Training Load and Fatigue

Stride tracks two key numbers that help you understand how your training is going: Load and Fatigue. Both appear on stat cards at the top of your dashboard and on the Training Load chart below them. The cards show whole numbers.

What is Load?#

Load represents your cumulative training load - how much training stress you have built up over recent weeks. It is calculated as a weighted average of your training score over the past 42 days, giving more weight to recent sessions.

A higher load means you have been training consistently and building volume. A lower load means you have been training less. Load changes gradually because it reflects a longer window of training.

On the dashboard, your current Load is compared against your Load 30 days ago, so you can see whether you are building or tapering.

What is Fatigue?#

Fatigue is your Load minus your acute load. Acute load is a weighted average of your training score over the past 7 days, so it reacts quickly to recent sessions, while Load moves slowly. Fatigue is measured at the start of each day, before that day's training counts.

When your recent training is above what you are used to, acute load climbs past Load and Fatigue goes negative. The more negative it is, the more tired you are likely to be. As you rest, acute load falls back and Fatigue rises towards zero and then above it. So a higher Fatigue number means you are fresher, not more tired.

The Fatigue value is colour-coded on the stat card, the calendar and the Training Load chart:

• Amber - Above -10. You are fresh: either tapering on purpose, or not training enough relative to your Load to keep building it.
• Green - From -30 to -10. The target zone for most training. Your recent training is above your usual load by a manageable amount, which is what builds Load.
• Red - Below -30. Your recent training has been very heavy relative to your Load. Keep an eye on how you feel and consider extra recovery.

On the dashboard, your current Fatigue is compared against yesterday so you can see daily changes.

Training Score#

Both Load and Fatigue are built from your training score. Every activity you complete is assigned a training score based on the duration, intensity, and type of session. Harder and longer sessions produce higher training scores. These scores feed into the Load and Fatigue calculations automatically.

Strength sessions count too. Once you log the sets, the session is scored from the weight you moved relative to your body weight, and it feeds Load and Fatigue like any ride or run. Strength Training explains the score.

The Training Load Chart#

The Training Load chart plots your Load as a smooth line over time, with Fatigue on its own scale in the colours above. You can also switch on an Acute load line. Hover over any point to see the exact values for that day, to one decimal place, plus any activities you completed. If you have planned training in the future, the projected load is shown as a dashed line.

Reading Fatigue Over Time#

Watching Fatigue over time is useful for spotting patterns. You might see it drop into the red during heavy training blocks, then climb back into the green or amber during recovery weeks.

How to Use Load and Fatigue#

• Building load - Consistent training over weeks will gradually increase your load. This is a good thing and shows you are building a training base.
• Managing fatigue - If your Fatigue stays in the red for too long, you may be overreaching. Plan recovery days or easier weeks to let it climb back into the green.
• Tapering - Before a target event, you want to keep Load high while Fatigue rises towards zero or into the amber. That combination means you are fit but fresh.
• Returning from a break - If you have taken time off, your Load will have dropped. Build back gradually, because a sudden jump in training pushes Fatigue sharply into the red.