Triathlon Training for Beginners: Gear Tips for First Timers

If you're a triathlon looking to enter your first race, you need to stock up on essential triathlon gear to help you prepare for race day. A triathlon involves three basic disciplines -- swimming, running, and biking in consecutive order, according to TotalTriathlon.

If you need a little bit of help in preparing for your upcoming triathlon, we've curated a list of beginner essential gears and tips that you'll need.

You'll first need an outfit for the whole duration of the race. According to Active.com, you can choose to have either a wetsuit or a tri-suit depending on the conditions of the race and your personal preference. A wetsuit is ideal for when the swim category of the race is in open water and is beneficial for those who aren't strong swimmers. A tri-suit is thin, lightweight, and breathable and you can use this throughout the race, but not all find this very comfortable in all disciplines of the race.

For the Swim

In this category, another must-have aside from either your wetsuit or tri-suit is a pair of goggles. According to Men's Fitness, you need to have goggles to be able to see in the water. Choose a pair that is lightweight and allows you to see clearly without any issues so you can maneuver any obstacles in the race.

Make sure to also have a swim cap during this category. This will help identify other athletes in the water, according to TriToFinish.com, as well as provide warmth if water is cold.

For the Bike

A bike is often the most expensive equipment in a triathlete's list of gears. When choosing a bike, it is important to determine what size, model, and fit is ideal for the athlete and their budget, according to Triathlete Europe.

A bike equipment must-have is a helmet. According to IronworksMultisport.com, helmets are the most important equipment second to the bike. It is important to not scrimp when buying this head protecting gear as it could mean the difference between safety and grave injury.

Another essential gear to have is sunglasses. According to LiveStrong.com, the best type of sunglasses for triathlons is those that are dark enough to sufficiently protect your eyes from the sun and are snug on the face with no issues of falling. This is a versatile gear you can use in the bike and run category.

For the Run

Running shoes are essential in this category. According to Wiggle, a pair needs to be able to provide you with proper support whether you run long or short distances or on or off the road during the race.