The question “where should I start my triathlon training program?” should be your first question you should ask yourself. And since this question is your starting point if you want to become a triathlete, it is at the same time most difficult to answer. To somehow guide you on your decision making here are the things you should know:

Like learning a skill, you should know what particular point you are presently in. Are you a beginner? Have you already been doing some of the disciplines in the triathlon? Where is your weak point? Do you know how to swim? Do you know how to bike? Where are your strengths? Have you been doing all these and would only want to have a structured training? Have you just got up from your couch and manage to realize that you want to run, swim, and bike?

All these questions and many other questions related to identifying where to start your triathlon training program should be considered. This would let you identify where to start.

Where to start should coincide with your goal and your reasoning for why you need to train. The truth is, there are hundreds of ways and variations of training you can adapt. If you were unable to identify your goal, you will probably fail.

Set your goal, both short term and long term. In this way you know the limits of your training. If you have no plans of joining the Ironman, then skip the idea of running, swimming, and biking 6 days a week. You will only strain yourself and would eventually lead you to losing interest. If you were only making your entry to the 3 disciplines, then it would not be healthy if you start strong. Move gradually until you reach your goal.

Another reason why you should not start strong if you are only a beginner is the risk of injury. You simply cannot do couch-to-5k in one day.

If in case you have been training for some time and would like to enter a triathlon, you can start from where you are at present. Improve your skill from there but remember, you have to have a goal to follow and achieve.

Whether you are a beginner or have been training for triathlons for some time, one thing remains the same: you must have a goal to follow. And this would give you the idea of what type of tri training program you should choose.

As with any other sport you might play, except perhaps a child’s game of tag, you’re going to need some equipment for a triathlon. If you’re serious about competing and being successful in your triathlons, then you’ll need proper triathlon training gear. The right gear can help you succeed whereas the wrong triathlon training gear will do nothing but waste your money.

You might not think of your wetsuit as part of your triathlon training gear but it really is. The right suit is going to help keep you insulated in the water, as even on the warmest of summer days water can still be very cold. It can also help keep you buoyant, and triathlon suits are built to be worn through all legs of the competition so that you don’t need to waste time changing between events. The reason you want to consider your suit as part of your triathlon training gear is that some people are a bit uncomfortable with a suit when they first start out, being used to a regular swimsuit in the water and bike shorts while riding. Suits are designed to be very comfortable and lightweight, but you should still practice all three parts of your competition in one and consider it as being part of your usual triathlon training gear so that you know exactly what to expect on the day of your competition.

The right triathlon training gear for your bike is also important. So-called aerobars, which lean you forward while riding, allow the largest muscles in your legs to work the hardest which then cuts down on fatigue and can give you greater control of your bike over rocky terrain. Racing wheels are also considered by many to be invaluable triathlon training gear equipment especially if your biking part of the competition is held indoors. These wheels can really help to shave some valuable minutes off your overall speed and time.

Of course triathlon training gear should include whatever is right for you. If you need to improve your running time you may need to include weight lifting in your routine to build up your leg muscles; the same for swimming, which requires upper body strength. It’s important to be honest and realistic about the parts of a triathlon that you need to improve upon so that you can improve your training routine for yourself personally.