Can AI be an effective coach?

Apps like Runna have seen a surge in popularity recently, and while there may be some pros to using them if you’re trying to develop an endurance training or triathlon plan on a budget, you should definitely have a think about whether an AI plan or app can match, or surpass, the expertise of a seasoned human coach. 

AI and Endurance Training

AI’s primary strength in sports training lies in its ability to process and analyse large amounts of data. Through machine learning and predictive analytics, AI can supposedly help athletes optimise their performance by tailoring training plans, providing real-time feedback, and identifying areas for improvement.

Various platforms are already utilising these capabilities. For instance, apps that integrate machine learning algorithms can track a triathlete’s running, cycling, and swimming metrics, then suggest personalised training regimens based on that data. This approach not only streamlines the training process but can also adapt plans as new performance data becomes available.

Basically, AI is good with numbers and algorithms, no surprises there. 

That’s great, but there’s more to coaching and performance (at any level) than numbers.

Limitations of AI Compared to a Human Coach

Goal Setting/Tracking & AI Prompts

Setting your goals for the season with a coach who can review your previous performances is one of the most important aspects of your season. If you’re new to endurance sports, having someone who you can ask questions of, who can explain your progress, or who can guide you through your first season is invaluable.

Goals should be SMART and they should be discussed in more detail. Picking a plan based on wanting to achieve a sub 1:30 half marathon or a sub 4.5 hour 70.3 without reviewing your previous achievements and looking at the wider context of your time, abilities, and competing life priorities to achieve those goals has a strong chance of resulting in injury or failure. 

It’s becoming more widely realised that the better your prompt is with AI, such as Chat GPT for example, the more specific or helpful your answer might be. Applying this to endurance sport, your coach is likely to have spent years involved in sport at various levels and received a qualification for coaching. What that means is, they have more knowledge of the sport than you might be able to produce for “a prompt” to produce a training plan. 

Intuition and Emotional Insight

One of the greatest challenges for AI in coaching is its inability to understand the emotional and mental aspects of training. 

Endurance sport is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and human coaches play a vital role in recognising when an athlete needs motivation, rest, or a change in strategy to boost morale.

A good coach will be aware of your life outside of your sporting goals and should be able to adapt your plan around stressful or busy life periods in order to get the best out of you.

Adaptability in Complex Scenarios

AI is good at recognising patterns and making data-driven decisions, but it struggles with adapting to unexpected situations. Whether it's responding to an athlete’s injury, illness, or fluctuating energy levels on race day, human coaches have the advantage of using intuition and experience to make nuanced calls that go beyond data analysis.

Sometimes it’s as simple as knowing you’ve a large family event to host or a big deadline at work. Stress and fatigue can affect your immune system, knowing when to consider dropping your training load by small amounts during certain times periods could prevent you losing out in the longer term. Most apps will give you a plan without considering what you’re life outside of your sporting goals might look like.

Another number for the Algorithm?

Are your unique circumstances and metrics being considered, or are you part of a demographic for the algorithm and therefore placed within a specific set of rules. 

This is particularly important for women in sport. 

The amount of research focused on women in sport is substantially lower than it is for men, AI is already showing itself to reflect some of the bias of the real world. So, before you sign up for a lower cost training plan with a popular app, do you know if the programme you’re using will use the limited data there is from women specific research, will it place you in a demographic group with specific rules which may not be correct for you?

Motivational Challenges

AI lacks the personal touch required to inspire athletes and push them beyond their perceived limits. A human coach’s pep talk, encouragement, and ability to empathise can make all the difference when an athlete hits a wall. This interpersonal element is one area where AI falls short.

Accountability

Your AI coaching app might come with a slightly cheaper price point than a human coach, and if price is a factor in your decision that is fair. But, think about how long until you’re ignoring either the notifications of the plan it’s written for you, or the app entirely. 

Having an actual person who is invested in your progress is an entirely different accountability dynamic. A coach will care about your progress, an algorithm is simply programmed to follow up. 

Think Duolingo. It works for some people while on the other hand, hundreds of thousands of people have downloaded it with the best intentions and have silenced the app. 

There’s also the simple act of asking a question about your plan. You might be able to ask a very specific question, or google it to get an answer, but can you have a conversation about your overall progress?

The Ideal Combination: AI and Human Coaching

Keep in mind that with many existing programmes coaches are using, there are already certain elements of AI involved; they’re leveraging it for its analytical capabilities and processing data to fine-tune your training. A coach has the added expertise and ability to then focus on providing you with a plan that caters to your nuances. 

Athlete A might need to run 40km a week on an AI generated plan, however their coach knows Athlete A requires a more flexible routine which incorporates some cross training to avoid injury and still reach their goals, while Athlete B will be able to take the 40km load.

Are you better off with an AI generated programme or a human coach?

If you choose to use an AI app or programme to coach you, make sure you do plenty of research on it before signing up. Was it designed by someone with a background in coaching endurance sport or was it designed with a strong algorithm to create a money generating subscription model? What does it do with your data?

You’re reading this on a site that sells endurance sport coaching by humans. However, bias aside, we still think your best bet is an experienced coach who’s qualified, knows how to use all the various data points and can take into consideration not just your abilities but all the unique aspects of your life. 

If you’re not willing to invest in a coach, consider joining a club and integrating some of their sessions into your plan. Other experienced athletes may also be able to offer advice in certain areas or there may be club coaches who can help guide you along the way.

We currently have a limited number of athlete spots available across swimming and triathlon. If you’re considering getting a coach for the 2026 season, get in touch now. No matter your experience level or goals, you will receive an individualised personal training plan tailored to fit your lifestyle and access to a coach who is passionate about making YOU faster.

See more about our plans and offers at: https://www.makeithappencoaching.online/coachingplans