Aero Tech Designs offers high-quality Triathlon and Fitness gear ideal for any cardio or workout activity. Our Unpadded and Thin Pad options are great for reducing chafe and are quick drying. Compression Shirts and Shorts apply light pressure to muscles to reduce lactic acid build-up and get the most out of your workout. Our products are technically developed for durability and performance on and off the bike.
What is a Triathlon?
A triathlon is a sporting event started in France during the 1920s. Generally there are three different endurance stages and two transition stages. The endurance part of the Triathlon event starts off with a swimming portion, then bicycle racing, and finishing with a vigorous run. The transitions are where athletes go from swimming to cycling in T1 or cycling to running T2. All three stages of the triathlon and both of the transitions count towards the total time. The purpose of specific men's triathlon apparel is multi-part. Key among them is saving time in transitions so you don't have to change your clothes. The triathlon apparel is designed for swim-bike-run. this means it can get wet in the swim, dry instantly for the bike ride and then keep it's support and compression during the run. Keeping the same triathlon apparel on for the same event makes your transitions faster.
What does each part of the Triathlon race include?
Swimming
The swimming portion of a triathlon race can take place in open water such as a lake, river, or ocean; or it can be held in a more controlled and less turbulent swimming pool. Most athletes that are new at triathlons (and some that have been doing it for a long time) find the swimming portion to be the most difficult. During triathlon training, most athletes will train hard on the bike and run portions due to the larger amount of distance covered in those events. This leaves the swim in third place for preparation. Swimming requires a significant effort and repeated practice to become proficient. The men's triathlon apparel has light compression and thin saddle padding that dries instantly.
Cycling
The bicycling section of a triathlon is always the longest in distance and has a transition before the start and after the end. Cycling in a triathlon can present some difficulties for people who are not familiar with riding in an aerodynamic position or rapidly switching between two different forms of exercise. It is common to practice the transaction between cycling and running in a triathlon workout structure known as a brick (maybe named after how your legs feel at the end!). The men's triathlon apparel has a lightweight and thin chamois pad sewn into the shorts to prevent chafe on the bicycle saddle.
Running
The final section of a triathlon is the run, this is where many close races are won or lost. By this point many triathletes have exhausted their bodies and are starting to build significant lactic acids in the muscle. The push for the finish line is strong but be weary of over-exertion. The last thing you want in a triathlon is to start to lose your form and begin to run inefficiently. Keep your pace consistent with the triathlon training and move as efficiently as possible as you run with your head up and shoulders square. Men's triathlon apparel is made with spandex knitted into the yarns for light compression and support during the run. The light compression in this triathlon apparel provides muscle support and aids in the reduction of lactic acid buildup.
Common Distances for Triathlons
Sprint: 0.5 mile swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run (500 to 750 m, 20 km, 5 km)
Olympic: 0.93 mile swim 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run (1.5 km, 40 km, 10 km)
Half-Ironman: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (1.9 km, 90 km, 21.1 km)
Ironman: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run (3.9 km, 181 km, 42.2 km)
The Triathlon Training Checklist
Training for a triathlon can be an exciting challenge. If you're a cyclist, triathlon training provides a little break from the bike allowing you to learn new skills. Participating in a race can also be a motivating factor for getting in shape and sticking to a training plan. But, no matter the motivation, before signing up for a race it's important to know what to expect.
Selecting a race
Have you seen the Ironman World Championship Triathlon races on television? Maybe you've heard horror stories of day long training session from your triathlete friends. Now you're thinking "there's no way I could do that." and "Heck, I don't even want to."
Truth is, you can do it and triathlon can be a fun fitness activity.
Even though you've only heard about the triathlons that are extreme tests of endurance, races vary with respect to distance and difficulty. You see, there's a race out there for every individual and ability level.
Registration
The race you select will depend on your fitness level and the amount of time you have to train. If you're new to the sport, start with a sprint distance race. Sometimes you can even find a race that starts off by swimming in a pool, instead of open water. A lot of people tend to struggle with the swim, and the ideas swimming in a lake or ocean. The pool swim is a great way to adjust.
Gearing up
When you're first getting started you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on top of the line equipment. If you're vying for a place on the podium, by all means, go with top shelf gear. But, if this is your first race, all you'll need is a few essential items.
Apparel: tri-suit (for cold temps use a wetsuit) or swimsuit, swim cap, goggles, triathlon shorts, cycling jerseys, socks, sunglasses
Bike: Your bike, helmet, bike shoes, bike computer, watch/heart rate monitor, water bottle(s), you can quickly put your pre-loaded jersey over the triathlon suit.
Run: Running shoes, hat/visor, race number and/or hydration belt. the tri-suit and/or tri-shorts are the basic garment for all events.
Additional: Athletic, medial tape, towel, transition mat, and in-race snacks, sunscreen
Triathlon Training
Like the race that you choose, your training plan will depend on your current fitness level. Then, after you've selected a race distance, you'll know what type of training plan you'll need to undertake. You might not need specific triathlon apparel for training, but rather sport specific gear.
For instance, training for a spring triathlon might only take three or four days each week. On the other hand, training to take on 144 miles of an Iron-man will require upwards of 20 hours of training each week. Therefore, it's important to be realistic about your abilities and schedule so that you do risk injury or disappoint by taking on too much, too soon.
What to expect on race day
On the evening prior to, or the morning of the triathlon race, participants will receive their race number, timing chip and colored swim cap that designates the heat or category of the racer. Participants will also be given access to the transition area where their bike will be racked and race gear organized.
Competing in the professional/elite or amateur/age group category, racers will be briefed on the triathlon race rules and course information. Depending on the event, organizers, and number of participants, the race start will take place either as a mass start or waves/heats.
Aero Tech Designs Triathlon Apparel
Triathlon Jerseys
Men's Competition Tanks gives racers the edge with features that help you compete longer and feel stronger while doing it. You can create a two piece racing suit with these jerseys and a pair of shorts and use the kit in all of your Triathlons. These Triathlon Jerseys are made from a soft and stretchy spandex which offers compression to your upper body and help prevent sore muscles. Our triathlon tanks feature back zippered pockets to carry essentials that you might need throughout your race. Reflective piping on the seams of the triathlon jersey let you be visible at night and feel safe. The seams of these jerseys are all flat locked and are soft and smooth against the skin to prevent any irritation from happening especially when you will be wet and dry throughout the race.
Tri Shorts
Men's tri shorts are a comfortable and lightweight. We offer a couple different styles that you can wear while training or on race day. Both shorts are aerodynamically designed so you can perform at your best. tri shorts are definitely a must whenever you have a race. Tri shorts are a necessity in any swim, bike, and run event. The pad that is in the shorts is just thick enough that it will keep you comfortable on the bike but will dry very quickly after the swim. This is where bike shorts and tri shorts differ. Bicycle short fabric usually isn't designed to stand up to chlorine. A cycling short pad is also thicker which will not dry as quickly as our Triathlon short pads. A main part of the triathlon where racers want to save some time is during the transitions between the swim, bike, run. Since these shorts offer support on the bike, comfort while running, and ready to swim in, you will not have to worry about wasting time changing.
Tri-suits
Men's tri-suits are apparel items for racing. It is a stretchy one piece swim bike run triathlon racing suits. Instead of wearing a two piece racing suit and having to worry about fitment of your triathlon top and bottom, our one piece suit is made to fit, feel, and perform through your whole race. These suits have a zipper in the back with a long pull string attached for ease. They are also equipped with a thin fleece chamois pad that will dry quickly so you don't have to worry about racing in a wet suit. The fabric is chlorine resistant so you can wear it while training in the pool as well as during your race. The nylon Lycra fabric is durable and stretchy but still offers compression to keep your muscles feeling great. The flat lock stitching is smooth against your skin which will prevent you from feeling uncomfortable. The leg openings have silicone grippers that will keep your tri-suit in place during your race so you can stay focused on winning!
