Strength training has become a more prevalent part of an athlete’s workout regime. While it has been proven that strength training can help us to build muscle and burn fat, there are so many different factors and reasons why strength training is something that everyone should incorporate into their routines.
Along with muscle building and fat burning, strength training also improves upon a person’s posture and helps to strengthen your bones. As a result of this, the likelihood of an injury among athletes as well as the severity of the injury itself is greatly reduced. In the case of an injury, however, the healing process can also be faster as well.
It’s inevitable that injuries are going to happen during sports competition. Whether it’s a muscle strain, ligament tear or broken bone, athletes are generally at a higher risk of injuries due to the high speed and physicality of sports. This is where strength training comes into help. A comprehensive, well-organized, properly-administered strength program results in muscle-tendon units that are more resilient to the stresses sustained in athletic activities. In other words, strength training allows athletes to better prepare their bodies physically for all of the sweat and hard work they are putting in at practices and games, and also allows for athletes to increase their stamina, flexibility, and overall performance on the field or in the gym.
While we often make time for more swimming, biking and running, strength training often takes a back seat. But a properly focused triathlon-specific strength program can be the most efficient way to boost performance in all three disciples while helping you stay injury free. The off season is a particularly opportune time to introduce strength training to your triathlon preparation regime. Although most triathletes know how to exercise, many are confused about what exercises and types of structured workouts will specifically improve their running, biking, and swimming performance.
In addition to improved performance and reduced risk of injury, a good strength training program can deliver the following benefits:
- Enhanced strength and confidence
- Muscular endurance and power.
- Improved form and efficiency in all three disciplines
- Decreased fatigue
- Improved flexibility
- Healthy, efficient body composition
- Increased resting metabolism
- Increased bone mineral density
- Improved glucose metabolism
- Maintain triathlon fitness while traveling