Having spent a week in the winter sunshine in Lanzarote last week it has reminded me why I make an effort to go on warm weather training camp each year, and although last week in the sun was about family time rather than training time, it has definitely whet my appetite to get back to the island again in a few weeks for a training camp. Here are my five reasons why, you should consider heading to the sun to immerse yourself in the ‘Tri Life’ on a coached warm weather training camp.
A warm-weather training camp allows you to leave behind the distractions of daily life, work, inclement weather and other commitments, so you can fully immerse yourself in your training and allow you to embrace the Tri life for a week. With a structured schedule and a supportive coached environment, you’ll make progress that might take months to achieve at home.
Winter training is tough and with freezing temperatures, icy roads, storms and limited daylight it can make even the most pleasant of training sessions at home feel like a hardship. Warm weather camps provide consistent sunshine and enjoyable temperatures creating the perfect setting for outdoor swimming, cycling, and running. Training in optimal conditions not only improves your performance but also boosts motivation and enjoyment of the sport.
Many training camps are led by experienced triathlon coaches who provide personalised advice, hands-on instruction, and immediate feedback. Whether it’s refining your swim stroke, improving your cycling efficiency or developing a better running form, expert coaching helps you address weaknesses to help you unlock your potential for the season ahead.
Surrounding yourself with other like-minded athletes fosters motivation and camaraderie. Group workouts challenge you to push your limits while creating a sense of accountability and shared accomplishment. The friendships and connections formed at these camps often last long after the sessions end, rocking up to a race bumping into a training camp buddy is great fun. Camps generally have varied levels and break athletes up into groups to ensure everyone is working to their optimal ability across swim, bike and run, so maybe you are a fish in the water but huff and puff up the hills on the bike, don’t worry you will generally be grouped with athletes of similar ability so that you enjoy rather than endure your week of training in the sin.
A week or two of focused training in a warm-weather camp can lead to noticeable fitness gains. The combination of structured workouts, consistent effort and expert guidance helps you build endurance, strength and speed in a condensed time frame. Beyond the physical benefits, completing challenging sessions boosts mental toughness and confidence, as well as enhancing your swim, bike and run skill set, setting you up for success in the upcoming race season.
A warm-weather triathlon training camp is more than just an escape from winter, it’s a chance to refine your skills, elevate your fitness, reignite your passion for the sport and embrace the ‘tri life’. Whether you’re preparing for your first race or striving for a personal best, the benefits of attending a coached warm weather camp are well worth the investment.
There are lots of options to choose from in terms of selecting the destination, dates and of course the coaches hosting the camps. From personal experience I’ve taken part in the Primed Coaching & Podium Fit Camp with Oliver Harkin & Paddy McLoughlin for the past number of years in Lanzarote and plan to be back on the island with them this year, they also host annual camps in Mallorca. I’ve also been to Portugal with Tri Training Harder who have numerous camp options available in a variety of European destinations.
Here is a selection of other coached camps I’ve come across whilst in Lanzarote and heard great things about from participants.
Remember, when selecting your camp, be sure to do your own research, check reviews and choose the camp that best suits your ability and aspirations
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