Some background, I’m relatively new to multisport as this is my first year racing. I have a running background and figured “why not”, I can do triathlon. Since I couldn’t swim (and still suck at it), I joined a Masters team and do that 2-3 times a week and swim on my own on the other days. I’ve participated in 5 multisport races this year (3 sprint tris and 2 duathlons) with pretty crappy results, taking the year as an opportunity to learn. I’m in the DC area and am considering joining a team to help me get better and challenge myself by training with faster people. With that said, what are the good and bad of joining a Tri Club/Team? Personality wise, I’m pretty introverted and do 99% of my training alone (not including Masters obviously), which I like, but to get better it may be time to work with some people that will push me and make training more than just a thing I do because it’s in TP. Thanks in advance for any feedback.
I can’t think of what the downside would be. In DC there are a lot of great clubs – I will personally promote Snapple and DC Tri Club – and pretty easy to join.
There aren’t really any commitments to being in either of these clubs. Just show up and work out when you feel like and don’t when you don’t feel like it. DC Tri does a Saturday ride every week out meeting in Georgetown at M and Wisconsin at 7:30. Come on out this week and check it out to see if you like it.
I am a member of a tri club and it is OK. I pay about the same as one would pay on the low end of personalized coaching, about $145 a month in addition to my monthly Lifetime membership dues. We are a pretty social club, which I like. The only thing I don’t like is that we are focused on long distance tris (HIM and Ironman) and I think that intimidates newcomers.
$145 a month??? What in the world would justify that kind of cost? That better come with a coach…
We have two USAT certified coaches who do our training plans. We get three potential group workouts a week and one personalized phone call a week. Tri specific online only coaches are at least $145 a month so it is fairly reasonable.
I am a member of 2 tri teams. I do 100% of my training alone and basically do not attend their functions. But I like to help them out by giving my annual dues.
And at some races I am able to rack in a better stop by using one of the teams bike racks.
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Here’s my take.
Pros:
-Training with other athletes. In my case I found a team with some spectacular athletes with whom I can train and push myself to be better.
-companionship. After spending so many hours a week with the same people you do develope some good friendships.
-value. For me I pay $150/mo, I get unlimited access to our gym facility, coached track (1 per week)/swim(4pw)/bike workouts(3pw), regular membership at the gym is $100/mo.
-Discounts/Swag: we have some great sponsors so we got some nice discounts and gear, including free Castelli kits, Rudy Project helmets and sunglasses, Newton shoes discount plus bike/shoes/etc discounts in store.
Cons:
-Cliquey. Our team has been roughly the same team for the past 5-7 years with maybe 2-3 new members a year. This being my first year te team came off kind of cliquey at first until I got to know them more.
-Drama. Don’t date teammates. Just don’t. Trust me.
I joined a tri club when I moved to Utah from another state as much for the social aspect as for the training. I’ve since moved on, but it was definitely the right thing for me at the time
Pros:
- Group atmosphere is a good motivation to train on the days you may not feel like it
- You’ll learn a lot, especially if you’re a novice in the sport.
- You’ll hear about a lot of local events and races that you may not otherwise find out about.
- Saving money with carpooling/splitting hotel rooms, other perks at races, free swag, discounts on gear etc…
- Team tri kit
Cons:
- Time/Scheduling. Aside from the fact that I was starting to butt heads with the coach of the club, the biggest reason I stopped participating was that I got married and needed to spend time with my wife instead of 3-4 nights a week at workouts. Training alone a 90 minute bike ride takes me 90 minutes when I leave from my front door. A 90 minute group ride takes three hours after you’ve included transport to and from the start, standing around talking, waiting for the person that forgot to pump their tires, etc…
- Cost. As others have noted lots of tri clubs cost close to as much as a full time coach, and with varying levels of actual coaching and competence.
We have two USAT certified coaches who do our training plans. We get three potential group workouts a week and one personalized phone call a week. Tri specific online only coaches are at least $145 a month so it is fairly reasonable.
You haven’t been looking too hard for coaches if you feel $145 is the minimum.
There are litterally 15+ different tri clubs/tri teams in the DC metro area. They vary from $50/year to $200 month, depending on what you are looking for. Within those 15+, I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to find one that fits what you are looking for, what you want to get out them, and your budget.
The only thing that I can think of that is on the bad side is that their workout schedules may not fit into your personal life/work schedule … hence you’ll end up training along like what you are doing now.
