My AI Is Better Than Yours

I asked new kid on the block DeepSeek and good old ChatGPT on controversial training topics

Feb 01, 2025

Welcome! For those who are new here — I’m Arne, a passionate cyclist and engineer with an interest in AI. I explore how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is transforming sports—or not—and what it means for athletes, coaches and sport enthusiasts. (P.S. Not everything I write is 100% serious)

Most of you probably know ChatGPT. The AI chatbot that you can ask anything. For those following the news, you might have heard about DeepSeek and how its huge spike in popularity caused stock markets to plummet worldwide. I’m not going to write about the what’s and why’s behind that—you can Google it (or ask DeepSeek/ChatGPT 😉).

DeepSeek, why should you care?

Because I am telling you, duhh. Jokes aside, DeepSeek’s latest AI models are on par with ChatGPT’s models whilst developed at a fraction of the costs. The DeepSeek app hit #1 in the App Store in no time. Leaving all the controversy around DeepSeek aside, I was eager to try it.

Battle Royale

There are many sophisticated methods to compare LLMs (large-language-models, the models that are behind a chatbot). However, since I’m writing for entertainment too, let’s just have some fun. I asked both chatGPT and DeepSeek about some of the hottest controversial topics in endurance sports and see what the almighty AI has to say about them.

Carbon Monoxide Rebreathing: The Next Big Endurance Hack or Just Legalized Blood Doping?
Fasted Training: The Ultimate Endurance Hack or a One-Way Ticket to Burnout?
Training Schedule: Who Is The Better Coach, an AI or Real Person?

Ready to rumble? Let’s go! 👇 (I made sure to prompt both AIs for an enjoyable read.)

1. Carbon Monoxide Rebreathing: The Next Big Endurance Hack or Just Legalized Blood Doping?

ChatGPT: Carbon monoxide rebreathing (CO-R) might sound like a sci-fi endurance hack, but let’s be real—it’s just a sneaky form of blood doping with a legal loophole. By increasing hemoglobin levels, CO-R mimics the effects of EPO, giving athletes a clear performance edge without technically breaking anti-doping rules. But here’s the catch: it's risky. CO exposure, even in controlled settings, can have long-term health consequences, and the ethical gray area is undeniable. If sports regulators don’t step in soon, we might see endurance races won not by the strongest lungs, but by the most daring biohackers.

DeepSeek: Carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing is a controversial endurance hack that walks a fine line between innovation and ethical concern. By boosting hemoglobin levels, it mimics altitude training but risks normalizing dangerous practices. While it’s not outright blood doping, it flirts with the same performance-enhancing principles. Proponents argue it’s a legal edge; critics call it a slippery slope. Until long-term safety and fairness are proven, it’s more "risky experiment" than "next big thing." Endurance athletes, proceed with caution—this hack might leave you gasping for more than just air. 🚴‍♂️💨 #TrainSmartNotDangerous

Okay, okay, both are clearly against it—ChatGPT is a bit bolder here, daring to make the direct comparison with blood doping. +1 for ChatGPT.

A simple, cartoon-style blue whale wearing a carbon monoxide rebreathing mask. The whale has a smooth, rounded body with minimal details and a neutral but slightly curious expression. The rebreathing mask is securely fitted over its mouth and connected to a small tank. The background features a simple ocean setting with gentle waves, keeping the scene fun and lighthearted. The overall vibe is playful and slightly humorous, resembling an animated character design.

2. Fasted Training: The Ultimate Endurance Hack or a One-Way Ticket to Burnout?

ChatGPT: Fasted training can be a powerful tool for endurance athletes looking to enhance fat adaptation and metabolic efficiency. It forces the body to rely more on fat stores, which may improve endurance over time. However, it’s not a magic bullet—going too hard or doing it too often can lead to muscle breakdown, impaired recovery, and increased risk of burnout.

The key? Use it strategically. Keep intensity low, fuel properly post-workout, and listen to your body. If done right, it’s a hack. If abused, it’s a crash-and-burn scenario. 🚴‍♂️🔥

DeepSeek: Fasted training can be a game-changer for endurance athletes, boosting fat adaptation and efficiency—if done right. But tread carefully! Without proper fueling and recovery, it’s a fast track to burnout, not breakthroughs. Balance is key: experiment smartly, listen to your body, and don’t skip the post-workout feast! 🚴‍♂️⚡🍽️

Not a magic bullet to ChatGPT but a potential game-changer to DeepSeek. The only thing I’ll remember? The post-workout feast.🍕

3. Training Schedule: Who Is The Better Coach, an AI or a Real Person?

ChatGPT: While AI excels at creating data-driven, customized training schedules, it can't replace the intuition and personal touch of a real coach. AI brings precision, consistency, and immediate adaptation to progress, but a human coach offers motivation, empathy, and deep understanding of an athlete’s mental state—factors that technology can't replicate. Ultimately, the best approach might be a combination of both, leveraging AI for structure and real coaches for inspiration and nuanced feedback.

DeepSeek: An AI coach wins hands down for consistency, data-driven insights, and 24/7 availability—no coffee breaks! However, a real person brings empathy, adaptability, and motivational charisma that AI can't replicate (yet). For structured, repetitive tasks: AI. For emotional support and nuanced guidance: human. The best coach? A hybrid—AI for the brain, humans for the heart!

I expected the AIs to side with AI. Maybe they’re not self-aware after all.

Conclusion of the day: don’t do CO-R kids, go for a fasted ride and eat all the food afterwards. And when it comes to coaching? Find yourself an AI cyborg.