Just when I thought my triathlon days were on hold until warmer weather returned, I found out about an indoor triathlon at Lifetime Fitness!
What’s an indoor tri and how does it work?
Lifetime Fitness clubs offer indoor tri events at many of their locations across the country on the same day. All the events are set up in the same manner. Each participant is assigned a start time to begin their swim leg. The swim is 10 minutes long where each racer completes as many laps as possible. Laps are counted by volunteers so no need to worry about keeping track.
I was slotted to start the swim with 5 of my friends. How fun right? The pool was more shallow than I was used to and felt “fast”. There was no pushing or swimming over anyone as we all had an assigned lane to swim in. Some of us are stronger swimmers and some of us are slower but it doesn’t matter at all when the “race” is set up this way. We are all in it together. Before we knew it the whistle blew for the one minute warning and the swim was complete.
There is a 10 minute break (transition 1) where we had time to change out of our swim suits and into our bike/run clothes. Obviously in a traditional tri race, there is no break or time to change but they can’t have you running through the gym dripping wet.
We hit the cycle class for our 30 minute “ride” leg 2. The minutes flew by as we chatted away with each other. The bikes had a built in computer that would keep track of pace and distance. It does not matter how fast or slow you are pedaling because you are not outside on a bike. The only thing missing for me was that I am used to taking spin classes and I was missing the motivating music. We did a few surges and played around with the resistance on our bikes to try to figure out the best strategy. At the end of the 30 minutes, one of the trainers comes over to tally up each racer’s mileage.
Transition 2 was a 10 minute break as we made our way to the treadmills in the huge cardio are of the gym. Right on cue we were all told to begin our 20 minute run. Again each of us were able to adjust our paces and run together in a straight line while chit chatting the miles away. I am not used to running on treadmills at all and it was quite different for me. The quality of their treadmills was fantastic and I felt very springy. I would say I ran at my comfortable pace for the first 16 minutes and then started to slowly up the pace. The last 2 minutes I was able to push myself out of comfort zone and sprint it out.
The gym’s run coach, Chip, came over to give us a few tips on form and pacing which also provided a nice distraction. The 20 minutes were quickly up and we were done with our mini tri race.
I have to say that I had just returned from my vacation 10 hours before the start and I was a little worried about making it through but I am so glad that I did. If you are thinking about doing a triathlon race at some point but are too afraid to sign up, an indoor tri gives you a great preview of what it might be like.
This was such a fun way to start off the new year on the right foot! I always forget how much I love the challenge of a tri and this was a blast.
Lifetime has this all figured out to a tee. The event was so well “run” and a great reminder that tri season is just around the corner. I would definitely do it again!
What do you think-Ready to give it a TRI???
linking up with Ann Marie, Nicole, Angelina Marie & Michelle
And Inspired to Be Fit with
I saw a ton of people doing indoor tri’s this weekend! I was so jealous! Great job rocking it out even after returning from vacation
It was loads of fun and so much more relaxed than a real tri
How much fun! I would love to do this to try a tri in a very controlled manner!
It is so much fun and very non threatening 🙂
I could totally do an indoor tri! The pool doesn’t scare me. It’s the swimming in a lake that puts fear in me. I love that you get a 10 minute transition. That would work for me.
Great job!
Of course you could! Yes the pool is way more relaxed and no one kicking you is always a plus
Not sure I’d ever try a tri but if I did it would definitely be indoors to start! Looks like a lot of fun!
Oh you would totally rock it! It was so laid back and low key lots of fun for sure
I had NO idea that there is such a thing as an indoor tri…. and given that I am a chicken about riding bikes outdoors down hills, this seems like the perfect thing for me to do one day…. thanks!!!
Oh it was so much fun I hope you have the chance to give one a “TRI”
This sounds great! I’m really intimidated by the idea of a tri but this sounds like a good way to test it out.
We had a blast! A non threatening way to test it out and a great workout
yeah!!! how awesome!!!
Perfect way to Tri! I will need to look into one of these soon. Not a fan of the treadmill but I guess for 20 min, I can suck it up!
Glad you had a good time.
thanks for the info!
Yes you should “TRI” one and for 20 min it’s not too bad. I never run on the mill either.
Awesome recap! An indoor triathlon sounds like something I’d be able to pull off! I haven’t swam laps in a pool in years, but this looks like a really fun challenge.
It was a fun challenge and I know you can do it for sure!
This seems like such a fun idea. What a great idea to get a mini triathlon experience and doing it with friends is even better.
Always better with friends! Great way to test out the whole experience
I did this one last year! It’s fun and totally low-key so the intimidation factor is low to zero. How fun you did it as a group!
Exactly! Now if I could just be this relaxed during a real tri swim 🙂
This looks like something I could totally do! Looks like you all had a great time, the spinning class would be my favorite part.
That’s the great thing about these races-anyone can TRI them
Awesome! I had some teammates that did our local one too. Didn’t realize it was a nationwide thing!
It is and they have a few a year. Fun way to practice
Fun! Well except for the swimming…. that is definitely not one of my strengths. I’ve been debating on getting a gym membership again and this may be a great point for it. I just keep saying I don’t know if I will have the time, sounds strange I know but I seem to spend more time at the gym when I have a membership then not and my results aren’t different it is more my time going there and socializing, waiting, whatever.
