The Story Behind Tri Balance
Have you ever wondered how Tri Balance got its name? A name carries meaning, purpose, and intention; Tri Balance is no exception. Our name represents a philosophy beyond fitness and movement—a way of life that fosters harmony in all aspects of our well-being.
The Power of Three
“Tri” comes from the Latin prefix meaning “three.” This number holds significance in many areas of life— swimming, cycling, and running; strength, endurance, and recovery; mind, body, and spirit; past, present, and future; work, life, and family. When I envisioned Tri Balance, I wanted a name that reflected a holistic approach to Triathlon training acknowledging the interconnectedness of these different aspects of our lives, enlightening us about the unity of our being.
Finding Balance
Balance is essential—not just in triathlon training but in life. Whether we’re training for a race, striving for work-life balance, or seeking mental and emotional well-being, finding in your sport is key to sustainable success. Balance is about knowing when to push forward, when to rest when to set goals, and when to just be.
A Philosophy in Motion
At Tri Balance, movement is what we coach. Training for a Triathlon -swim, bike, run, strength, rest – requires strategic planning, efficiency, and mindfulness—qualities that align perfectly with our philosophy. These philosophies are found in our Total Immersion swim sessions, Tri Balance Bike Clinics and our Chi Running clinics.
It’s all about the balance.
Balance in the Water
Balance during front crawl needs to be your first priority. Proper balance helps reduce drag, improve efficiency, and conserve energy. Begin your relationship with balance by thinking of these focus points:
- Posture – Keep your head neutral and your neck relaxed
- Core Engagement – Engaging your core helps stabilize your body to maintain proper side-to-side balance. Imagine a rotisserie through your spine to help stabilize.
- Relax – only engage the muscles you need to and relax the rest. All of your limbs will float better if they are relaxed.
Balance on the Bike
Proper balance while cycling promotes efficiency, safety, and endurance. Try these cycling focus points to feel how balance affects your ride:
- Core Engagement – Engaging your core helps keep your pedalling smooth and your legs lighter. Tighter core, lighter legs.
- Weight Distribution – Shifting your weight appropriately when climbing, descending, or cornering ensures better control and efficiency.
- Handling and Coordination – Staying centred on the bike allows for quick adjustments and safer riding in a group or windy conditions.
By incorporating balance into every aspect of cycling, triathletes can enhance their performance and minimize the risk of injury.
Balance on the Run
You’ve been able to run since you were a child, but as you age, you need to make running easier on your body. Find your window of balance by exploring these balance focus points.
- Postural Alignment – Keep your neck neutral, engage your core and fall forward using gravity.
- Relax – only engage the muscles you need to and relax the rest. Relax your neck, shoulders, pelvis, hands, and ankles.
- Cadence and Stride – A cadence between 170-180 strides per minute with a mid-foot strike reduces impact and enhances stability.
By maintaining balance throughout the run, triathletes can sustain their pace, prevent injuries, and finish strong.
The True Meaning of Tri Balance
So the next time you see Tri Balance, know it’s more than just a name—it’s a mindset and a way of life.
- Tri represents Triathlon—the combination of swimming, cycling, and running.
- Tri also stands for Trying it out—embracing challenges and pushing beyond limits.
- Balance is necessary to execute each sport efficiently.
- Balance is also about choosing how much time to spend on each discipline and managing training, recovery, and life responsibilities.
- And most importantly, balance is about fitting it all in—harmonizing athletic goals with everyday commitments.
What does balance mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
