There truly is an app for everything and these five make triathlon training more fun and convenient
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For any sort of difficulty, there’s always an app for that. Here are some apps triathletes should download on their smartphones to better manage their training right in the palm of their hands.
1. Strava: An all-around GPS navigator and activity tracker
This fitness app essentially turns any modern smartphone into a highly capable bike or run computer. It has long been able to track speed, distance, and location data through GPS but its most recent update also allows it to be paired with ANT+ (requires an external key accessory for the phone) or Bluetooth Smart sensors, thereby also tracking heart rate, cadence, and power data.
Strava has also been redesigned with better integration between its mapping and navigation functions and its live ride metrics. The developers also claim they’ve optimized the app to minimize cellular data usage and maximize battery life but pack a small powerbank nonetheless, especially during long distance runs or rides.
Similar apps: Cyclemeter, MapMyRide
2. Training Peaks: Personal training coach on-the-go
There are several websites and apps for tracking, logging, and analyzing an endurance athlete’s performance data but none does it quite as professionally as Training Peaks. It even has separate editions of its services: one for athletes and a dedicated one for coaches. Through its mobile app, an athlete can conveniently access their training program anywhere and instantly upload data, which coaches remotely can keep track of.
Similar apps: SportTracks, Garmin Connect
3. MyFitnessPal: Your online calorie counter
Weight control through proper diet is just as important as physical training for improving and maintaining competitive performance. MyFitnessPal provides access to a highly extensive food database and allows users to log their food consumption and exercise activities. They could then control their eating and exercise habits to accurately balance their calorie count to optimum levels.
Similar apps: Lose It!, Calorie Counter
4. Road ID: A must have personal safety app
Anyone who bikes and trains on open roads should always have contingency measures for any emergency. Road ID allows users to customize their phone’s lockscreen to show personal details, emergency contacts, and medical information for the benefit of emergency responders without needing to unlock the phone. It is still advised however to have a physical road ID because phones obviously could break or run out of batteries.
The app also has an eCrumb feature that allows users to have select people track and see their location online in real-time to give themselves peace of mind. This also has the optional “Stationary Alert” function that sends a notification to a selected contact when the user stops moving for more than five minutes.
Similar apps: Garmin Connect (LiveTrack), Map My Tracks
5. Swim Radar: For finding nearby swimming pools
Triathletes travel a lot to train and race, and although swimming pools are everywhere in the Philippines, only few are designed and suitable for practice laps. Swim Radar can locate swimming pools around the user’s current location or around an indicated address. You can set search parameters for size, distance from locations, type (indoor or outdoor), and accessibility (private or public). It will then present several results complete with contact information and navigation route.
Editor’s note: Swim Radar has stopped new development of its app, according to its official website
Similar apps: Swim Guide
These apps make training more convenient but will also count for nothing without the athlete’s personal determination to grow and improve. With or without these apps, just go out and train. Make no excuses.