When to Ditch the Watch: Training Without Technology
Mar 10, 2025
auto_awesome
Will Usher, head coach of Precision Coaching, and Ryan Tibball, a certified coach and respiratory therapist, discuss the freedom of training without tech. They share insights on the value of listening to your body, salvaging workouts when devices fail, and the importance of mastering triathlon skills. The duo emphasizes the balance between data reliance and intuition, encouraging athletes to embrace mindfulness and experience the joy of disconnecting from technology. With personal stories and practical tips, they inspire a more natural engagement with training.
Training without technology enhances mindfulness, allowing athletes to better connect with their body's responses during workouts.
The evolution of fitness trackers has made data collection more accessible, revolutionizing personal training and performance analysis.
Specific scenarios, like easy runs and recovery sessions, can benefit from disconnecting from devices to focus on technique and enjoyment.
Deep dives
The Value of Training Without Technology
Training without data-collecting devices can offer significant benefits to athletes. It allows for a focus on internal cues, helping athletes better understand their body's responses during workouts. By disconnecting from technology, athletes can enhance their mindfulness, making connections with their training environment and relying more on their perceived exertion levels. This can be particularly valuable during lower-intensity sessions, where the emphasis should be on feel rather than metrics.
Historical Perspective on Fitness Trackers
The evolution of fitness trackers has transformed the way athletes train and monitor their performance. In the past, devices like the Timex Ironman watch or early Garmin models were limited in functionality, often requiring manual calculations and subjective measures. As technology advanced, the introduction of GPS and Bluetooth capabilities made data collection more accessible, revolutionizing personal training. Today's athletes benefit from a wealth of accurate data, allowing for objective analysis of performance and training loads.
The Importance of Data in Training Plans
Collecting data during workouts provides critical insights into an athlete's training and recovery. Through systems like TriDot, data is utilized to optimize personalized training plans by quantifying workout stresses based on real-time performance metrics. This ensures that athletes train at the appropriate intensity and volume, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing performance. The use of data fosters a greater understanding of personal fitness levels and helps guide future training adjustments.
Appropriate Times to Go Tech-Free
There are specific scenarios where training without technology can be particularly beneficial for athletes. Easy runs or recovery rides offer excellent opportunities to disconnect, as these sessions focus more on maintaining a comfortable pace rather than striving for specific metrics. Additionally, swimming drills often suffer from the inaccuracies of wearable tech, making it advantageous to forego devices in favor of technique-focused training. Finally, post-race or during recovery phases, athletes can benefit mentally from enjoying their sport without the pressure of data collection.
Balancing Data Use in Competitive Environments
While having access to tracking devices is essential in many training contexts, there are instances in competitive scenarios where going without tech can be a tactical choice. In sprint triathlons, for example, athletes may find that the rapid pace and intensity of the race can make reliance on data disruptive and counterproductive. Therefore, they might opt to race based on feel, which allows for a more instinctive approach to pacing and effort management. The key takeaway is that while data is invaluable, understanding when to set it aside—especially in high-pressure situations—can be equally important for an athlete's success.
Have you ever left for your run and your watch battery was dead? Or gone for a group ride to notice your bike computer is still at home? Did it ruin your workout? If so, have no fear - Coaches Ryan Tibball and Will Usher join the podcast to break down training without technology. We have become so connected to our training gadgets that something will inevitably go wrong, and we need to know how to proceed. From intentionally training without your watch to tips for salvaging your workout when things malfunction, and even understanding the importance of listening to your body and how to execute RPE, Ryan and Will share all their tips! So the next time you find yourself with out your trusted technology, you'll be prepared to keep moving forward!
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