Oh yeah I think it kind of forces you to go right! I socialize at the same time 🙂
Getting my workouts in isn’t the problem is it more if I do one at home because I get up early before the girls or I go for a run then I still want to go. I usually like to get focus and get my mind in the game and I’m not one to talk while working out so it tends to lead to before or after or I try to because I get a chatty person next to me and then push myself after. My other issue was the class times as the ones I really want are while the girls are home, while I am getting them ready or taking them to/from school, or at night when I am trying to spend time with the family or busy with their activities. So I tend to stick to at home workouts (I have almost every video and program known to man), use are equipment, or go for a run while the girls are at school or with them after school. I do miss the classes but feel like I don’t make it to enough to make it worth it or move things around and then other things give and I lose more time trying to get to a lot of them. I may try a different club or if my husband is going to really travel less this year and work from home more that will be an option (the thing I am waiting on figuring out right now).
What a fun way to do a tri during winter! I’m not a strong swimmer at all, but have thought about doing a duathalon with just the bike & running involved. I could probably handle that!
Doing an indoor tri is a great way to test out the swim portion. It’s so laid back and you can take a rest if you need to. Thanks for stopping by
Sounds like a fun experience, Deborah. And kudos to you for completing the tri only hours after returning from vacation. What a great way to kick start getting back on track after being away.
It was a fun way to jump back in!
Another of my friends just did the indoor tri this weekend, and i think it’s fabulous! I don’t think we have anything like that around here, which is a shame.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Check out their website maybe you do! It was really fun
I never heard of an indoor Tri! What a great idea now that winter is here. I wish we had a pool at are gym. Great job finishing your Tri! You will be all ready to go come spring.
It was lots of fun for sure!
This is so exciting!! I think there was one up in NJ that some of my friends did. I like the format that allows beginners and experienced triathletes alike to participate together! Nice work, Deborah!
Exactly! It was lot of fun to do with friends who have never done a tri before.
This is such fun. I didn’t know there are indoor tris. What a great workout!:)
I don’t think there are many but Lifetime fitness offers them at all of their locations and it was a blast
I love the idea of an indoor tri! What a fun way to start off the year 🙂
It was a great way to start off the new year and fun to do with friends who had not done it before.
That really sounds like fun. I heard more about it from the A/A MRTT group. I wonder what percentage of participants were in MRTT? You rock for doing this right after vacation!
I think a huge group was MRTT-you have to come next time!
This sounds awesome! I wish my gym did something like this – I’m not a swimmer and don’t do well on bikes outside, so this would be a really nice way for me to try out tris! Great job, especially considering you did it right after your vacation!
Exactly! It’s such a fun way to tri out all 3. You don’t have to be a member to participate so maybe there is one near you
How freaking cool is this! I would love to do this as I am not an outdoorsy type girl but this looks AMAZING! Thanks for inspiring me for the New Year xo C
It was really fun! They have them all over the country so check it out perhaps there is one near you.
I think I could totally survive one of these indoor tris:-P looks like fun!
Oh I am pretty sure that you could rock it!
I love that this is a thing now! I get nervous about open water, but I actually might do a mini indoor tri, especially with friends.
It’s so much fun! Open water is scary but the pool not so much
This is so fun! I’ll have to see if my Aunt who has been wanting to try one has one near here. I’ve never seen a mini one done all indoors but it’s perfect for the winter weather that’s arrived. Thanks for sharing.
Oh yes I hope you can find one near you. I think they are doing it again in April
You are so awesome!! I’ve never done a Tri before but I’d love to do one. I think doing one indoors would probably be a good option for a newbie!
It is a great option for newbies and just for fun anytime.You would totally rock a tri race
Interesting! I learned something new as I never knew Indoor events like this existed! I have triathletes in the family but not sure they did any indoor ones. You looked like you were having a great time and THAT is sooo good for your health, too. Bravo!
We really were having such a great time! What a fun way to start the new year off
I remember hearing about the indoor tri when I was a member at Lifetime and it always being somethingI wanted to do. I was actually tossing around the idea of a tri this year instead of a marathon….and you gave me the kickstart to actually think about it for real!
Oh yeah so glad to hear!! You don’t have to be a member to do it so go for it
I did not realize that you didn’t need to be a member! Hmmm…now you have me really, really thinking 🙂
I believe there is another round in April although they are not posted yet. Check it out and let me know 🙂
Indoor tri sounds awesome! I have always wondered if I would survive a triathlon race. I think I should give indoor tri a TRI! LOL
Yes you should!! It’s an easy no pressure way to test out the 3 together. I believe they offer them again in April
That’s such a cool idea! What a fun way to workout in the indoors 🙂
It was a blast and great way to start off the new year 🙂
So many MRTT people did this at all of the gyms around the area! It sounds like it was a great time! The tri scares me, so this would definitely be a good start, but I still don’t know how to swim!
It is a great way to start you can totally do it. I believe there is another one in April
Deborah! Congrats!
I’m a little late, but I was so happy to read this post 🙂 And… for people who are new to triathlon, what a great way to get introduced, through a more controlled, indoor version. I love everything about it.
It was so much fun and some of the ladies have now signed on to do a sprint tri with me this summer!