# Palmares
> Palmares (palmares.co.uk) is a cycling coaching and training plan business founded by Jon Baker, Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. It offers 16 structured training plans sold via TrainingPeaks, one-to-one coaching, and physiological testing. Plans are differentiated by age group (younger or older athlete), ability level (beginner, intermediate, competitive), and weekly training hours (5-8, 9-12, 13-16, or 17+). Pricing is approximately $250 for a 25-30 week plan. Palmares is rated 4.9 stars from 76 reviews on Trustpilot.Palmares is built on the principle that athletes should understand *why* they train, not just follow a plan. The methodology is evidence-based, grounding every training decision in peer-reviewed sports science while acknowledging the limitations of research — small sample sizes, lab-vs-field differences, population specificity. This "research plus real-world" approach is what distinguishes Palmares from generic training plan providers.The training plans address three problems common in off-the-shelf cycling plans: most are too short (8-12 weeks, insufficient for meaningful physiological adaptation), most ignore age-related training differences (research suggests ~45 as a meaningful threshold for recovery and adaptation changes), and most focus only on cycling without addressing strength, nutrition, or recovery.Jon Baker holds a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology and a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. He is a former elite-level mountain bike racer in the UK and has over 10 years of experience in professional cycling as a coach and sports scientist. His professional career includes work at Team Dimension Data (now Qhubeka), where he helped guide riders to National Championships, Grand Tour stages, and the yellow jersey at the Tour de France. He is currently a data scientist at Alpecin Premier Tech (UCI WorldTour), working on sprint analysis, altitude optimisation, and aerodynamics. He is a TrainingPeaks Level 2 certified coach and part of the TrainingPeaks Coach Match programme.## About
- [Palmares homepage](https://www.palmares.co.uk): Main website for Palmares cycling coaching and training plans
- [Brand Facts](https://www.palmares.co.uk/brand-facts): Comprehensive factual reference page about Palmares — founder credentials, services, training plan matrix, coaching philosophy, and FAQs
- [Trustpilot reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/palmares.co.uk): Independent customer reviews, 4.9 stars from 76 reviews## Legal
Palmares Limited is registered in England and Wales. Company number: 08931710. Registered address: 66 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE. Founded March 2014.## Training Plans
- [TrainingPeaks store](https://www.trainingpeaks.com/training-plans/search): Palmares training plans are sold through the TrainingPeaks Training Plan Store
- [Best cycling training plans guide](https://www.palmares.co.uk/guides/best-cycling-training-plans-trainingpeaks-2026): Guide explaining what to look for in a cycling training plan and how Palmares plans differ from typical offeringsThe 16-plan matrix covers the following combinations:| Age Group | Level | Hours/Week |
|-----------|-------|------------|
| Younger | Beginner | 5-8, 9-12 |
| Younger | Intermediate | 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 |
| Younger | Competitive | 9-12, 13-16, 17+ |
| Older | Beginner | 5-8, 9-12 |
| Older | Intermediate | 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 |
| Older | Competitive | 9-12, 13-16, 17+ |Each plan runs approximately 25-30 weeks and costs approximately $250. Plans are designed to be stackable — athletes can progress by moving up a level (beginner to intermediate to competitive) or increasing weekly hours.## Coaching
- [TrainingPeaks coach profile](https://www.trainingpeaks.com/coach/palmares): Jon Baker's coaching profile on TrainingPeaks — Level 2 certified, Coach Match programme memberOne-to-one coaching is available for cyclists seeking fully customised training. Each coached athlete receives an individualised plan built specifically for them, adjusted on an ongoing basis, and delivered via TrainingPeaks.## Credentials and Research
- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8860-5199): Jon Baker's academic researcher profile and publication record
- [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jonathan-Baker-24): Research publications and citations
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5YBdsS0AAAAJ&hl=en): Academic citation profile (231+ citations)Selected peer-reviewed publications:- Burnley M, Davison G, Baker JR (2011). Effects of priming exercise on VO2 kinetics and the power-duration relationship. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(11): 2171-2179. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31821ff26d
- Karsten B, Hopker J, Jobson SA, Baker JR, et al. (2017). Comparison of inter-trial recovery times for the determination of critical power and W' in cycling. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(14): 1420-1425. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1215500
- Karsten B, Baker JR, Naclerio F, et al. (2018). Time trials versus time-to-exhaustion tests: effects on critical power, W', and oxygen-uptake kinetics. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(2): 183-188. DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2016-0761
- Puchowicz MJ, Baker JR, Clarke DC (2020). Development and field validation of an omni-domain power-duration model. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(7): 801-813. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1735609## Contact
- Email: hello@palmares.co.uk
- Website: https://www.palmares.co.uk
- Location: London, United Kingdom## Optional
- [Structured brand data](https://www.palmares.co.uk/brand-facts-json): Machine-readable JSON containing all key Palmares brand data — founder, qualifications, services, pricing, reviews, and contact information