Last Sunday my running crew and I participated in the Lifetime Fitness Indoor Triathlon for the second time. What is an indoor triathlon you ask? How does it work? Let’s take a look.
Lifetime Fitness hosts these indoor triathlons each January at a number of their locations around the country. These events are designed to help people jump start their January fitness and give them an opportunity to see what a traditional tri race might be like. Here’s how it’s “run”:
Ready to go!
The Swim
We were assigned a swim time to start our 10 minute swim. Each participant swims as many laps as possible within the 10 minutes. The laps are recorded by a gym employee. We were all able to start in the same wave. Pre swim trying to look as fierce as the woman in the photo. Not sure we accomplished that!
We then had a 10 minute “transition” to change into our bike clothing and head upstairs. Obviously, in a real triathlon, one would not have 10 minutes to change and catch their breath.
The Bike
We were assigned a spin bike with a computer on it and each of us had 30 minutes to bike as many miles as we could. We had lots of fun singing and talking and lots of sweating. Some of us noticed how much harder this felt than a spin class as we did not have any down time. I sometimes struggle to find just the right amount of tension to give me the correct watts on the bike. I pedaled my heart out and was proud of my effort and clocked just under 9 miles. Working on my gears is on my winter goals list.
We then had 5 minutes to transition to the treadmill area of the gym to begin the run.
The Run
We simultaneously started our 20 minute treadmill run. Each participant runs as far as they can in the 2o minute period rather than a certain distance. I am not really used to running on the treadmill but felt pretty good after biking. We all picked up the pace the last few minutes and finished strong. Just like that, we were all done! Such a blast and got me really pumped to start training for my spring tri race.
All in all a great way to start off the New Year with a fun low key event. I realized during the event that I could really benefit from doing some of my tri training in this same time based way instead of only training by miles. I have no idea why I never thought of that before!
If you have a lifetime fitness nearby, I highly recommend this event. You don not have to be a member to sign up. It’s well run and lots of fun for people of all fitness levels. We even got a nice T shirt and swim cap. Can’t wait to do it again next year.
Have you ever done an indoor Tri race? Do you train by time or only by distance?
linking up today:
Coaches Corner: Suz, Debbie, Lora, Rachel
Wild Workout Wednesday: AnnMarie, Michelle, Jen, Nicole
That sounds like SO much fun! And more approachable that an outdoor tri. I’m terrified of an open swim!
Open swims still scare me even after doing a few. This is great way to try out all 3 sports at once
This sounds like alot of fun! There was something similar at the gym where I used to go. My parents are members at a Lifetime but its a little far away for me to get to.
It’s worth it if they have another event check it out!
OK, I think I could “tri” this next year. 🙂 You did great on the bike! I don’t go that fast outside, and outside there are terrain changes to build on.
I am going to remind you next year to sign up! I don’t go that fast outside either it’s completely different inside
This sounds like an great experience! I would love to do a Tri, but I’m afriad of open water swimming. An indoor swimming pool is something I would feel more comfortable doing for sure!
The open water swims still scare me! I am doing a few races this summer with outdoor pool swims and I am much more comfortable with that
Ha! I have never done any tri (indoors or outdoors). I did do a du in 2015, though, and that was a great challenge 😉 This looks like a great way to manage the water aspect of a tri LOL
The water aspect is the scariest sometimes for sure!
I’ve thought about doing something like this as kind of an intro to the tri thing! Looks like a great time.
I think you would love it!
What! That sounds SO fun!! I wish there was a gym around here that did that! I don’t think I could do a try outside, but inside…I might be able to manage! A tri is a tri, right???? lol
I am pretty sure you could do an outside one too!
This is such a great idea. I like that its time limits so everyone moves onto the next thing at the same time but you can still be competitive with your distance.
Yes exactly! It’s perfect for friends to do together that might not be at the same pace
This is my kind of tri ie the only one that I could do because I don’t have a bike!
Yes well there’s that 🙂
This sounds like so much fun! I can swim, but I haven’t swam laps in years…that would definitely be my struggle point! It looks like you ladies had a blast!
This is a anxiety free way to do a tri swim for sure!
Sounds and looks like fun and some hard work! If only there wasn’t swimming I’d love to do one someday.
You could totally do one the swim portion is short
I think I could actually do this one!
Oh I know you totally could!
This actually sounds like A LOT of fun…except I don’t swim so it probably would have taken me 10 mins to swim 2 laps!
Oh now I seriously doubt that! You would crush it
I’ve never done an in door tri race, but this is something that I might need t o add to the 2017 list!!
Check out their schedule they have them all over the country
A few places here also host indoor tris in the winter. I love the idea, and I love not being cold 🙂
Yes a definite plus!
Love the idea of doing one indoors in the winter. I think that I could do. Definitely with ten minutes in between. And not worry about bike mechanics.
For sure you should try to do one they are fun
I would totally try an indoor tri. It might help me break into the real thing!
I think it might!
I think you ladies looked pretty fierce before the race. I wouldn’t want to mess with you!
I think an indoor triathlon sounds like a great way kick off the season when you live somewhere where outdoor racing just isn’t feasible at the moment. Looks like fun!
Yes exactly! It got me excited to start training
This sounds oddly fun to me, and I’m a terrible swimmer! But if it’s just a timed thing I could totally do it!
It is so less scary in an indoor pool-you could definitely do it
Love that they have indoor tri’s like this for average competitors, I think that is awesome! They have them in the town I live in, but I think I remember one of the facilities I visited for a class said the ones they host people have to qualify to get into them, I should have questioned more on that, but I didn’t 🙁
I’m not a triathlete (yet) but maybe one day!
This is a great way to try it out! I hope you check into it next time you see one by you.
I absolutely love this idea! I wish a gym around here would do something like this! Great job!
They have them at their locations all around the country check it out may be one near you
Sounds like fun! I’d be barely more than dog paddling, but the rest sounds awesome.
You should join us next year it’s a lot of fun
I’ve seen these events at the Lifetime gyms. But I didn’t ever do them. I’m not a strong swimmer or runner. But it sounds like a great event to get people introduced to tri’s and other events. Sounds like it was fun and low key.
They are really designed for all levels you should give it a go!
That looks like a super fun way to start the year! Not too taxing but a cool way to try a tri! Great job! You always find cool things 🙂
Yes exactly a fun way to jump start the season!
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Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad you like the recipes. Will check yours out as well
Looks fun and a great way for a newbie to get the feel of what a triathlon is like!
definitely! It got me excited to start training for the season too
I’ve still never done a completely indoor tri, but it sounds like so much fun! Congrats!!
You know it really is! Hope you have the chance to “tri” one 🙂
I’ve never done anything like this but would definitely like to try, it sounds SO FUN! And y’all look fierce as hell in all your photos!
Ah you are sweet Kate! I hope you do have the chance to tri one yourself.
This sounds so fun! I have never done a totally indoor triathlon, but such a great idea for the winter months! Congrats, love all the pictures!! 🙂
it is great motivation in the winter time