Arvo vs TrainHeroic
Two different approaches: AI coaching for individuals vs. platform for coach-led training. Find out which fits your training style.
TrainHeroic has established itself as the leading platform for coaches who need to deliver programming to teams, groups, and remote clients. With robust communication tools, a program marketplace, and excellent team management features, it's the professional choice for strength coaches, CrossFit gyms, and athletic programs. Athletes get their workouts through TrainHeroic because their coach uses it.
The key distinction is that TrainHeroic is a delivery system, not a coaching intelligence. Coaches write programs; athletes follow them. There's no AI adapting workouts based on performance, no automatic weight suggestions, and no real-time fatigue management. The quality of your training depends entirely on your coach's programming skills and their ability to adjust your plan based on feedback you provide.
Arvo approaches training from the opposite direction: AI is the coach. Twenty specialized agents analyze your performance data and make intelligent set-by-set decisions using five proven methodology systems. For individual athletes who want intelligent guidance without hiring a human coach, Arvo provides that capability for €6/month. For coaches, Arvo includes client management, progress monitoring, and Stripe integration at no additional cost—compared to TrainHeroic's $500-1800/year coach pricing. The choice depends on whether you need a program delivery platform or an intelligent training partner.
Quick Summary
Arvo
Best for AI-coached training
- AI coaches every set
- 5 training methodologies
- Coach features included
- €6/mo (vs $500+/yr for coach)
TrainHeroic
Best for coach-led teams
- Great for groups/teams
- Program marketplace
- Rich communication tools
- No AI adaptation
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Arvo | TrainHeroic |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Individual AI coaching | Coach program delivery |
| AI Coaching | 20 specialized agents | None |
| Athlete Price | Free (beta) / €6/mo | Free |
| Coach Price | Included in €6/mo | $500-1800/year |
| Weight Suggestions | AI per set | Coach-defined or % |
| Training Methodologies | 5 complete systems | Coach-dependent |
| Group Training | Coming soon | Core feature |
| Team Management | Individual focused | Built for teams |
| Volume Tracking | MEV/MAV/MRV automatic | Basic tracking |
| Communication | Basic client notes | Chat, video, messaging |
| Program Marketplace | No | Yes |
| Stripe Integration | Yes | Third-party needed |
| Offline Mode | Full AI functionality | Limited |
Key Differences
Fundamental Approach
TrainHeroic is a delivery system - coaches create programs, athletes follow them. Arvo is an AI coach - it creates and adapts programs based on your performance. One requires a human coach; the other is the coach.
Intelligence
TrainHeroic has no AI. Programs are static unless a coach manually updates them. Arvo adapts every set in real-time, managing fatigue, suggesting weights, and implementing methodologies automatically.
Use Cases
TrainHeroic shines for teams, group training, and coaches with many clients. Arvo is better for individual athletes who want AI coaching, or coaches who want AI to assist their programming decisions.
Coach Economics
TrainHeroic charges coaches $500-1800/year. Arvo includes coach features in the €6/month plan. For solo coaches or those starting out, Arvo is dramatically more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TrainHeroic good for individual athletes?
TrainHeroic is free for individual athletes, but it's designed as a program delivery platform, not a coaching app. You follow programs from coaches or the marketplace. There's no AI to adapt to your performance. For intelligent individual coaching, Arvo is better.
How much does TrainHeroic cost for coaches?
TrainHeroic starts at $500/year for basic coaching features. More advanced features (multiple coaches, phone support, API access) can cost $900-$1800/year. Arvo's coach features are included in the €6/month individual plan.
Does TrainHeroic have AI?
No. TrainHeroic is a program delivery and communication platform. Coaches write programs, athletes follow them. There's no AI to suggest weights, adapt to your fatigue, or optimize your training. Arvo uses 20 AI agents for intelligent coaching.
Which is better for coaches?
TrainHeroic is built for coaches managing teams and groups - it excels at program delivery and group communication. Arvo is better for individual coaching with AI-assisted programming. Different tools for different coaching models.
Can I use Arvo as a coach?
Yes. Arvo has a coach dashboard with client management, progress monitoring, Google Calendar sync, and Stripe payment integration. The AI assists your coaching by suggesting workouts and tracking client fatigue.
Is TrainHeroic or Arvo better for athletes?
For individual athletes who want intelligent coaching, Arvo is better. For athletes working with a specific coach who uses TrainHeroic, use what your coach provides. The key difference: TrainHeroic delivers coach programs; Arvo coaches you directly with AI.
Does TrainHeroic track MEV/MAV/MRV volume?
No. TrainHeroic tracks basic workout completion and performance metrics, but doesn't calculate volume landmarks per muscle group. Arvo automatically tracks MEV (Minimum Effective Volume), MAV (Maximum Adaptive Volume), and MRV (Maximum Recoverable Volume).
Can I import TrainHeroic programs to Arvo?
There's no direct import feature. However, Arvo's AI can recreate similar programming styles while adding intelligent adaptation. Within 2-3 workouts, Arvo understands your preferences and strength levels.
Which app has better team features?
TrainHeroic, definitively. It's built for teams with group messaging, leaderboards, and multi-athlete management. Arvo focuses on individual coaching with AI. For team sports or group training, TrainHeroic is the better choice.
Does TrainHeroic suggest weights?
TrainHeroic shows prescribed weights from your coach (often as percentages of 1RM), but doesn't intelligently suggest weights based on your performance. Arvo's AI calculates optimal weights for every set based on your recent sessions and current fatigue.
Is TrainHeroic marketplace worth it?
The marketplace has programs from well-known coaches and can be good value. However, marketplace programs are static - they don't adapt to you. Arvo creates adaptive programs that respond to your performance in real-time.
Which platform is better for CrossFit?
TrainHeroic is widely used in the CrossFit community for programming delivery. However, for the strength training component of CrossFit, Arvo's AI adaptation and methodology implementation can provide more intelligent guidance.
Ready for AI-Powered Coaching?
Whether you're an athlete or a coach, Arvo's AI provides intelligent training guidance. Free during beta, no credit card required.
Start Free Trial