When most people think of the ultimate athletic accomplishment, it’s not the Super Bowl or World Series that comes to mind. Instead, it’s a triathlon. Athletes who take part in these events have to go through a rigorous training process to prepare and the event that stumps them the most is the swimming portion. Running and biking requires very little equipment and can be done at any time, but swimming is another story. In order to properly train, athletes need to have access to a pool on a regular basis. Learn how a Naperville swim club can help throughout your training process and what you should look for when choosing one.
How Long Is The Swimming Portion Of A Triathlon?
Although the swimming portion is the shortest part of any triathlon, that doesn’t mean it’s easy! Swimming takes an incredible amount of effort and energy and smart tri-athletes know that they need to train just as hard, no matter what the distance. The most common swimming distances are:
- 0.465 mile in a Sprint
- 0.93 mile in an Intermediate
- 1.2 miles in a Long Course (also called a half Ironman)
- 2.4 miles in an Ultra Distance (also called an Ironman)
A Naperville Swim Club Will Offer Lessons For Athletes
Sure, you already know how to swim — that’s a given if you’re planning on completing a triathlon. However, leisure swimming is quite different than racing against the clock, but if you go all out on your triathlon swim, you’re not going to have enough energy to complete the bike ride and the run.
It’s not uncommon for a Naperville swim club to offer private swimming lessons. In these lessons, tri-athletes won’t be worrying about actually staying afloat. Instead, they can receive unique tips on how to conserve energy while swimming at a top speed. Your instructor can help provide tips that will tweak your technique so you can learn how to increase your speed without draining yourself.
A Naperville Swim Club Will Offer Open Swim Times
Next, make sure that your Naperville swim club offers plenty of available times so you can fit training into your schedule. The best clubs will have morning, afternoon and evening hours and offer access at least six days a week. These convenient hours mean that you’ll be able to train nearly any day of the week.
Find A Naperville Swim Club That Offers Monthly Packages
If you’re only planning on using the pool to train for your triathlon, it probably doesn’t make sense to pay for a full year’s membership. Instead, look for a location that will allow you to join on a month-by-month basis. Once your triathlon is over, you might find that you enjoy swimming for fitness and extend your membership.
Look For A Naperville Swim Club That’s Indoors
Outdoor pools just aren’t practical for year-round use in the Midwest. The weather can be unpredictable throughout the year and too cold for outdoor swimming for at least 8 months. Without an indoor pool at a Naperville swim club, your training schedule will be determined by the weather and not your needs.
Whether you’re training for a triathlon or you just want a place to swim for exercise, the DuPage Swimming Center might just be the perfect fit. To learn more about our Naperville swim club, please click here.