When entering the world of triathlon, the first thing you will notice is that practicing three sports can get expensive! There is an upfront investment that is required when starting in triathlon. Which may be a deterrent for a lot of folks to enter or even stay in the sport. Here we will talk about how to keep triathlon costs lower when investing in this sport as a beginner and how to continue being cost-effective moving forward because we would love for you to view this sport as a lifelong endeavor!
Let’s talk about the main initial expenses. First, there is the minimum basic equipment which includes a watch, a swimsuit, goggles, swim tools, a bike, a helmet, and running shoes. For a watch, the cheapest multisport options are the Garmin forerunner 200 series watches or Coros Pace or Apex series. A new watch is still costly ($250+). This is why it is a good idea to wait until the holiday sales and explore Facebook Marketplace for a gently used watch or ask for one as a gift from loved ones. Once you have a watch, you can mount it to the handlebars of your bike to use it as a bike computer to save more money when starting.
For the best discount swimwear and goggles, swimoutlet.com has year-round sales. Their savings are extra plentiful around the holidays too. To preserve your swimsuit and goggles, make sure you rinse the chlorine off after each swim. Additionally, once you start using swim tools such as buoys, paddles, fins, and kickboards. See if your gym or high school pool allows you to borrow theirs to avoid buying your own.
As a beginner, it is recommended to stick to a road bike for your first few races. The focus during your first year should be to learn and have fun. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars upfront on a carbon frame triathlon bike until you decide this sport is something you want to continue doing. Once you have fallen in love with the sport and are ready to invest, go to a bike shop to get your measurements/determine your size. Then you can buy a used triathlon bike and wheels at a discount from Facebook marketplace groups like Tri N’ Sell it or theproscloset.com. When it comes to helmets, do not buy them used. When it comes to safety, cost should not be compromised. There is a wide range of helmet producers with a wide range of prices. It is best to shop around.
Running shoes can range from ~$80-300 per pair with an average new pair of shoes being around ~$150. One way to save money on shoes is to buy the older model of the shoe. When a new shoe is released, companies generally put the older model on sale. Additionally, rotating between 2 pairs of shoes throughout training will help them last longer.
As you continue in the sport, you will want to purchase more equipment. Such as a bike trainer, a bike computer, a wetsuit, tri suits, etc. If it hasn’t been stressed enough, buying gently used is the best way to keep triathlon cost-effective. On the flip side, if you maintain your equipment, you can resell your old equipment when you decide to upgrade yours. Triathlon equipment holds its value fairly well. So the better you maintain it, the more likely you are to get most of your money back.
After equipment, races are another large cost in the sport. Ironman and Clash races are ~$300+ for middle/half distance and full are ~$700+. As part of an Ironman Tri club, you can sign up for races during the pre-sale (1 year out) which is when prices are the cheapest. If that is too far in advance to plan, signing up as early as possible before entry fees go up can save you $25 – $100 per race. Ironman and Clash are not the only organization that host triathlons. Look online (using active.com or a basic web search) for races local to you. Not only will registration fees be cheaper but you may save money on transportation costs.
Even lodging if it is close enough to your home or the home of a friend or family member. Lodging and transportation tend to be expenses that aren’t always considered when signing up for races so keep that in mind when creating your annual race plan. If you know you are doing more than 5 USAT-sanctioned races. I recommend buying your annual USAT pass ($50) vs the single race pass ($10-15)
Coaching is another expense that goes along with the sport. With coaching, you will get what you pay for and there are no discounts. Generally, lower-cost coaches or programs do not provide as many services including individualized plans, regular 1:1 interactions, in-depth data analysis, and race plans. 1:1 triathlon coaching is the best way to succeed with your goals throughout the year because your coach will continually do all the planning for you. Your coach is a wealth of knowledge that you can always ask questions to. Having a coach who knows you as a person and as an athlete is invaluable.
Lastly, nutrition costs may not seem like a big cost. However, when consistently consuming and replenishing your stock, it can add up quickly. When buying nutrition, it is best to buy when it is on sale and buying in bulk. One strategy I like to use is to buy 6 months’ stock for the first half of the year during the winter holiday sales. Then the second 6 months of stock during the Memorial day sales. Some athletes make their gels and drinks, which may take more time but can save money. Also, you can use cheaper brands for the majority of training. Then only switch over to more expensive brands when it gets closer to a race. If there is a brand that you tend to favor. Most nutrition companies have an ambassadorship program as well which is usually rewarded with extra discounts.
Overall, triathlon can be an expensive hobby. But its costs can be managed by making smart decisions on where and when to buy. Remember these tips for this holiday season!
Carly and Tyler Guggemos built Organic Coaching in 2014 with a simple philosophy that works. The idea is to take what you have and grow it to get faster, fitter and stronger. And to do it with the time you have – not the time you wish you had.
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