7 Triathlon Myths Busted: What Beginners Really Need to Know

When you're new to triathlon, it’s easy to feel intimidated by all the gear, lingo, and seasoned athletes. You might hear a lot of "rules" or assumptions that can hold you back from jumping in. But here’s the truth: triathlon is way more accessible than it seems.

Let’s bust some of the most common myths so you can focus on what really matters—getting started and enjoying the journey.

1. You need a fancy (and expensive) bike to race. False! You absolutely do not need a $5,000 tri bike to start. Many beginners use basic road bikes or even hybrids.

In fact, you don't even need to own a bike to start. You can do indoor training (i.e. cycling classes) and then rent a bike for race day if you prefer to "try a tri" before making the decision to get a bike - this is actually what I did for my first race!

2. You have to be good at all three sports. Nope. Almost everyone comes into triathlon stronger in one area—whether that’s swimming, biking, or running. You don’t have to be perfect in any discipline. Training helps you grow across the board.

Swimming is the area most beginner triathletes come in with the least experience. If that is the case for you, remember that this leg is always the shortest part of the race. Train to the point where you can treat the swim as a warmup (not be totally gassed by the end of the leg) and have more of a focus on the bike and run.

3. Triathletes are all elite, super-fit athletes. Not all! Triathletes come in all fitness levels, ages, and backgrounds. The sport is filled with working parents, retirees, students—you name it. The only thing that makes you a triathlete is doing triathlons.

4. You need to know all the gear and jargon. Triathlon can seem like a different language at first: aero bars, brick workouts, transitions... But you don’t need to know it all before your first race. You’ll pick it up along the way, and plenty of people are happy to help.

5. You must train for hours every day. Good news: You can train efficiently without overhauling your life. Sprint-distance plans can take as little as 4–6 hours per week. Olympic plans might be 6–10 hours. Smart, consistent training beats high volume.

Check out my Sprint and Olympic training plans!

6. Open water swimming is terrifying. It can feel intimidating, but with practice and proper safety precautions, you’ll gain confidence. Start in calm, shallow waters and swim with a buddy or group. Wetsuits help with buoyancy too (if race day temperatures allow).

Reminder: when you are looking to sign up for your first race, keep an eye out for what kind of open water swimming the race entails (ocean, lake or pool).

7. You have to look or dress a certain way. Forget the pressure to look like a pro. Wear what’s comfortable, safe, and functional. You don’t need a tri-suit for your first race—just clothes that work for swim, bike, and run.

Final Thoughts

Triathlon can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s more welcoming than many expect. Don’t let myths or misconceptions keep you from giving it a try. Start where you are, use what you have, and grow as you go. You’ve got this!