There are a few types of tri teams.
Teams that are for a specific coach or coaching group. Usually the most expensive, need to be using the coach or in their program, often local area with group workouts.
Team that is geared toward fast FOP folks, often you need to be selected to be in the top group
Team that promotes triathlon…often sponsored by local bike/tri shop, group workouts often put on by other team members, social, supportive and usually the least expensive often less than $100/year. Often get discounts at bike/tri shop and other tri suppliers
I think the last type of team is positive for most everyone. The other two may work if you fit the profile and your goals are in line with that of the team.
There are a few types of tri teams.
Teams that are for a specific coach or coaching group. Usually the most expensive, need to be using the coach or in their program, often local area with group workouts.
Team that is geared toward fast FOP folks, often you need to be selected to be in the top group
Team that promotes triathlon…often sponsored by local bike/tri shop, group workouts often put on by other team members, social, supportive and usually the least expensive often less than $100/year. Often get discounts at bike/tri shop and other tri suppliers
I think the last type of team is positive for most everyone. The other two may work if you fit the profile and your goals are in line with that of the team.
This about sums it up perfectly. I am a member of two club/teams. One is very social, offers 3 coached workouts a week (bike, speed work, brick), and sponsor discounts. The other is a team belonging to a coaching company, I dont get my coaching from them but I am part of their team. I joined the first when I was new to triathlon and wanted to meet more people and ask beginner questions and I am still a member because I like the people and the workouts. It costs $50 a year. I joined the second team because they have a lot of fast people and I wanted to push myself and the provided the motivation and inspiration. I attend their weekly run workouts. They also offer computainer sessions, and sponsor discounts. This team is $350 a year and $250 if your coached by them. I find value in both of them, really no cons.
We have two USAT certified coaches who do our training plans. We get three potential group workouts a week and one personalized phone call a week. Tri specific online only coaches are at least $145 a month so it is fairly reasonable.
You haven’t been looking too hard for coaches if you feel $145 is the minimum.
For a personalized plan in the Boulder area $145 is a steal. Most teams that use “plans” which are part of a team use a generic plan, which is fine if that is what you know you are paying for. I think training peaks will do an individualized plan for $75 a month or something but that is completely online only. Keep in mind I live in triathlon capital of the world so it is quite possible I see inflated prices.
I’ve seen “push myself” mentioned twice now.
You hear folks say that the #1 “rookie mistake” triathletes tend to make in training is, hard efforts are too easy, and easy efforts are too hard. Consequently, too much time is spent training in that no-man’s-land between really hard and easy.
(I thought this was a great quote (paraphrasing): your easy runs should be so slow that you’d be embarrassed if someone you knew saw you.)
Seems like being in a quasi-competitive environment with other athletes would make this situation worse, not better. I highly doubt “embarrassing” is the pace for many tri-club workouts.
In other words, “pushing yourself” could well be the opposite of what one should be doing in the majority of workouts.
Pro-Early sign up opportunities for IM races.
That’s about the only benefit that I have rec’d from my club. I am a member only because I want to support their efforts to promote the sport. I do think beginner’s can benefit from clinics, info. sessions etc. that the club promotes.
Totally agree and that took me a while to learn but I know that now. When I mentioned push myself it was only in regards to the track work that we do as a team, 200 and 400 repeats. When The goal is all out, they allow me to go all out and make those hard efforts hard. Also to push myself to be more consistent in my training by working with athletes that are were I want to be. Making my easy efforts too hard is a problem I try to avoid by doing those workouts solo, thus less “embarrassing”
No downside really. My experience has been very positive - a lot of good people enthusiastic about the sport and willing to offer advice, be training partners, etc.
I try to make some of the group work outs and most of the happy hours. Priorities, man.
Week by week personalized plans from Tripower.org are $85.
Very knowledgeable coach, discuss what your plans/goals are for the year and/or off season. Plans workouts around races, daily life and unplanned life incidences.
Colorado would be a great place to be a triathlete. I wish I could train there 
Good:
The group that I train w/is motivating. I push myself more and work alot harder w/the group.
It is especially motivating over the winter when I have others to bike/run with when it is cold.
Accountability
Bad:
Group dynamics can really suck.
If there are really irritating people in the group they will always be at the workouts…always…every time…guaranteed…
KK
Our town has no triathlon club.
If we did, I would definitely be involved.
Not for motivation - no problem there.