9 Best Triathlon Books for Beginners in 2023
People who believe in themselves can complete a triathlon with real motivation and effort. All this starts with training and consistency in your passion. When you become a part of a Ironman race or degree, you need to learn certain methodologies and principles.
The same is the case with triathlons. But some people can’t afford personal trainers or coaches. For those, there is another best option, which is reading the triathlon books.
Successful completion of a triathlon isn’t just about physical prowess; it’s a testament to one’s dedication, planning, and belief. Well-structured training plans plays a pivotal role in ensuring an athlete’s readiness for the race.
While having a personal coach is beneficial, not everyone has the luxury. However, the right knowledge source can be just as impactful, if not more. This is where triathlon books come into play. These books, packed with expert advice, training strategies, and techniques, can serve as the backbone of an effective training plan.
Choosing the best triathlon book will become easier with this article that has been done for you already. In this article, we have mentioned the best-guiding triathlon books for triathletes who are passionate about their work.
The Importance of Structured Training Programs
Before delving into the world of triathlon literature, it’s crucial to understand the significance of structured training programs. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned triathlete of a race season, a well-defined training program acts as the backbone of your preparations. It provides a clear roadmap, setting milestones that guide you to reach your ultimate goal: completing a triathlon successfully.
However, not everyone has access to personalized training plans or coaches. This is where triathlon books, with their vast wealth of knowledge, play a pivotal role. These books not only provide theoretical insights but also offer practical training programs and schedules, bridging the gap for those who might not have the resources for individualized coaching.
Best Triathlon Books | Top Book Recommendations for Triathlon Enthusiasts
Each discussed book is useful and gives you a bright perspective of multisport.
1. The Triathlete’s Training Bible | Why It’s Every Athlete’s Must-Have
If there’s one guide that has garnered acclaim in the triathlon community, it’s the “Triathlete’s Training Bible.” This invaluable resource, often referred to as the definitive guide for triathletes, has transformed how endurance athletes approach their training. The “Triathlete’s Training Bible,” written by the esteemed coach Joe Friel, offers insights spanning all triathlon disciplines. By delving deep into the principles outlined in the “Triathlete’s Training Bible,” athletes, whether beginners or pros, can significantly enhance their athletic performance, making it a must-have on every triathlete’s bookshelf.
Triathlon’s Training Plan was written by a famous and trusted coach named Joe Friel. His coaching training programs have been facilitated by many people all around the world. The latest is the 4th edition of this book with improved and well-organized data, which informs you about several triathlon techniques. This book provides complete guidance and direction about swimming, running, and cycling.
Are you just getting started with triathlons and wondering about the fundamentals of this exhilarating sport? Or perhaps you’re an experienced triathlete looking to refresh your knowledge? Either way, we’ve got you covered. For those seeking an introduction to triathlons, our comprehensive guide on triathlon basics is the perfect starting point. It delves into everything you need to know, from the various race distances to relay options, transition tips, and much more.
There is no rocket science or extra lengthy explanations about triathletes and triathlon. The writer writes to the point, which will totally help in improving your performance. Thus, triathlon books will clearly save your time as well as money.
- Strength Training Foundations: Friel outlines the core principles of strength training for triathletes. This segment dives deep into the basic exercises that form the backbone of a robust regimen.
- Strength Training Integration: Learn how to seamlessly integrate strength training sessions with your regular triathlon routine, ensuring you gain maximum benefits without risking overtraining.
- Benefits of Strength Training for Triathletes: This section elucidates how strength training can improve performance, enhance muscle power, and reduce injury risks.
- Periodization and Strength Training: Friel discusses the importance of planning and structuring your strength training cycles to align with your overall triathlon training calendar. This ensures that you peak at the right times and recover adequately.
2. Going Long | The Ultimate Guide to IRONMAN Distance Triathlon Training
This is another book by Joe Friel which he wrote with another great triathlon coach named Gordon Byrn.
This book contains basic information about triathlon, which will help beginners to get into this field. The chapters provide sports-specific statistics and data, for example, about swimming, cycling, and running.
The mental strategies discussed in this book makes it great. Friel also discussed the tips and tricks which are required to become a good triathlete.
This book is just like hiring a personal trainer if you read it with passion and the right intention. Moreover, writers also add pictures, tables, and graphs to make the triathlon books more visually attractive and easily memoizable.
3. The Complete IRONMAN | Strategies, Techniques, and Endurance Secrets
The writer of this book, Bob Babbitt, is a legend in the arena of triathlon. He is the earliest finisher of IRONMAN and also the founder of many endurance training media platforms.
In this book, he talks about the historical performances and success stories that become motivational pillars for newbies.
