BetterRunning is designed with privacy as a foundation — not a checkbox. Here is exactly what we collect, why, and what we never do.
BetterRunning ("we", "us", "our") is an iOS and Apple Watch application developed by Swedish Design, based in the Netherlands.
This Privacy Policy applies to the BetterRunning iOS app, the BetterRunning Apple Watch app, and any related services. By using BetterRunning you agree to the practices described here.
Questions? Contact us here.
BetterRunning collects only what is necessary to provide you with a personalized AI coaching experience. All data is stored locally on your device unless explicitly described otherwise in this policy.
| Category | Data | Where it lives | Shared externally? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health & fitness | HRV, heart rate, sleep, VO₂ max, workouts, running power | On-device (HealthKit) | Aggregated metrics only, to Anthropic AI API |
| User profile | First name, training preferences (free text), max heart rate, training days/week | On-device (SwiftData + UserDefaults) | Preferences text shared with AI; name never shared |
| Training plans | AI-generated plans, sessions, weekly structure | On-device (SwiftData) | Plan structure shared with AI for daily coaching context |
| AI coaching records | Daily readiness score, coaching messages, session adjustments | On-device (SwiftData) | Recent history shared with AI for continuity |
| Authentication | Apple ID (if Sign in with Apple used) | On-device (Keychain, managed by Apple) | Never shared with us or any third party |
| Subscription status | Purchase receipts, trial start date | On-device (StoreKit + UserDefaults) | Apple only (standard StoreKit flow) |
| App settings | Appearance preference, app version | On-device (UserDefaults) | Never shared |
BetterRunning requests read access to the following Apple HealthKit data types to calculate your daily readiness score and build personalized training plans:
| Data type | How it's used |
|---|---|
| Heart Rate Variability (HRV) | Core readiness signal — scored against your personal baseline |
| Resting Heart Rate | Heart rate zone calculation |
| Heart Rate | Max HR estimation, workout HR extraction |
| Sleep Analysis | Sleep duration and depth for readiness scoring |
| VO₂ Max | Fitness trend tracking |
| Running Distance | Weekly volume calculation, workout history |
| Active Energy Burned | Training load estimation |
| Running Power | Power trend chart (Apple Watch Series 8+) |
| Workouts | Run detection, history, and auto-completion |
The Apple Watch app writes completed workout sessions back to HealthKit so your runs appear in the Health app like any other workout.
All readiness calculations happen entirely on your device. No raw HealthKit records are transmitted anywhere. The AI receives only aggregated outputs — not individual health measurements.
HealthKit data is never used for advertising, never shared with data brokers, and never used for any purpose outside of providing you with coaching inside BetterRunning.
BetterRunning uses the Anthropic Claude API to generate training plans, daily coaching adjustments, and post-run feedback. In plain language, here is what each type of request includes:
Your goal description, a summary of your recent training history (approximate volume, pace range, recent run count), and your free-text scheduling preferences. No raw health records are included.
Your readiness score for the day, the key signals behind it (a single HRV value, sleep total, and training load level), and the details of your planned session. A brief summary of recent coaching history is also included so the AI can maintain continuity.
Your planned session and your actual workout results as recorded in Apple Health — duration, distance, average heart rate, and pace. No other health data is included.
The Anthropic API receives aggregated outputs — not a health record. It cannot identify who you are.
Anthropic's data processing practices are governed by their own Privacy Policy. We do not share your data with Anthropic for any purpose other than generating your coaching responses.
BetterRunning is built without any of the following:
BetterRunning uses zero third-party SDKs beyond Apple's own frameworks. The only external network call is to the Anthropic AI API described above.
All BetterRunning data lives on your device, never on a server operated by us:
Standard iCloud backup may include app data as part of your device backup. You can disable iCloud backup for BetterRunning in iOS Settings → your name → iCloud → Manage Storage.
All network communication uses HTTPS (TLS 1.2+). Data at rest is protected by iOS data protection (encrypted when the device is locked).
BetterRunning makes network requests to exactly two external destinations:
| Destination | Purpose | Data sent |
|---|---|---|
| api.anthropic.com | AI coaching (plan generation, daily coaching, post-run feedback) | Aggregated fitness metrics, plan structure, preferences text — see Section 4 |
| Apple (StoreKit) | Subscription management and in-app purchase validation | Standard Apple StoreKit flow — governed by Apple's Privacy Policy |
There is no BetterRunning analytics endpoint, no marketing pixel, and no CDN that logs your requests.
Because all data is stored on your device, you are always in full control:
We have no server-side copy of your data to delete on request — because it doesn't exist. Your data lives on your device and nowhere else.
BetterRunning is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the European Union). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the app, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps.
We may update this Privacy Policy as BetterRunning evolves. When we make material changes, we will:
Continued use of BetterRunning after a policy update constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.
BetterRunning is currently in external beta. The feature set and data practices described here may change before the general release.
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please reach out. We read every message.