Should You Use an AI Running Coach?

Artificial intelligence is all the rage these days, with tech companies promising to solve every problem with AI. Fitness and wellness coaching are no exception, with dozens of products promising AI-driven results. Some products incorporate AI features as “helpers,” while others are fully focused on AI-driven coaching.

AI coaching platforms generally cost less than $20 per month, with some offering basic planners for free. Should you make the jump to training with AI? Let’s look a little deeper.

What is an AI Running Coach?

AI run coaching tools are software applications that use artificial intelligence algorithms to provide run coaching and guidance. They typically collect data from wearable devices, mobile apps, and athlete input to create a profile of the their fitness goals, current fitness level, and progress.

The AI engine then analyzes this data to identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement, and then generates workout plans. Some AI run coaching tools may also allow athletes to interact with the system through voice or text-based conversations and to receive motivational messages.

Why Choose a Human Coach vs AI?

Given that both human and AI coaches can evaluate your fitness data and provide personalized training plans, why should you pay a human coach when an AI product costs much less?

We’ve been there

Human coaches have done the workouts we’re asking you to do (and most of us still are doing them), so we know how it feels. We’ve experienced the highs and lows: a great race result, an injury, a bad workout. A good coach can help you develop a positive mindset and self-image, which is essential for long-term success. Our shared experiences allow us to connect with and support athletes in ways that an AI planner can’t.

Personalized Attention and Accountability

A coach can provide personalized attention, guidance, and support tailored to your specific needs, goals, and progress. An AI system will ask what your goals are, but a human coach will listen to you and be a partner in your goal setting. Not sure if you should target that half marathon coming up next month? Good coaches will never try to set goals for their athletes, but we do understand where you are physically and emotionally and can provide valuable input to your decision making.

Form Correction and Injury Prevention

A human coach can observe your form and technique, and provide feedback and corrections to help prevent injuries. We can also teach you proper exercise techniques, helping you develop good habits and reduce the risk of injury. AI planners rely on pre-programmed instructions and may not be able to detect subtle issues with form or technique.

Holistic Approach to Fitness

Human coaches take a holistic approach to fitness, considering factors like nutrition, lifestyle, and stress management in addition to your training plan. We can help build an overall plan to address all aspects of your health and wellness, rather than just focusing on workouts. AI run coaching tools tend to focus only on the training plan, neglecting the broader context of overall health and wellness.

Customized Programming and Progression

A human coach will build a workout program specifically for your unique needs, goals, and preferences. We will adjust your plan as you progress (or if you experience a setback) helping ensure that you continue to challenge yourself and avoid plateaus. While AI run coaching tools can generate workouts based on algorithms, they may not be able to replicate the nuance and expertise of a human coach.

So having a human coach brings a lot of added value to your training. We have the knowledge and shared experiences that AI coaches can’t have. A good coach is interested in your overall health and wellbeing and can provide guidance based on subtle cues and one-on-one athlete feedback.

Other Considerations

There are a few other important considerations when deciding whether to use an AI coaching tool:

Privacy

When using an AI coaching tool, you’re handing a lot of your personal data to an unknown company. Is it being sold for marketing purposes or used for other purposes? What happens to your data if the company goes bankrupt or gets bought by another company?

Environmental Impact

The computers used to power AI use a lot of electricity, and have wider effects on the environment. That’s not to say that we should avoid using AI altogether, but being aware of the wider impacts can help us understand the tradeoffs.

AI Can Confidently Be Wrong

AI systems are well known for providing information confidently, even when it’s wrong. Human coaches sometimes make mistakes too, but a good coach will correct theirs; AIs usually don’t.

Who Can Benefit from an AI Coaching Tool?

So far, I’ve looked at all the ways that having a human coach is a better option than using AI. But there are some cases where an AI running coach can be helpful.

Recreational Athletes

Casual athletes who want to improve their performance without the expense or commitment of one-on-one coaching may find some benefits by turning to an AI running coach. That said, it may also be helpful to seek out lower-cost options such as group coaching plans that include some level of human coaching support.

Self-Motivated Athletes

If you’re an experienced athlete who is disciplined and motivated then you could benefit from an AI coaching tool. You can have the AI build your plan while you focus on execution. Experienced athletes may have the ability to adapt the AI-generated plans based on their own feeling, goals, and progress.

People with Limited Financial Resources

Good running coaches provide a ton of value, but not everyone can make the financial commitment needed to hire one. In that case, using an AI running coach can be better than no coach at all, and can provide a training foundation.

But as I noted above, there may be other options available, including group coaching programs that offer some coaching support at a lower cost.

So Which to Choose?

AI is here to stay, and can be a powerful assistant in our daily lives. There are some cases where using an AI running coach can make sense. But for most people, hiring a human coach is still the best option. Coaches offer more personal interactions and programs, and can help you avoid injury, boredom, and burnout.

But whatever you choose, the most important thing is getting out there! Whether you’re running, riding, or taking a stroll by the lake, movement is good for everyone.