Why Smartwatch & Virtual Coaches are Lame (and here’s the fix)

The fitness tech industry is failing runners, and no one’s talking about it.

Ever felt like your smartwatch or running app just doesn’t get you? You crush a hard workout, and it calls it "unproductive." You take a rest day, and your fitness score drops. The truth? Most fitness tech is stuck in the past; obsessed with data but clueless about what runners actually need. This episode breaks down why the tech we trust with our training is often missing the point, and how that can hold us back without us even realizing it. I dive into what’s really wrong with how fitness data is delivered, why it’s failing more experienced runners, and how we can shift the focus from generic numbers to meaningful insights. If you’re tired of chasing arbitrary metrics instead of real progress, feeling guilty about rest days, or getting useless feedback from your watch, this one’s for you.

1. Smartwatches track data but fail at giving useful advice: They show numbers but don't explain what to do with them or how to improve.
2. Fitness apps reward the wrong things: They push streaks and long runs over smart training, which can lead to burnout.
3. The best runners don't follow generic plans: Progress comes from understanding your body, not just hitting app goals.

• [00:00] Why smartwatches and virtual coaches aren't working
• [00:40] What You’ll Learn
• [01:23] The problem with "training unproductive" messages
• [02:15] What apps track vs. what runners really need
• [03:07] Why running apps don’t ask about your goals
• [04:12] How Did We Get Into This Virtual Coaching Mess?
• [06:36] The Cater To The Average Trap
• [08:14] How custom heart rate zones can mess up your fitness score
• [09:35] How gamification creates burnout and pressure
• [10:39] What a better app could actually look like

• 📈 Get your free 1% better base training plan - https://dlakecreates.com/basefree
• 🎧 Listen, read and learn more here https://dlakecreates.com/virtualcoach Learn more about how smart watches are lying to you https://dlakecreates.com/smartwatch
• Why Strava is Pacist and Doesn’t Care About Short Distance People https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1D_pHZ7J4Ww
• DLake Runs on IG - https://instagram.com/dlakecreates
• DLake Runs on Strava - https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507

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