The best triathlon training books you can rely on

Training for a triathlon and need a few recommendations on the best triathlon training books?

Here you’ll find the best triathlon training books to rely on to guide you through training.

In this list, you’ll find the best triathlon training books for beginners, intermediate to advanced triathletes, and Ironman training.

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THE BEST TRIATHLON TRAINING BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS

Triathlon for Beginners, Dan Golding

Don’t want to sift and piece through the mountains of information on the web? Then this book is your place to get started.

Triathlon for the Every Woman, Meredith Atwood

If you need a best friend to walk you through training for your first triathlon, then Meredith Atwood is it. She’s a busy mom and an accomplished triathlete. You’ll learn how you—like her—can become a triathlete. You’ll also learn about fueling your body, and how to balance training with family life.

Your First Triathlon, Joe Friel

From triathlon coach Joe Friel, this book guides you through every step of the training process, training plans included.

THE BEST TRIATHLON TRAINING BOOKS FOR INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED TRIATHLETES

Fast Track Triathlete, Matt Dixon

Want to improve your race times but yet don’t have time to train? The Fast Track Triathlete will help you get ready for your long-course triathlon in the time you do have.

80/20 Triathlon, Matt Fitzgerald

If you could train easy but race fast, would you do it? That is, 80 percent of the time is reserved for training at low intensities. And the other 20 percent is for medium to hard efforts. You’ll have a chance to see how it works if you use the included triathlon training plans.

The Triathlete’s Training Bible 4th Edition, Joe Friel

This is the best-selling, go-to resource for any triathlete. This latest edition has been completely revamped and packs a lot of advice into every part of the training process.

Your Best Triathlon, Joe Friel

Another triathlon training book by Joe Friel. And like The Triathlete’s Training Bible, this book contains practical training information for all triathlon distances in easy to read chunks.

Can’t decide between The Triathlete’s Training Bible and Your Best Triathlon?

Here’s the difference, from Joe Friel.

“The Triathlete’s Training Bible is for those who want to understand the how’s and why’s of training and also want to be their own coaches. It gets into the science of race preparation with a few examples of how some athletes train. But it leaves you to design your own training.

Your Best Triathlon is for those experienced athletes who want detailed guidance on how to train with a generic plan (based on your goal-race distance). It’s much as if I was coaching you. I offer comments and solutions for common issues triathletes I’ve coached have experienced at various times in their seasons.”

Essential Week-by-Week Training Guide, Matt Fitzgerald

Looking for a training plan to follow? You’ll find 40 plans in this book for your chosen distance: sprint, Olympic-distance, half-Ironman, and Ironman.

Triathlon 2.0, Jim Vance

If you enjoy diving into your data and using performance metrics to help you train efficiently, then this book’s for you. You’ll learn how to analyze your data, identify weaknesses, and use those numbers to steer your training.

The Power Meter Handbook, Joe Friel

If you use a power meter, then this guidebook will help you get the most from it, in an easy-to-understand way.

Fast After 50, Joe Friel

Wondering how to stay competitive as an age-grouper? Fast After 50 will show you how.

The Working Triathlete, Conrad Goeringer

Let’s face it, everyone’s pulled in a million directions. And if you add triathlon training on top of everything you need to do? It means you’ve got to train smart and this book is your roadmap to training efficiently.

THE BEST TRIATHLON TRAINING BOOKS FOR IRONMAN TRAINING

Going Long, Gordo Byrne and Joe Friel

Whether you’re new to the Ironman distance, or an experienced pro, Going Long will give you tips to help you train for this demanding race.

Be IronFit, Don Fink and Melanie Fink

If you need a resource to help you through Ironman training, then this book’s a great one. You may also like the training plans for the full Ironman distance. (Pair this book with Going Long and you’ll be more than race- ready.)