Vertical

Description

Vertical is an AI running coach that builds a personalized running plan grounded in your own training and recovery data plus real coaching experience. Unlike apps that hand you a static plan, Vertical is built around a coach you can actually talk to: you onboard with a real conversation by chat or voice, covering goals, schedule and injury history that a watch can't measure.

Every decision combines your training data with a curated collection of over 500 peer-reviewed sports-science papers on periodization, recovery and injury prevention, applied to your current level. Vertical connects directly to watches such as Garmin, COROS, Polar and Suunto, syncing runs, heart rate, HRV and sleep automatically, and reads signals like HRV trends, sleep and training load. When you miss a run, feel tired or your week changes, the plan adapts and rebuilds around your reality rather than breaking, and after each run your coach analyzes the session and adjusts what comes next, pushing workouts to your watch.

Vertical starts with a free 3-minute training assessment that analyzes your history and highlights what's holding you back, with no credit card required. Vertical PRO adds the full adaptive coach, unlimited coach conversations, daily HRV-aware adjustments and post-run debriefs, priced at $25 per month after a 7-day trial. It also integrates with AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude over MCP.

Vertical's Core Features

• Conversational onboarding and coaching by chat or voice

• Adaptive plans grounded in 500+ peer-reviewed sports-science papers

• Direct sync with Garmin, COROS, Polar and Suunto

• HRV-, sleep- and load-aware daily plan adjustments

• Automatic post-run analysis and next-session adjustments

• Plans that rebuild when you miss runs or your week changes

• Free 3-minute training assessment

• MCP integration with ChatGPT and Claude

How to use Vertical?

1. 1

   Take the free assessment: Get a 3-minute training analysis of your history and limiters.

2. 2

   Connect your watch: Link Garmin, COROS, Polar or Suunto to sync runs, HR, HRV and sleep.

3. 3

   Talk to your coach: Onboard by chat or voice, sharing goals, schedule and injury history.

4. 4

   Follow your plan: Run your sessions, pushed to your watch, and adjust days as needed.

5. 5

   Adapt after each run: Let the coach analyze your data and rebuild upcoming sessions.

Vertical's Use Cases

• Personalized race training
• Training around a busy life
• Injury-aware coaching
• Understanding your training

FAQ from Vertical

• How is Vertical different from apps like Runna or Garmin Coach?

  Those apps generate a plan and adjust paces as fitness changes. Vertical is built around a coach you can talk to; every decision is grounded in your training data plus 500+ peer-reviewed papers, and the plan rebuilds when you miss a run or mention a niggle.

• Which watches and devices work with Vertical?

  Vertical connects directly to Garmin, COROS, Polar and Suunto, syncing runs, heart rate, HRV and sleep automatically with no manual uploads.

• What happens if I miss a run or my week changes?

  You never fail a Vertical plan; it adapts. Tell your coach you're traveling, tired or short on time, and the week is rebuilt around your reality while keeping your goal on track.

• Do I need a running watch to use Vertical?

  No. A watch gives richer data, but you can start by talking through a recent race or your typical effort levels, and Vertical derives your paces and zones from that conversation.

• Is Vertical right for beginners?

  Yes. The coaching approach spans first-time 5k runners to world champions, and every plan is set to your current level rather than a template.

• How much does Vertical cost?

  The training assessment is free and takes 3 minutes with no credit card. Vertical PRO, with the full adaptive coach, is $25 per month after a 7-day free trial, and you can cancel anytime.