triathlon training
conditioning SPORTS SERIES
TAPPING INTO TRIATHLON
WITH THE GROWTH OF TRIATHLON AT AMATEUR AS WELL AS ELITE LEVEL, THERE’S A CLEAR OPPORTUNITY FOR OPERATORS TO INTRODUCE TRIATHLON TRAINING AND EVENTS IN THEIR FACILITIES. NICOLA JOYCE REPORTS
O
fficial fgures from British Triathlon – the sport’s NGB – suggest that a large proportion of a health
club or leisure centre’s members will train for at least one triathlon this year. The fastest-growing sport in Britain, triathlon’s popularity shows no sign of waning, with London 2012 predicted to boost interest at amateur level. In 2010/2011, British Triathlon recorded
a 15.7 per cent increase in membership numbers, with a surprisingly equal split across genders (59 per cent male, 41 per cent female). The largest age group represented is the cash-rich, goal-focused 35- to 44-year-old category.
Although triathlon is an outdoor sport, athletes need indoor training facilities
DRIVING LOYALTY Although triathlon is an
outdoor sport, training lends itself well to a club setting. Triathletes need to train in indoor pools, and can benefit from indoor cycling sessions and running training on a track. Outdoor bike and run groups also need a base, as do existing local triathlon clubs, who are often are keen to partner with facilities that have an indoor pool. Says Mark Barfi eld, director of
development at British Triathlon and director of operations at Triathlon England: “Operators can offer their facility as a meeting point for bike and run sessions and, if they have a pool, that’s an obvious benefi t” – access to pool time is, he says, always an issue for triathletes.
“Offering sessions across any
combination of the swim/bike/run trio will attract those interested in triathlons. Additionally, operators could use strength and conditioning sessions, group cycling and pilates as a draw. “Triathletes are a very dynamic group
of people – typically ABC1s – who are willing to embrace any new idea which will help them perform better.” And for those not yet involved
in triathlon, to whom it can be a daunting prospect, offering a first step within the familiar surroundings of their existing health club or leisure centre removes the pressure of committing to an event or joining a triathlon club as a newcomer. This can help build confidence and a sense of community – key to the success of an in-club triathlon club.
Outdoor bike and run groups need a base, as do existing triathlon clubs who are often keen to partner up
50
Not all clubs are able to offer a pool as part of a triathlon training programme, but those who can stand to benefit
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital january 2012 © cybertrek 2012
©
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ALAIN LAUGA
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84