A running coach who always takes your side, lets you off the hook when you miss a workout or cuts the session short when you’re feeling tired might sound like a sweet catch. But how do you ever learn discipline, consistency or hard work? Who checks you when you’re being unrealistic–or quitting too soon? Sure, ChatGPT can make a great running buddy–but it makes a lousy coach.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be an awesome resource for runners: it’s free, always available and surprisingly good at answering training questions. But if you’re looking for a running coach, AI should be supplemental–not a replacement for the real thing. Here’s why.
It always agrees with you
As great as you are, you’re not always right–but ChatGPT won’t be the one to tell you that. It tends to side with your opinions and stretch whatever information it has to validate your take. In contrast, with a human coach, you can have real discussions, even from opposing viewpoints–which is critical for building trust in an athlete/coach relationship. This can help to challenge you as an athlete (and as a person).
It sympathizes way too much
We all overreact, get in our heads or make excuses sometimes, and a good coach will call you out on it. AI will just nod along and validate everything, even when you’re being dramatic (or outright ridiculous). And while sometimes all you need is for someone to hear and validate your feelings, tough love is still important for growth–and ChatGPT doesn’t know you well enough to actually deliver that.
It can be flat-out wrong
Unlike what everyone says, AI doesn’t know everything. It makes mistakes–mixing up stats, missing context or just getting things wrong. If we’re depending on AI to be our primary resource, we’re likely to get our facts pretty mangled. And if you’re new to running, how would you know the difference between good advice and a bad workout plan? That’s where a human coach’s experience matters.
It’s not there in real-time
ChatGPT can’t watch your form, spot signs of fatigue or adjust your workout on the spot–whether you’re about to blow up or actually need to push harder. It can’t call out splits, sense body language or read unspoken cues a good coach picks up on. Human coaches draw from lived experience; AI–being a computer and all–just can’t replicate that.
Even ChatGPT admits it
“Honestly? I think I’d make a solid, supportive running coach—but not a full replacement for the real thing.”
If there’s one thing you can count on ChatGPT for, it’s cheesy motivational one-liners: “You don’t have to love every step, but you’ll never regret showing up.” But for anything beyond pep talks, talk to someone with actual coaching experience–or hire a real, human coach to guide you.
