GEAR

General

Swim

Bike

Run

Bricks

HRM & RPE

Transitions

Gear

Introduction

Have you got your credit card at the ready? Go, go go!!!!!

No, wait a minute, triathlon doesn't have to be expensive, it can be, if you want the latest must have bike, shoes, glasses and wetsuit out there. However, it is perfectly possible to take part on very little financial outlay, and if you've trained well enough, to beat a few folk with all that shiny new gear!

On this page is a list of gear used for training in each of the disciplines.

Swimming

Swimming kit  - You will need a pair of trunks/costume for your pool-based training. Swim in your baggie shorts to start with, but you'll be much more streamline and quicker in trunks. 

Goggles - Goggles are quite a personal thing, some people like the type that fit in the sockets of their eyes, others prefer one that are more mask-like and give a panoramic view.

Hat - Some people wear them in the pool, others don't. If you've got long hair then it's an essential piece of kit. If you’re doing open water (OW) swimming, especially at the start of the year, then a neoprene hat or 2 normal swim hats will help keep you more comfortable.

Wetsuit & related - These are mandatory in many races, unless the water is warm. Usually made from neoprene material, they keep the swimmer warm and also add buoyancy. I've heard people say that a wetsuit can cut upto 2 minutes off their 1500m swim time! You can also get hats (see above), boots and gloves made of the same material to keep the cold at bay.

Pool toys - Floats, pull bouys, fins, gloves and bands. All of these are used by good swimmers and many triathletes splash out the cash for them too. But do you need them? No, not unless you've got your technique really sorted and are already swimming fast and efficiently. Otherwise these swim aids can cause you problems by covering possible problems in your technique. Ask a swim/tri couch if you'd benefit from incorporating the use of these in your sessions - they should be able to guide you on this.

Bike

Helmet - Could well save your life. Get one and train in it. After all, apart from reducing the chances of you suffering a head injury, you have to wear one to race in, so may as well get used to it!

Your ride - Well, this is where it can all get stupidly expensive. You can spend thousands on a carbon, time trial/tri specific wonder machine. Researching it is the best bit of advice I can give. Ask people what bike they rate for your level of fitness and the budget you have. Look around at the models that are suggested, compare prices between shops, search eBay, see if you can get a second hand one much cheaper.

Set a budget and stick to it! You could have a hard time explaining to your other half where all the holiday money has gone, after you've blown it all on your new ride!

Clothing - Bike specific clothes are great for training in, especially for longer training sessions. The tops have more material to keep you covered, for warmth & in case of accidents. The shorts/bib johns have extra padding to keep your undercarriage comfortable. Gloves will keep your hands warm and prevent numbness sometimes encountered by having pressure on the palms for extended periods.

Shoes -Bike shoes, along with appropriate pedals, give a solid platform to transfer more power from the legs into the pedals. They have an area on the sole that clips into the pedal. The mechanism can be adjusted to allow the shoe to unclip more or less easily. Bike shoes usually have a Velcro fastener and are generally designed to be aerodynamic.

Glasses - Get a pair of shades for riding with.  

Turbo trainer - This turns your bike into an indoor cycling machine. They are like an A-frame that you lock your bike's back wheel into and then apply a roller to the tyre to give resistance to pedal against. They are especially good for interval training an training over the winter, when day light and good weather are scarce!

Power meter - When you train on your bike and try and put down an even pace, how do you judge that pace? On heart rate, speed, RPE? A power metre fitted to your bike will tell you exactly how many Watts you are pushing out. This has the advantage of not varying when the wind is in your face, or you are riding up a hill.

Bike computer - You can pick a basic one of these up from some supermarkets. It'll give you speed, distance covered, average speed, time etc etc. Some top of the range bike computers link up with power metres and HRM's to give all reading in the one device - but expect to pay for the privilege!

Running

Pair of shoes, some loose clothes and off you go!

Shoes - The most important piece of running equipment is your shoes. Research, given your budget and way the running style you have, have a look at running shoes reviews. Once you've decided on a pair, have a run around the shop in them to make sure they feel OK.

When you get them home, break them in slowly to avoid too much blistering. Phase new ones in over a 2 week period, that's about 5-6 sessions.

Socks - You can get run specific socks to try to prevent blister further. These are usually single or double skin with no seams near the usual rub zones on the foot. The idea with double skinned socks is that the two layers rub against each other rather than your skin.

Clothing - Some people prefer tight fitting kit and usually use triathlon shorts and vest to run in. Many people like to run in loose running shorts and vest - it really is up to you. Be careful when wearing cotton on longish runs, especially on hot days - it will soak up alot of sweat, get heavier and rub.

Race day

To limit worrying endlessly on race day about forgetting some piece of vital kit, here's a basic check list:

• Bike

• Shoes (bike and running if you use both)

• Helmet - no helmet no race!

• Swim kit / trisuit

• Goggles

• Drink/food for the bike & apres race

1. •Other clothes, if you don't have a trisuit, you may want a t-shirt to run in or cycle shorts for  
   

the bike.

• Heart rate monitor

• Talc - for shoes, helps get wet feet in quicker!

• Bike pump

• Emergency money - may need for parking, chocolate etc

• Towels - 1 for transition, 1 to dry after your shower!

• Bodywash/shampoo

• Paper work including directions there & back, race instructions and BTF licence (if a member)

Put all the gear in a big sports bag and check it, then check it again. Later re-check just to make sure you have everything, then on race day you’lI probably check it 2 or 3 more times before you leave the house!