| Triathlon Swimming Training
Triathlon swim training is swim training which is designed to help you compete in a triathlon event. Triathlons usually begin with a swim either in the pool or in the open water, such as in a lake or in the sea. Triathlon swim training therefore differs from regular swim training in the following respects:
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• Triathlon swim sessions tend to concentrate heavily on the fastest swim stroke used in races i.e. freestyle.
• Proficiency in the other strokes can be beneficial in training, but is not required.
• Metasport triathlon swim sessions cater for a wide variety of swimmer abilities.
• Triathlon swim training will also tend to deal with aspects that are unique to triathlon e.g. looking up to see where you are going in open water. |
The swim section of a triathlon is almost always the first event, and usually involves a mass start, unless it is in the pool. The nature of a triathlon swim training program will therefore depend on what type of event you are doing, and how long it is, but will also depend on factors such as your age, level of experience, and your level of fitness.
TRAINING
As with general swimming training, a triathlon swim program should include the following elements:
→ Endurance
→ Strength
→ Speed/power
→ Drills to improve technique and efficiency
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Swimming training is not only important for your development as a triathlete, but is also important for recovery from training in the other 2 disciplines i.e. running and cycling.
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• Swimming is an excellent, low impact way of getting blood and oxygen to the muscles as part of an active recovery, and also injects an important element of upper body training into a triathlete’s training repertoire, which otherwise concentrates on the legs. |
GO FOR IT!
Triathlon swim training can be undertaken by almost anyone at almost any level of fitness. Those looking to use swimming more as a training tool without competing in triathlons, may find triathlon swim training more accessible than general swim training as it concentrates on the most simple stroke. And for those of you for whom swimming is not their strongest discipline, you would be amazed how quickly you can make significant progress. Whether you are a weak swimmer, or even a non-swimmer, with the help of a Metasport coach, and an effective program, your swim times will begin to tumble!
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• Get in touch with the coaches and members at Metasport, for excellent advice and support with training programs designed for all abilities and levels of experience. |
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