STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

Often neglected, always recommended. Working on your core and flexibility will ensure you become a fitter and more productive triathlete. And it’ll limit your chances of injury, too

47 YOGILATES

Don’t be put off trying yoga or pilates because you’re a triathlete. Doing a class will improve your flexibility and range of movement and turn you into a different athlete. The overall core strength and balance skills that you’ll gain are invaluable.

48 BACK TO BASICS

Back strength can dictate your ability as an athlete, so including exercises like dorsal raises, lat-pull-downs, spinal

rotations and upright rows will improve the chain that holds you together. And focusing on neck strength is also vital for longerdistance cyclists.

49 PLYOMETRICS

Exercises that you often see in a circuit class can be great for improving power to your muscles. Any movements that include jumping, lunging or bounding are also superb for balance and help to strengthen connective tissues like tendons.

50 THE GUN SHOW

Apart from giving you sculpted arms and shoulders, working on your upper body with exercises like curls, dips, press-ups and rowing will help give you extra power for your swim stroke, as well as propulsion in your run form.

51 MASTER THE MIDDLE

If there’s one area that triathletes neglect at their peril, it’s their core strength. A weak core will see the body collapse as you fatigue, especially in the later stages of long-distance racing. Plenty of time doing planks is the way forward, and also include bridges, side bends and crunches to help achieve a solid middle section.