With government restrictions and triathlon activity suspended, triathlon clubs around Britain are finding new ways of training together and doing their bit to keep morale high amongst their members.
One of these clubs is Tunbridge Wells Triathlon Club, who have adapted their sessions during the lockdown to help members keep fit and stay connected to look after their mental and physical health.
With social contact moving online and only one piece of outdoor exercise allowed per day, there’s been a rise in the popularity of home exercise sessions and video conferencing platforms; two things that the club have made good use of.
Commenting on their new set up, club chair Ken MacSporran said: “We wanted to ensure we kept the social contact between us, as well as providing high quality fitness coaching and instruction.
“We've also had kids and partners join in, dogs sit in front of screens and it's the tidiest our houses have ever been.”
Indoor group bike rides have been set up by the club with group video calls to allow members to ride together from their own homes, encouraging and cheering one another on as they do so.
Strength and conditioning and yoga sessions are also shared online, with members able to get involved with the live session and get to know each other in different ways.
“We've had great fun seeing each other on video conferencing,” Ken said. “Whether it’s on turbo trainers, on yoga mats or in strength and conditioning sessions it’s worked really well.
“It’s something a bit different, and when we’re doing press ups, all you see are twenty backsides appearing and disappearing for 40 seconds."
It’s not all indoors however, with the club helping people to find approved run routes for their once-a-day outside exercise. Routes which keep them on their own and close to their homes, whilst utilising wide roads and paths near them.
To help keep the competitive spirit alive, they’ve set up a 5km run leaderboard, allowing members to compare their times without meeting to race.
As with many clubs, Tunbridge is also proud to have a range of frontline workers in the NHS, police and other key services amongst their membership.
In support of the dedication of these services and to say thank you, the club are offering free membership during the lockdown to key workers to help them look after themselves as they look after others.
If you’re a key worker and want to claim this free membership, please email chair@tunbridgewellstriathlonclub.org with your staff ID.
As a club they’ve also recently been awarded TriMark Club Bronze by Triathlon England. An award which shows their commitment to safeguarding and a recognised structure of organisation.
Share how your club is staying connected and active during the lockdown by tagging @BritTri on Facebook and Twitter with your photos and videos.
