Your guide to preparing your first or your best triathlon!

How to train for your triathlon swim

Swimmers enjoying a scale swimming workout

How do you even train for your triathlon swim anyway?

Everyone starts training for a triathlon from different levels. Different levels of fitness, different levels of skills.

Many people get into triathlons from running or cycling backgrounds and realise swimming is their worst discipline.

So let's answer your questions:

"What's the best method for triathlon swim training?",

"How can I start training for triathlon swimming?",

"What swimming training plan should I use!?"

Here's the answer...

You go to the pool with a swimming training set to follow

Alex Thurston teaching a scale swimming workout

The key to triathlon swimming training

Triathlon swimming training is quite different to running training or cycling training. When running or cycling, it's adequate to head out into the world and aim to continuously go further and faster.

Triathlon swim training is different as the majority of your speed in the water, your endurance in the water and the amount of energy you use in the water is all determined by your swimming technique.

Because of this, the best triathlon swimming training comprises more short distances, swimming drills and sprints which improve your technique faster than if you were to just...

Going to the pool and swimming 1km without stopping?

This is biggest mistake new triathletes make when they start training for their triathlon swim.

Swimming sessions are split into Speed, Distance and Technique sessions. If you're looking to hit your next PB, you do more speed sessions, if you need to increase your distance in the pool, do more distance sessions.

If you're a new triathlete and not confident in the water, you should be entirely focussing on technique! Even if you're an experienced athlete, around 25% of your swimming sessions should be focussing on technique.

Where can I get swimming training sets that will help me progress in the pool?

Introducing...
Scale Swimming Waterproof Triathlon Training Books

Professionally designed triathlon swimming sets to help you improve your technique, endurance and power in the water!

With sets from Sophie Coldwell, Jodie Stimpson, Rich Emmett and Alex Thurston

Each book contains 11 professionally designed triathlon swimming sets

Triathlon swim workouts, built for all levels of triathlete: from beginner, to proficient!

Throw in your kitbag, pop on the side of the pool and follow the swimming workout - Simple!

Books are totally waterproof, stand on the side of the pool with an quick kickstand, are clear to see with foggy goggles and so simple, anyone can understand them!