Customer Reviews

Triathlete Magazine's Complete Triathlon Book: The Training, Diet, Health, Equipment, and Safety Tips You Need to Do Your Best

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a beginner triathlete and I really thought this book covered the basics and then some. I am a marathoner so I didn't really go over the running section but the bike and swim sections were great for learning basics and getting some drill and cycling advice.
However, the one obvious thing missing in this book for me was training schedules. Not one in the whole book! That is really what I was looking for as a beginner because I didn't quite know how to structure my workouts on a daily basis. I did find quite a few training schedules on the internet though, and I recently bought a book with training schedules in it, so it wasn't a big deal. I found this book to be very complete in all other aspects of the triathlon so far.

I've run numerous races (including marathons) but I was new to the world of cycling and swimming. This book had just what I needed to get started and get going. I found the swim section especially useful and learned a great deal about what my stroke should look and feel like. The simple leasons took 3 minutes off my 750m pace (in the pool).
Some of the off beat advice (matching clothes) for example seemed a bit silly and directed to those jonesing. But in the end, this was a very useful book and got me through the Chicago Triathlon with out too much difficulty. Some of the lessons just have to be applied to be realized however (read here: Open water swimming!).
If this book would have had some serious training schedules in it, I would have given it 5 stars. It does contain a weak training bit right in the middle of the text, but it isn't all that helpful or informative.

This is one of the few books that really gives you some guidelines in how to put a training routine together. It explains in detail what to do according to the distance that you will be doing. It divides it according to your current fitness level, and according to the triathlon's distance. I reviewed several books in order to "get help" on as how to put a routine together, this was the best one by far. So, I really think this is a very useful book.

I read this book in a couple hours after I received it in the mail. I've competed at the most basic amatuer level in triathlons, and I've led a life that is relatively healthy (I run often, know how to swim, and I take a long bike if the weather permits). Knowing how to eat right, and how to stretch, this book provide absolutely no help to me. If, though, you've never done anything althetic before, and you don't know that "whole foods are better for you than processed foods," and you need to be told not to eat mayonaise three times a day, then maybe you should consider reading this before competing in a triathlon. I was very disappointed.

Great book. The author is an experienced writer and triathlete. He covers everything you need to know about triathlons and then some. Subjects include training methods, equipment, nutrition, swim training, bike training, run training, staying healthy, preparing for the race, what to expect on race day.

The book contains many pictures and is easy to read and understand. Useful for both beginners and experienced triathletes. Often humorous. He includes personal experiences too.

Highly recommended. You wont be dissappointed.

I had been a football player and power lifter so to call me new to endurance sports was an understatement. I needed help and thankfully this book gave it. Fitzgerald has advice on nutrition, training, equipment, how to transition, triathlon jargon and more.
I just finished the Ford NYC Triathlon and I would not have made it through without this book.
One bit of advice Fitzgerald gives that I did not follow was to do at least one open water swim prior - he was as right there as he was with the rest of the advice which I did follow.
Even if you are just thinking about getting into triathlon and just want more information - GET THIS BOOK!!!

This book has a lot of useful information, but I don't agree with some of the author's statements "Triathlon is very much an image sport," and the description of the importance of having matching stylish clothing. Also, the section on running seems to think that the answer to every running problem is simply to run faster. Other than that, a lot of the other information is useful.

Excellent entry point for the beginner and intermediate athlete interested in triathlon training. Offers insight to equipment and training, saved me a bunch of money on my most important equipment.

This book is written in a great "how to" style that was very informative and easy to read. It covers everything from shaving your legs to how to dodge the kick aimed at your head at the start of the swim. You'll be subcribing to the magazine before you finish this book!

The book has some good information for new Triathletes, but is pretty basic. Anyone can use this book, but it's definitely geared toward novice athletes.