Opinion: Is hiring a running coach worth it in 2024?

As we approach the spring and summer race season, thousands of runners, both new and experienced, will look for guidance to achieve their training goals. Finding a running coach can be challenging, with price being one of the pivotal factors for many. Hiring a coach often comes with a high cost, especially when compared to alternative options available through Garmin Coach or AI technology, which don’t. 

Before diving into a critique of traditional coaching methods, it’s important to clarify that my intention is not to discredit personal running coaches. As a coach myself, I recognize their value, especially for beginners who need assistance in improving their running form, back-and-forth support/communication, and most importantly, to be held accountable to chase their goals. Similarly, on the other end of the spectrum, elite athletes aiming for world-class performances require personalized attention and around-the-clock communication to optimize their training and results.

My concern lies with the costs associated with one-on-one coaching. With free or more affordable alternatives available, the high fees of traditional coaches can be prohibitive. In Toronto, for instance, local coaching prices range from $100 to upwards of $500 per month, which can pose a significant financial barrier for many runners, especially those who are new to the sport who might not know better. 

While training for any distance demands dedication, AI platforms like ChatGPT or Garmin Coach offer accessible, straightforward training plans for a fraction of the cost. I asked AI to generate a very standard weekly program for a 4:00:00 marathon, tailored to someone who works full-time and has very little running experience, but has done a few 5K’s. The AI platform provided me with an eight-week progressive training plan, beginning with four sessions per week, with a gradual increase to six runs per week by weeks six and seven.

Although I get AI-generated plans have their limitations, such as a lack of personalization and consideration for recovery, it offers a viable no-cost alternative beyond traditional personal coaching. Other free platforms like Garmin Coach are even better, leveraging personal data analytics to tailor training recommendations based on your sleep, recovery levels, heart rate variability and stress. While Garmin Coach requires an initial investment in buying a physical GPS watch, it is more cost-effective in the long run compared to hiring a coach to ultimately do the same thing and attend some of your workouts for $300/month–plus, your relationship with the watch will last a little longer.

Before you hire a coach, take some time to write down your goals and what type of guidance you need to achieve your objective. If you are just looking for some framework or minor guidance, there are plenty of affordable options online to help point you in the right direction.