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triathlon training


TECHNIQUE FOR RESULTS


“Cycling improvement comes through a combination of better technique and consistent, sustained training,” he says. “As pedalling technique improves, the physiological effort required to maintain a particular cadence and power output reduces, and the triathlete becomes faster. When we transfer this to road cycling, improvements tend to be in multiples of minutes, and that’s significant.” Fletcher’s findings have also shown that indoor training on the Wattbike


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translates into faster run times, which he attributes to better use of the leg muscles with improved pedalling technique and more efficient, economical physiological effort. “I would advise clubs to engage a cycling expert who can coach pedalling technique, structure training and run individual indoor training sessions,” says Fletcher. “A knowledge of how to test cyclists and calculate training zones is important. Ideally, they will have a feel for how to look at the relationship between cadence, power, heart rate and leg speed.”


riathlon training has far-reaching benefits for your more goal- and performance-orientated members. Eddie Fletcher is the resident sport scientist at Wattbike, the indoor bike endorsed by British Cycling.


Barfield suggests that facilities can


also run triathlon events themselves or in partnership with local triathlon clubs, providing an opportunity to better drive revenue as well as retention. “The multi-sport nature of triathlon lends itself to many opportunities: a dry triathlon challenge in the gym, an aquathlon (swim/run), a full triathlon or any combination of the three sports,” he says. “British Triathlon is keen to work with


any venue wishing to run multi-sport activities. And we’re happy to help any club operator to generate a triathlon club. Our partnership with DLL is non-exclusive, and we’ve seen the in-club club model work across diverse locations. We can offer training for coaches and best practice guidance.” Nagi suggests that operators begin


by working with triathlon coaches in their area, who will be full of ideas and contacts. “You need someone with vision to get things moving,” he comments. “We have an amazing facility here, with an outdoor and an indoor pool, huge gym and beautiful grounds with a running trail. We have all the ingredients to make it work. We now run three triathlons, a duathlon and two children’s aquathlons every year.”


REVENUE DRIVER Everyone Active (SLM) is the first leisure management group to work with Triathlon England on a national level, cross-promoting its in-house triathlon initiative with the NGB. Group exercise development manager Michelle Bletso pioneered the relationship, and feels that working in partnership with an NGB allows the group to offer more to members. “Everyone Active has started to train staff to run official triathlon training sessions at our centres with a


“AS TRIATHLON CLUBS


GROW IN SIZE, THERE WILL BE FURTHER COMMERCIAL


OPPORTUNITIES... IT’S A GREAT REVENUE-GENERATION TOOL


Representatives from British Triathlon say they are keen to work with any venue wishing to run multi-sport activities


52 Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital january 2012 © cybertrek 2012


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