such as PowerBreathe: blowing into the adjustable inflation valve gives your lungs a real workout.Contact: www.gorebikewear.comOrca Women's Lite Vest, £45.99Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing option, this gilet has reflective piping running throughout its

Novice triathletes soon realise that the best way to save time in transition is to limit kit changes. You need kit you can wear under your wetsuit for the swim, that offers protection and support for the bike leg and doesn’t encumber you on the run

Novice triathletes soon realise that the best way to save time in transition is to limit kit changes.You need kit you can wear under your wetsuit for the swim, that offers protection and support for the bike leg and doesn't encumber you on the run

the most expensive piece of kit you’ll need. However you can also hire them. Ensure you pick a wetsuit that fits correctly and has good flexibility. Why: Unless you're planning pool-only triathlons, or planning to move to the tropics, a wetsuit is crucial

You swim, you run, you cycle and you workout at the gym: rather than packing multiple bags, why not just pack one? That’s the idea behind Ogio’s all in one range, ideal for triathletes.Originally a producer of high quality and innovative golfing

. That said, you still require the right gear to ensure you train and race effectively, safely and within the rules of the sport.But what exactly is the right kit? The answer depends, in part, on experience and aspiration. A first-timer aiming to complete a

an ice pack that will conform to any body part, mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a ziplock bag; store the bag in the freezer. It will become very cold but remain squishy." Lee Dixon"Be-prepared-for-anything ride-kit contents: ibuprofen, a £10

as they start to run, their heart rate is up to 80 per cent of their maximum. It's useful to learn how to calculate heart-rate zones and react to the data. However, no one should rely too heavily on one piece of kit. It's worth falling back on rate of perceived

and tighten.ChainCHECK: The cassette teeth should be even but, as time goes on, they will wear on one side, becoming hooked and pointy. This means the chain won't run smoothly over the teeth and you may find that you start jumping sprockets. To check your

.thelondontriathlon.co.uk) costs £73 for the individual sprint or £78 for the Olympic distance, but the Leicester Flashman Triathlon cost just £21 to enter (sprint distance) in 2008. (See www.leicestertriathlonclub.co.uk for details.) Discover the joys of secondhand tri gear. I