This book is a complete package even for those who have a personal trainer because it tells you every aspect that matters. The book looks like a colorful tale related to endurance athletes racing that keeps you in pace and develops interest so that you can read it and learn from it.
4. Fast-Track Triathlete
This is another ironman triathlon training book written by legendary trainer Matt Dixon. He delivers helpful and effective information in this book that discusses life balancing and long course triathlon.
This book is like a trainer that specifically focuses on the following topics: strength training, mobility, or movements related to Athlon, nutrition or its importance, and recovery.
Moreover, through the triathlon books title, you can get that the writer is trying to assist iron-distance triathletes in optimizing their practice and triathlon training. Matt Dixon’s theories and texts support the famous saying, “Practice makes a man perfect”.
The author developed a unique and directed approach to long-lasting and effective triathlon training in the minimum time possible. The learning comes from experience and practice. But, one needs to know the basic rules and principles of triathlon to become the best athlete.
The author claimed that this book will help athletes make personal records by triathlon training 10 hours a week, which is crazy yet amazing. This book is the best triathlon book because it is time effective and efficient.
5. Total Immersion
The author of this book named Terry Laughlin is an expert in swimming for 30 years. He developed a very different method that allows every athlete, i.e., beginner, intermediate, or expert, to learn how to become a master in swimming.
According to Laughlin, swimming is like a meditation that needs mindfulness to feel comfortable in the water. He named this technique “mindful fluid movement”. It is not an athletic property but an easy approach, particularly for swimming.
This skill can be further improved through practice and experience. The main key is to relax and enjoy swimming.
6. Becoming a Supple Leopard
Improve your performance and become a triathlete with this best triathlon book written by two great writers and ultimate fitness trainers Kelly Starrett and Glen Cordoza.
If you have read previously written books of Kelly Starrett, then you would definitely know about biomechanics, patterns and styles of movement, and motions related to triathlon.
But this book informs you about injuries and accidents related to athletes. Moreover, they explain the methods or prevention measures that need to be adopted seriously to resist and rehabilitate athletic damages.
7. To the Finish Line
A former English triathlete who is a four-time world champion in the Ironman triathlon and SUNDAY TIMES best selling author wrote this book.
She is one of the successful and best athletes in the world’s triathlon history, and her success is reflected in this book. It gives you the best tips and advice that you will need throughout your career or triathlon experience.
Moreover, this book encourages readers and motivates them towards their goals and ambitions. If you want to take a serious incentive and direct inspiration, this book would be a great admirer.
8. Feed Zone Table
This is a trendy and high rated book written by Biju Thomas and Allen Lim. This book contains a series of recipes created by chef Biju and tick marked by sports physiologist Allen. These recipes contribute to your healthy lifestyle and sports.
Unlike other boring triathlon books, which only gives you details and explanations about triathlon, this book mainly focuses on your diet and health.
It has the yummiest and healthiest recipes, which are made from organic ingredients that boost your immunity and work for the betterment of your health.
Not only physical health, but this book also plays a role in the amelioration of your mental health, which is very important.
9. The Power Meter Handbook
This is another great book by Joe Friel – an expert coach. In this book, he guides about cycling.
Friel has also provided us with his impressive and innovative tricks and methods, which many athletes follow and praises in their career.
In this book, he talked about a power meter used to measure the increase in the bike’s output power. The power is calculated via torque and angular velocity. It is measured in watts.
This book is written in simple words so that it can be understandable by beginners. It explains the power meter and its purpose in fundamental terms.
With this best triathlon book, you will have a clear vision about power meters, extra power, pacing, and other beneficial and effective information.
Once you know about power cycling, Joe explains to you more about cycling. Like the types of races, time trials, century rides, and more.
FAQs
Conclusion
People who believe in themselves can complete a triathlon with real motivation and effort. Many embark on this journey not just for the competitive spirit but also as a strategic approach to lose weight and achieve optimal fitness. All this starts with training and consistency in your passion. Weight loss combined with triathlon training can be immensely fulfilling. It’s not just about shedding pounds but also gaining stamina, strength, and endurance. When you become a part of a race or degree, you need to learn certain methodologies and principles.
If you are passionate about triathlon but running short on budget, you will definitely try any of these best triathlon books. Not every book is best for you because it totally depends upon your goals, so the book you purchase must have strongly focused on your goals.
Having these triathlon books really helps by informing you about basic principles, techniques, and tricks which are imperative to become a pro athlete. The triathlon books mentioned in this article are written by the world’s best triathlon trainers, champions, and great authors, which will help you and motivate you in the accomplishment of your ambitions.
Eric Jordan
Writer | Triathlete
A writer by passion and a triathlete coach profession. In his free time, he swims, runs, cycles, and helps newbie athletes to achieve their goals.
