**First and foremost I want to disclose my biases here. At Endurance Mentors we use an as-needed approach to coaching/pricing because we feel it offers the best value for the majority of athletes.
With that said, below are our general thoughts on model and pricing levels you will find when searching for a triathlon coach or training guidance. Let’s get into it.
Download a Pre-Made Plan
Downloading a pre-made plan is a place where many athletes start. Some of these exist freely and others require a one time (typically low) payment to get started. In my opinion the best use case for downloadable plans are experienced athletes who may be trying a new type of racing. They know their bodies, their tendencies, and how to manage overall load. The downloaded plan gives them the guidance they need and they can manage their workload from there.
Beginners beware: Often beginners will take this route because of the low cost, but they should be cautious. Without experience this is a recipe for burnout or injury (especially because when we start out we always think we can do more than we actually can).
Use An App
There are some excellent App’s on the market today that provide an online platform and training guidance. App’s come at a variety of price points (some even free to start) and the sophistication can be impressive. Typically you will find these end up in a subscription pricing model. If you love technology this is a great option.
The best question to ask yourself when dealing with an App is who is ultimately behind the curtain? Can you seek individual guidance from an experienced coach when a wrench gets thrown into your training gears? I promise it will.
The other significant factor to consider is accountability. Many of us (myself included) find one of the biggest benefits of having a coach is personal accountability. Just ask…….Will you be able to hold yourself accountable to an App?
As-Needed Coaching Support
As-needed coaching is the model we prefer at Endurance Mentors. We feel it offers the best of both worlds for the athlete. Coaching on an as-needed basis is driven by your coaching needs rather than a subscription model. Use an as-needed coach similar to a subscription based coaching program or schedule a session before starting a training cycle. It’s your choice and you only pay when you use it.
Coaching goes well beyond just assigning workouts. It’s knowing the person and their overall stresses. Since as-needed coaching is driven by the athlete’s needs, it’s important that you be up front with your coach about how you’re feeling and your expectations when choosing this coaching model.
Coaching Directed Plans
Coaching directed plans are often offered by triathlon coaches where they will develop a specific training plan for you as an individual then you will have access to a variety of online resources / forums to have questions answered. This is often structured on a subscription pricing model and can be rather expensive. I’ve used these plans before and I had great results. You will receive a real plan, but at times the lack of direct coach to athlete meetings can be lacking given the price point.
You can achieve great things using this type of guidance, but keep an eye on the fine print for when you can actually interact with your coach. You’ll be paying quite a bit for this so make sure it’s worth it for you.
1:1 Coaching
The gold standard and you will pay for it. If your ambitions are to lead the pack this could be a good option for you. Alternatively, this model can also be very successful for those who are new to the sport and are looking for thorough guidance through their endurance sports journey. This represents the top level of coaching support and would be similar to what professional athletes are receiving.
A key question to consider about 1:1 coaching is your comfort level with this service being virtual vs in-person. In this model you will be very reliant on coaching guidance on a day to day basis. All other models can easily translate to a virtual setting, but we always felt if we were to pay for a 1:1 coach it would be best to have them in-person.
Conclusion
There are really no wrong answers when you decide to start training with guidance or a coach. It’s about what you’re looking for as an athlete. Be honest with yourself and your coach about how much you can handle and your coach should be honest with you about expectations for your performance.