed (and paired) a planned session from Pillar.
If you've connected your Garmin and/or Strava account, any ride or run you complete should automatically appear in Pillar.
To add an un-recorded session, click the plus button in the top right hand corner.
Here you'll also see the "I'm away" option, to add time when you're unable to train. Whether it's because you're sick, going on holiday, or will be away from your bike. Fill in this section, and Pillar will re-organise your plan to fit to you.
Your Session
Click through from the calendar screen to see each session in more detail. You'll see a graph of your planned output, as well as a breakdown of the different intervals.
If you've connected your Garmin account, you'll also see a button on this screen to export the workout to Garmin. From there, you'll be able to complete the planned session from your Garmin watch or computer.
Session Overview
You've completed your session, and it's now synced with Pillar from Strava or Garmin.
You can view your complete session within Pillar, and see its accuracy score (how well you executed the prescribed intervals).
Two graphs will show you how your actual heart rate and power stacked up against the plan, and if you reached your target time in each zone.
You'll also get an idea of how this session has had an affect on your progress towards your goal.
Performance evaluation
Along the bottom navigation bar, you can find your 'performance' section. Here you will see a breakdown of the different elements of your performance and fitness.
Click through each to see an evaluation of your readiness, freshness, training load and time in each zone.
Information hub
In your information hub, located at the bottom of the performance tab, you'll find a useful little area which helps to explain the science behind Pillar's training plans, which we've worked tirelessly - with world-class experts - to finesse.
