Coaching or a training plan?
Deciding between hiring a coach and purchasing a training plan is a significant decision. Both options can be highly effective, but they serve different purposes. A training plan provides structured guidance, while coaching offers personalised mentorship, feedback, and accountability.
At HP3, we believe that an athlete’s success is about more than just completing workouts; it’s about learning, adapting, and making the best use of time and effort. Choosing the right support system will depend on your goals, learning style, and how much guidance you need along the way.
The role of coaching and training plans
Think of the relationship between an athlete and a coach as similar to that of a graduate student and their research supervisor (several of our coaches are university academics and published researchers). While many students successfully complete a degree with minimal guidance, those who thrive are the ones who actively engage in the learning process, receive regular feedback, and work in partnership with their mentor.
A well-designed training plan can take you from point A to point B, but it won’t adapt to your evolving needs or help you troubleshoot problems. A coach, on the other hand, provides structured yet flexible guidance, helping you make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and build progress you can sustain.
A training plan
- Built forThe ‘average’ athlete
- LengthFixed, for a specific event
- AdjustmentsMade by you
- Feedback and accountabilityYour own
- Injury historyNot accounted for
Coaching
- Built forYou
- LengthMonths and years
- AdjustmentsMade with your coach
- Feedback and accountabilityRegular
- Injury historyManaged, with physiotherapy input
HP3’s training and coaching philosophy
At HP3, we take a clinically-led, long-term approach to developing endurance athletes. We operate under two guiding frameworks: our training philosophy and our coaching philosophy. While they are closely related, they serve different functions in supporting athlete growth.
Our coaches work in the same team as HP3’s physiotherapists, nutritionists and psychologists, so when an injury or niggle appears it is assessed by a clinician, and your training is adjusted from that assessment rather than guessed at.
Training philosophy
Our training philosophy is a sustainable, adaptable strategy designed to improve endurance performance over time. Instead of pushing athletes towards maximal training loads at all costs, we focus on balancing volume, intensity, and recovery to ensure that athletes remain healthy, motivated, and consistently improving. Every training plan we create is built around process goals, longevity, and respect for individual needs.
Coaching philosophy
Our coaching philosophy is built on a collaborative, athlete-led environment. The athlete is at the centre of the decision-making process, while our role is to provide evidence-based structure, mentorship, and expert guidance. We do not dictate a rigid path but instead empower athletes to make informed decisions about their training. Communication, goal-setting, and regular reflection are key aspects of this process, ensuring that training not only improves fitness but also enhances confidence, self-awareness, and long-term engagement with the sport.
A plan or a coach?
Who should buy a training plan?
A training plan is a great option if:
- You have a clear race goal and a predictable schedule.
- You are self-motivated and can stick to a structured plan without external accountability.
- You can monitor your own progress and make small adjustments based on how you feel.
- You want a cost-effective way to follow a structured programme designed by an expert.
However, training plans assume a ‘typical’ athlete and do not account for individual circumstances such as:
- Variations in time availability due to work or family commitments.
- Differences in experience levels and ability to handle training loads.
- Injury history or pre-existing conditions that require specific considerations.
Training plans are built with the ‘average’ athlete in mind, meaning they follow a generalised structure based on expected physiological adaptations. While some plans cater to different ability levels or target specific areas of improvement, they do not fully address the unique factors that influence each athlete’s progress. Any necessary modifications must be made by the athlete themselves, which can be challenging without expert guidance.
Who should hire a coach?
A coach is the right choice if:
- You want to learn and develop under expert guidance, refining your approach to training.
- You need an adaptable plan that fits around life’s unpredictability.
- You want regular feedback and accountability to stay on track.
- You are aiming for long-term development, not just one race.
- You struggle with self-assessment and need help identifying strengths and weaknesses.
Unlike a training plan, which is designed with a fixed duration in mind for a specific event, coaching is a long-term investment in your athletic growth. It is not just about getting you ready for a race, it’s about optimising your training journey over months and years. A coach helps you develop the skills, habits, and understanding necessary to sustain performance improvements beyond a single event.
Training under a coach means your programme evolves with you, adapting to:
- Your progress and physiological responses to training.
- Unexpected life events or changes in time availability.
- Managing injury risk, with physiotherapy input when it is needed.
- Shifts in long-term goals and aspirations.
With coaching, you are not simply following a prescribed path; you are working collaboratively to refine, adjust, and continuously improve your performance.
Who should not hire a coach?
Coaching is not for everyone, and that’s okay. Hiring a coach may not be the best option if:
- You prefer to train independently and are confident in your ability to self-adjust your training.
- You are not interested in receiving feedback or changing your approach.
- You find accountability stressful rather than helpful.
- You expect instant results rather than gradual, sustainable progress.
- You are unwilling to communicate with your coach about how training is going.
Coaching requires collaboration. If you prefer complete autonomy in your training or are not ready to engage in the reflective and adaptive process, a pre-made training plan may be a better fit.
How to find the right coach for you
Not all coaches are the same, and finding the right one is crucial to your success and satisfaction with the coaching process. Here are key factors to consider when choosing a coach:
Coaching philosophy alignment
Does their coaching philosophy align with your personal training style and long-term goals?
Experience and credentials
Look for relevant qualifications, coaching certifications, and experience working with athletes at your level.
Specialisation
Some coaches focus on ultra-endurance events, others on specific distances or disciplines. Some are ‘Jack of all trades’ and some are specialists. Ensure their expertise matches your goals.
Communication style
Consider how often and through what channels you will interact with your coach (e.g., do you want weekly calls, data reviews, unlimited messaging, or are you happy with less regular communication?).
Expectations and flexibility
Clarify the level of structure and adaptability in their coaching approach. Do they allow for individual input and life adjustments?
Athlete testimonials and reputation
Speak with current or former athletes, read reviews, and assess the coach’s track record of success. Read what HP3 athletes say about their coaching.
Initial consultation
At HP3, we offer an initial consultation to discuss your goals, approach, and ensure that we are a good fit for each other. Book your initial consultation.
Before you decide
Coaching packages
What each HP3 option includes, from a one-off race plan to standard and premium monthly coaching.
See the coaching packages →Using a training plan
A practical guide to following a training plan in TrainingPeaks.
Read the guide →Athlete testimonials
What athletes coached by HP3 say about the process, in their own words.
Read the testimonials →
What’s next?
The right choice depends on your goals, needs, and how much support you require. If you’re ready to invest in expert guidance and long-term improvement, coaching is the better fit. If you prefer structured, independent training, a pre-made training plan will suit you.
Explore our coaching packages and training plans to find the best fit for your journey.
Coaching starts with a free initial consultation. Training plans are delivered through TrainingPeaks, and you can start one today.
Not ready to choose yet? Get the free HP3 fuelling and gut training pack, or meet the team and other athletes in the TeamHP3 community.