HAJIME! Having competed, captained and coached Karate throughout my life, it’s a command that still gives me a burst of adrenalin, a sense of focus, and a state of readiness for whatever is going to happen in the minutes ahead. Meaning “Begin!” it signifies the start of a competitive bout, when all of your training and preparation is put to the test. This is the beginning of your journey with asensei, but it’s also the next step for us to bring our vision for Connected Coaching to market.
Welcome to asensei.
Last year, we worked with a small group of early adopters, our "Senpai", to improve the quality of understanding that asensei had in human movement and movement coaching. Now, we're giving you the opportunity to go the last leg with us, as we teach asensei specifically how to deliver coaching in rowing, mobility, strength and conditioning and TRX. asensei has, and will continue, to learn to coach by watching Eric Murray, Justin Russ and Dr Jena Gatses coach you.
Below, the team and I are going to share with you everything you need to get ready for your (app)arel arriving in the coming days. We want to guide you through your first experience of asensei to make sure it goes smoothly, and to step in and help you if you get stuck.
We want to give you a glimpse of what Connected Coaching with asensei is like, before encouraging you to workout with us in various sports and activities, and share your workout with us. We’ll continue to offer you personal coaching from our coaches, augmented with ever more workouts and capabilities that only those with (app)arel can enjoy.
It’s time to start training together.
Hajime!
Steven
CEO, asensei.
GETTING READY FOR YOUR (APP)AREL ARRIVING
There are some steps you can take before your (app)arel arrives, that should ensure things go smoothly.
1. Install & Run the latest version of the asensei app
The very latest version of the asensei app (version 1.15) in the App Store includes functionality that will be unlocked if you own asensei (app)arel.
Go to asensei on the App Store and download the app if you do not have it installed on your iPad or iPhone already. If you have the app already, go to this page and update to make sure you have the latest version.
2. (APP)AREL TERMS & CONDITIONS
When you sign in, you are accepting the terms and conditions for asensei.
3. CHARGE YOUR SENSOR MODULES
You will find 2 modules in your box, one for your shirt and one for your pants. These modules contain the battery, as well as the processor and bluetooth devices that translate your posture and movement from sensors woven throughout your clothing into something asensei can understand.
We also provided 2 charging cables which can plug into any USB charger. You should get into the habit of charging your modules after every use - partly to establish the discipline of removing them so you don’t lose them or inadvertently wash them.
As the modules are charging they will flash red. When they are fully charged, but plugged into power, the light will turn to solid red.
Please charge both modules fully before your initial session.
SIGN UP FOR UPDATES
asensei’s new ‘all-in-one’ offer gives full access to all our coaches programs. It’s a series of lessons – building fitness and technique as you’re guided, monitored and corrected through these programs by asensei.
YOUR ORIENTATION SESSION
We've designed a comprehensive orientation program that will tell you everything you need to know to care for and workout with your asensei (app)arel. This is a self-service experience that you may want to read before your (app)arel arrives, which you should follow in detail the first time you want to workout with asensei.
Allow yourself 30 minutes to an hour to setup for the first time. If you have any technical difficulties whatsoever, reach out to support@asensei.com and one of our team will arrange time to walk you through your orientation.
WORKING OUT WITH YOUR (APP)AREL
We encourage you to continue to take advantage of your monthly personal coaching sessions with Eric Murray (Rowing), Justin Russ (TRX) and Dr Jena Gatses (Mobility and Strength Training).
Importantly, we'd like you to be wearing your asensei (app)arel for these personal coaching sessions, as they will increasingly accelerate the pace of feedback our coaches provide you, as well as allowing us to train asensei to coach you better.
In addition, you'll start to receive more and more Connected Coaching from asensei while wearing your (app)arel, that does not require intervention of our coaches.
These capabilities will be released to you over time, starting this week, and described below.
CONNECTED TRX COACHING
We have trained asensei to understand an ever-growing repertoire of over 50 different TRX exercises.
You can find the following workout programs in the app by tapping the 'hey asensei' button [+] at the bottom left of the 'up next' screen and then tap 'workouts' and scroll to find the workouts.
THE TRX "DAILY 8"
You had the opportunity to learn and practice the DAILY8 program with Coach Justin Russ. You will find a program called DAILY8 in your workouts, that will allow asensei to guide, coach and count you through the DAILY8 program.
Coming next: The more you practice the DAILY8, the more asensei will challenge and progress you in your TRX skill level!
TRX SIXES AND NINES
You'll find 2 more workout programs called SIXES and NINES that allow you to increase your knowledge and repertoire of TRX with a progressive series of full-body workouts for your arms, legs and core.
We're giving you an initial library of 60 workouts, which will continue to grow.
● The SIXES program challenges you with 6 exercises per workout
● The NINES program challenges you with 9 exercises per workout
As you progress through the workouts, asensei will introduce new exercises to challenge your body and mind, periodizing earlier exercises to make sure you remain competent at them. Like the ABOVE AND BEYOND rowing workouts, the focus of these workouts is less coaching, and more putting your training into practice.
Work from the start of either program and you'll be introduced to TRX exercises in a natural progression that will become more challenging as you become more accomplished. The SIXES program offers a slightly less challenging route to get started and NINES will give you a tougher series of workouts with more focus on volume.
TRX PERSONAL COACHING
Make sure and check in with Justin from time to time, for feedback and coaching on your TRX form.
Coming next: an exercise library so that you can isolate and learn any of the exercises in asensei's repertoire. Real-time cues and corrections to your form. Workout summaries that log your sets and reps, with coaching tips to improve before your next practice. Progressions and regressions that match difficulty with your capability.
CONNECTED ROWING COACHING
ROWING PERSONAL COACHING
Continue to work with Eric on personal coaching that will give you good form, and free speed.
Coming next: real-time form analysis with asensei, and a library of drills and exercises led by asensei to correct your technique.
CONNECTED MOBILITY COACHING
MOBILITY+ PERSONAL COACHING
Continue to check in with Dr Jena Gatses for a mobility screen, and recommendations for a mobility program that will address your opportunities for improvement.
Coming next: real-time mobility screen. Guided mobility workouts with real-time coaching and correction of your technique and form. Workout summaries that measure your mobility improvements over time.
CONNECTED <YOUR SPORT HERE> COACHING
Do you practice a sport or activity that you'd like asensei to learn to coach you in. We can help with that. Learn how to create a Performance Capture that you can share with us, so we can investigate how to support you.
● (APP)AREL PERFORMANCE CAPTURE
YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT
If you have any difficulties or challenges, you can always find us at support@asensei.com where one of our team will make sure we get you up and running, whether that's by email or jumping into a video conference with you and getting you going.
We're excited to be on this next part of the asensei journey with you.