How to Do Strength Training for Triathlons

Video Transcript

"Hello my name is David Brown and today we are going to talk about strength training for triathlon. So what's the difference between regular strength training and strength training for triathlon. Well not a lot. Except that it's very important when you strength train and how you strength train in relation to your triathlon season. For example, the type of strength training that you'll be doing in the off season usually the winter, is much different then the type of strength training you'll be doing during the race season. Now the main difference is, is looking at volume and time and the kind of exercises you are going to be doing. In the off season this is a good time for you to try to explore different and new strength activities. And pushing yourself. Doing heavier, harder weights, maybe trying a new activity, something that is completely different that you've done before. Now why is this important? Because in the off season it's what you want to do with your body. You want to challenge your body in different ways then you have during the triathlon season. Because during the triathlon season we only swim, we only bike and we only run but we don't do a lot of other stuff. So it's really important. What kind of strength training am I talking about? This can be free weights, this can be some sort of medicine ball workout, this can be body weight exercise, Olympic weight lifting, it doesn't really matter. But the most important part, is that before you go into any new strength training plan, that you consult a personal trainer. These guys are professionals and they know what they are talking about. They'll set you up with a plan, with a beginning, and a goal and that is by far the most important part by doing strength training plan in the off season. And try new things. It's a lot of fun, it's supposed to be fun. Now as you are getting into the season and during the season this is going to change. So let's say in the off season you were strength training three to five times a week, now if you are in season, this is going to go one to three times a week and probably only be about thirty minutes in duration. Now during the season, the reason why you want to strength train, is not to get stronger and faster and better. But to prevent your self from getting injuries. This is a very important differentiation that you must understand. What do I mean by that? Well your strength training is really going to become mostly body weight exercises and you are going to work on a lot of muscles throughout the core, the lower back and the hips. Areas that typically become problem areas during the season by only running, swimming and biking."