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Terms of Service

Effective date: 1 March 2026 · Last updated: 2 March 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Paincave platform available at paincave.io (the “Service”), operated by Paincave (“we”, “us”, “our”). By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

1. Service Description

Paincave is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for endurance athletes. The Service analyses activity data from connected platforms (Strava, Garmin, Wahoo) to provide:

  • Training load metrics (TSS, CTL, ATL, TSB) and performance tracking
  • Personalised training zones and threshold detection
  • Workout recommendations based on periodisation principles
  • Nutrition targets (macronutrients, hydration, ride fuelling)
  • Recovery readiness assessments (when health data is connected)

All recommendations are generated by a rule-based coaching engine built on peer-reviewed exercise science research (Coggan, Banister, Seiler, et al.). Paincave does not use artificial intelligence or large language models to generate recommendations.

2. Important Disclaimers

Please read this section carefully before using Paincave.

  • Not medical advice. Paincave does not provide medical, health, or diagnostic advice. The Service is not a substitute for professional medical judgement. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, modifying, or intensifying any exercise programme, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
  • Not dietary advice. Nutrition targets displayed by Paincave are general guidelines based on published sports nutrition research. They do not constitute personalised dietary advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any nutritional deficiency or medical condition. Consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist for individual nutrition planning.
  • Training at your own risk. You are solely responsible for evaluating your fitness, health, and ability to perform any workout suggested by the Service. Paincave is not liable for any injury, illness, or adverse health outcome resulting from following recommendations provided by the platform.
  • Data accuracy. Training metrics are derived from data synced from third-party devices and platforms. Accuracy depends on the quality and calibration of your devices (power meters, heart rate monitors, GPS). Paincave is not responsible for inaccurate metrics caused by faulty or uncalibrated equipment.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 16 years old to create an account and use Paincave. By registering, you represent that you meet this age requirement. If you are between 16 and 18, you confirm that you have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

4. Account Responsibilities

  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
  • Use a strong, unique password (minimum 12 characters recommended).
  • You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
  • Notify us immediately at support@paincave.io if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.
  • One account per person. Account sharing is not permitted.

5. Subscriptions and Billing

5.1 Plans

  • Free tier: no payment required. Includes limited features as described on the pricing page.
  • Pro tier: billed monthly via Stripe at the rate published on our pricing page at the time of subscription.

5.2 Billing

  • All payments are processed securely by Stripe. We do not store your payment card details.
  • Your subscription renews automatically at the end of each billing period unless cancelled.
  • Prices are displayed in the currency determined by Stripe based on your location.

5.3 Cancellation

  • You may cancel your subscription at any time from Settings → Billing or via the Stripe customer portal.
  • Upon cancellation, you retain access to Pro features until the end of your current billing period.
  • After the billing period ends, your account reverts to the free tier. Your data is not deleted.

5.4 Refunds

We do not offer refunds for partial billing periods. If you believe you have been charged in error, contact support@paincave.io within 14 days of the charge and we will review your case.

5.5 Price Changes

We may change subscription pricing with at least 30 days' notice via email. Price changes will apply at the start of your next billing cycle after the notice period. If you do not agree with the new pricing, you may cancel before the change takes effect.

6. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

  • Reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code of the Service
  • Use automated scripts, bots, or scrapers to access the Service or its APIs
  • Share your account credentials with others
  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to other users' accounts or data
  • Use the Service to transmit malicious code, spam, or unlawful content
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Service's infrastructure or performance
  • Use the Service for any unlawful purpose

Violation of these terms may result in immediate account suspension or termination.

7. Your Data

Your data belongs to you. Activity data, health metrics, and profile information you provide or sync to Paincave remain your property. You grant us a limited, non-exclusive, revocable licence to process your data solely to provide and improve the Service.

You may export all your data as JSON or delete your account and all associated data at any time from Settings. See our Privacy Policy for full details on data collection, processing, retention, and your GDPR rights.

8. Intellectual Property

The Paincave platform — including its design, code, brand identity, and coaching engine — is our intellectual property and is protected by applicable copyright and trademark laws.

The training metrics and formulas we implement (TSS, CTL, ATL, TSB, IF, NP, etc.) are based on published, peer-reviewed research by Coggan, Allen, Banister, Seiler, and others. Our implementation of these formulas is original.

9. Third-Party Services

Paincave integrates with third-party services (Strava, Garmin, Wahoo, Stripe). These integrations are subject to the respective third party's terms of service and privacy policy. We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or practices of third-party services.

10. Service Availability

We aim to maintain high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Service may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, updates, or circumstances beyond our control. We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of planned downtime in advance.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

  • The Service is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
  • We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profits, personal injury, or adverse health outcomes.
  • Our total cumulative liability to you for any claims arising from or relating to the Service shall not exceed the total amount you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law (e.g., liability for fraud or gross negligence).

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Paincave from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Service, (b) your violation of these Terms, or (c) your violation of any third party's rights.

13. Termination

  • By you: you may delete your account at any time from Settings. All your data will be permanently removed within 30 days.
  • By us: we may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, with notice where practicable. In cases of severe abuse (e.g., attempted data breach), we may terminate immediately without notice.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately. Sections 2 (Disclaimers), 11 (Limitation of Liability), and 12 (Indemnification) survive termination.

14. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Service shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to the competent courts of the Netherlands.

If you are a consumer in the EU, you retain any mandatory consumer protection rights granted by the laws of your country of residence. You may also use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email at least 30 days before taking effect. Continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you disagree with the changes, you may delete your account before the effective date.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Paincave regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

18. Contact

For questions about these Terms: