As winter lingers and the race season looms, triathletes everywhere face the challenge of staying motivated and maintaining fitness through the colder months. One of the best ways to shake off the winter blues, build early-season form, and enjoy some serious training is by heading to a warm weather training camp.
Destinations like Lanzarote, Mallorca, and Denia in Spain have long been favourites among triathletes, offering stunning scenery, smooth roads, and ideal conditions for swim, bike, and run sessions. Whether you’re training for your first Ironman or fine-tuning for your next race, here’s why you should pack your bags (and your bike!) and head south for some sunshine.
1. Better Cycling Conditions
One of the biggest benefits of a warm weather camp is uninterrupted, quality cycling. The smooth, well-maintained roads of Mallorca and Lanzarote, combined with minimal traffic and stunning coastal or mountain views, create the perfect training environment.
- Build endurance: Long rides in the sun allow you to clock up mileage without battling the wind, rain, and freezing temperatures.
- Improve climbing ability: Both Mallorca’s Sa Calobra and Lanzarote’s Tabayesco climb offer great opportunities to strengthen your legs on longer ascents.
- Develop bike handling skills: Winding descents and technical roads help improve confidence and technique.
Taking your own bike on the plane is a great idea to ensure comfort and familiarity. With most airlines offering bike transport, packing your bike in a proper bike box makes it easy to bring your best gear without relying on rentals.
2. Open Water Swimming in Ideal Conditions
If you’ve been stuck doing laps in an indoor pool all winter, a warm weather camp is the perfect way to transition back to open water swimming.
- In Lanzarote, the clear, warm waters of Playa Blanca or the famous Ironman swim course in Puerto del Carmen make for an ideal training ground.
- Mallorca offers protected coves where you can work on sighting, pacing, and getting comfortable in choppy water.
- Denia has calm, clear waters that make for enjoyable longer swims without the icy temperatures of home.
Practicing open water skills early in the season will give you an edge over competitors who only start adjusting closer to race day.
3. Running Without the Layers
Nothing beats shedding winter layers and hitting dry, warm roads for a good-quality run session. Warm weather training allows you to:
- Run consistently without worrying about ice, snow, or heavy rain.
- Get in more mileage without being restricted to short treadmill sessions.
- Train on challenging terrain, whether it’s hilly trails or long coastal paths.
Mallorca’s rolling roads and Lanzarote’s volcanic trails make for incredible run sessions, while Denia’s beautiful coastal promenade offers a flat, fast option for interval work.
4. Dialling in Nutrition & Recovery
Training in the heat isn’t just about fitness—it’s a great time to fine-tune your race nutrition. With longer sessions and warmer conditions, a training camp allows you to:
- Test hydration strategies for race day.
- Experiment with gels, electrolytes, and solid foods while on long rides and runs.
- Practise recovery meals that help fuel the next big session.
You’ll also have more time to rest, with afternoon naps and relaxed evenings helping to maximise adaptation from all your hard work.
5. The Enjoyment Factor: Sun, Friends & Pushing Yourself
Aside from the performance benefits, a warm weather training camp is fun. Training with friends, exploring new locations, and experiencing the joy of early-season fitness gains in the sun is an unbeatable combination.
A structured camp allows you to push beyond your normal limits, with the chance to:
- Complete back-to-back big days without the usual distractions of work and daily life.
- Train with like-minded athletes, motivating each other to keep going.
- Enjoy post-training café stops with fresh coffee and pastries—a staple of any good cycling trip!
Final Thoughts: Should You Book That Trip?
If you want to start your season strong, a warm weather training camp is one of the best investments you can make in your triathlon journey. With sunshine, smooth roads, open water, and a focused training environment, you’ll return home fitter, stronger, and ready to take on the race season ahead.
So, grab your bike, book your flights, and get ready to train like a pro in paradise!