Athlete safety
Triathlon training carries real risk. This page sets out what we expect from you, what you can expect from coaching, and the rules that keep training safe.
Confirm you are fit to train. If you are new to exercise, returning after a break, pregnant, over 40 and previously inactive, or managing any medical condition — including heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or a recent injury — get clearance from your GP or a qualified health professional before beginning a plan.
Tell your coach about any condition, medication, allergy or past injury during onboarding, and update us as soon as anything changes. Your plan is only as safe as the information behind it.
Chest pain or tightness, an irregular or racing heartbeat, unusual breathlessness, dizziness or fainting, sudden severe headache, confusion, numbness or loss of coordination, or sharp joint or muscle pain that changes how you move.
Never train through these symptoms and never "test" them at the next session.
Do not train with a fever, chest infection, vomiting or diarrhoea. Rest, recover, and tell your coach — the plan will be adjusted. Mild symptoms above the neck may allow easy training, but if in doubt, rest.
Report pain early. Pain that alters your technique, worsens during a session, or persists afterwards needs assessment by a physiotherapist or doctor. Coaching does not diagnose or treat injury.
Never swim alone in open water. Use supervised venues, swim with a group or a spotter, wear a brightly coloured cap and a tow float, and check water temperature, current, tides and water quality before entering. Acclimatise gradually to cold water and get out at the first sign of shivering, numbness or disorientation. Wear a wetsuit where conditions require it.
Always wear a correctly fitted helmet. Follow the Highway Code, use lights front and rear in poor light, wear high-visibility clothing, and carry a phone and ID. Choose routes that suit the conditions, and move hard interval sessions indoors when it is icy, foggy, very windy or dark. Never wear headphones that block traffic noise on the road.
Share your route or use live tracking for long or remote runs, carry ID, and take fluid and fuel on anything long. Keep a safe awareness of traffic and be visible in low light.
Adjust intensity in heat and humidity, hydrate before and during sessions, and stop if you feel nauseous, stop sweating, or get chills while hot — these are heat illness warning signs. In cold conditions layer appropriately and protect extremities. Move sessions indoors when air quality is poor.
Under-fuelling is the most common cause of poor adaptation, illness and injury in endurance athletes. Eat enough to support your training load. If you have concerns about eating, weight or your relationship with food, speak to a registered dietitian or your GP — coaching is not a substitute for clinical support.
Mental health matters as much as physical. If training is affecting your wellbeing, tell your coach. We would always rather adjust the plan than push through.
Keep your bike serviced and check tyres, brakes and quick releases before every ride. Replace worn running shoes. Make sure turbo trainers, treadmills and any indoor setup are stable and used with adequate ventilation.
Keep an emergency contact on file and on your person. At races, follow all event rules and the instructions of officials, marshals and medical staff without exception — their call overrides your plan.
You train and race at your own risk and make the final call on every session. If a session does not feel safe on the day — for any reason — do not do it. Skip it, adapt it, and tell your coach. See our Terms & Conditions for the full agreement.