Many people these days use AI-generated workout plans. But Runna — which provides tailored training plans for runners — unsurprisingly does not think this is a good idea. It has doubled down on the side of expertise and science in a new deal with Loughborough University, which is found in the UK.
Loughborough is the world’s best University for sports-related subjects according to the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The partnership will see its academics and researchers help steer the future of Runna’s features and coaching algorithms.
It’s a pitch to enhance the credentials of the Runna platform at a time when some would say you can get superficially similar results for free, just by talking to a chatbot.
Runna Versus AI
I had a chat with Olympian and Runna coach Steph Kessell to hear the pitch. Let’s start with the crucial bit.
“We don’t think AI should be used to drive core coaching philosophy and churn out the sessions we believe should be done by a set of eyes, basically,” says Kessell.
“People are going to things like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and just asking them to create a training plan. But what those training plans don’t always take into account is unique personalization, and to accurately be able to adapt your plan based on whatever your needs might be. It might be you picked up a niggle or illness, or you’re just super busy at work. [AI is] not led by a qualified coach.”
But Kessel, as someone who works at Runna would that that, wouldn’t she? I do think this more than marketing fluff, though. Who hasn’t heard a handful of stories about someone putting too much faith in generative AI and it all ending poorly?
While the famous couch-to-5K plan is a solid start plan for many just getting into running, once you get far beyond that — and the kind of activity Runna subscribers typically perform — picking up an injury and nullifying progress through overtraining are real risks. And getting injured sucks.
“Our plans that people see and follow in the app are not driven by AI,” says Kessell.
“They are driven by kind of algorithms that are set by our training team, our tech team, and they are all overseen by the logic that me as lead coach and anyone else in the coaching team, who is qualified, will ensure is deemed safe and appropriate.”
The Loughborough Angle
Runna is already expert-tailored, then, but the idea behind this Loughborough University partnership is it will allow the platform to stay up-to-date with the latest sports science knowledge and research.
A review of Runna will be overseen by Loughborough University’s Dr Richard Blagrove, whose full title is “Reader in Applied Exercise Physiology and Athlete Performance.”
“Our work with Runna will build the latest sports science on those specific areas into their expert training logic that has been developed by their qualified coaches,” says Blagrove.
“It will offer a unique, best-in-class training experience for runners around the world that cannot be replicated by generic AI training plans.”
What this means for change within Runna is one for the future. But Kessell admits this won’t suddenly lead to a major shift in how the platform feels.
“To be honest, we are not expecting anything to come back that’s necessarily really alarming that we need to change with our product,” says Kessell.
“We are confident it’s in the right direction. But just by having that relationship with [Loughborough University], and approval from them that we are up-to-date with the latest research is just really valuable.”
It’s a turbo-charging of what Runna has always relied on to maintain subscribers: a level of faith its raining plans are legit.
Already a Runna subscriber? You won’t notice anything different just yet as “ it’s not impacting anything that you see in the app just now,” explains Kessel. And given the partnership is likely to primarily affect the content of training plans, its effects may not be outwardly noticeable.
The AI Slop Sea
This is all part of the difficulty platforms like Runna face, that part of their appeal is in effortlessly producing training plans — and limitations in such plans from lesser sources are only going to become apparent after time. I’ve found it can take up to 4-8 weeks of overdoing things to mount into real body strain or injury.
Kessell makes a comparison between using a chatbot to work out your training with downloading PDF in the old days, before there were options like Runna about.
“I think what is often forgotten is people were downloading generic PDF plans off the internet for a long time, and they were also, looking back, not really that safe because they’re just providing almost a one size fits all approach, which isn’t how running should be done,” says Kessell.
Runna was one of fitness’s top start-up platforms, established in 2021 ahead of a 2022 launch, before it was acquired by Strava in May 2025.
Runna currently costs $19.99 a month, while a year-long membership offers a decent saving, at $119.99 a year.