Tri club or not to tri club?

I will be joining one in my area for next year...I don't see how training w/ people who have the same goal as you, and getting coaching, not to mention other stuff, is any way a negative

I decided not to join last year and wanted to see what I can do on my own.  However, this year, I do plan on joining a tri club.

For me, it is the ability to learn more about technique in the pool and to force myself to train harder on the bike and run.  I believe that one way to get better is to train with people faster than yourself.  So that is my plan this year...train harder 

I'm a phantom member of one. Never been to a meeting but get emails. Lots of the meetings/training take place in another town not far but the times usually don't work for me. Also, frankly, I'm intimidated by some of their training sessions because I know I'd never keep up.  I can't run 7 miles, swim 3000 meters, or bike 70 miles at their speeds.

If there were a slow buggers tri group in my area - I'd love it!

As the President of the North Atlanta Multisport Club I will give you the pro's of our club (your's may vary).

• Low Dues ($35 /year)
• Social Interaction (we like to get together and socialize)
• Peer support at races (its great to go to a race and have a big group of people cheering for one another)
• Group workouts (ours are more of a "team building" and not super high intensity workouts)
• Coaching (inculding myself we have 4 USAT certified coaches in our club)
• Guest Speakers (last year we had Jeff Galloway, Patrick Dowd (owner of All3sports), this year we are trying to get the guys from Blue Bicycles to come in addition to some other guests)
• Nifty Uniforms
• Discounts from all of our sponsers that practically give you your dues back.
• Volunteer opportunities to give back to the sport.

We aren't the biggest club, or the fastest, but we have a great group of people that love the sport and enjoy training and hanging out together.

I never thought I'd join one, but just recently did.  I am SO glad I did, so many people focused on a common interest, social gatherings with people who you can talk to about  things like T1 and they know what you are talking about.  Group training runs, rides, swims...clinics...

Yup, so glad I joined

Triathlon clubs offer many benefits, and comraderie is probably chief among them.   Most clubs have a variety of skill/speed/experience levels among their members, not to mention age groups!  Though we have few/no youth in our Boston-area club, we have a good number of 40+, 50+ and 60+ age groupers.  They are the best people to workout with and are really great about sharing their experience in the sport (often 10+ years worth of it) with the younger club members.  They are also true role-models for the longevity that the sport attracts and sustains.  I'd have never met them if I weren't an active member in my triathlon club. 

Yes, I had to make an effort.  Yes, I question the need for dues when most everything seems free.  But in exachnage for those dues/fees we do get great racing uniforms, club-wholesale deals with many tri vendors, discounted coaching, and the sense of community that only a tri club can provide.  As a club we've also helped numerous local charities with fundraising and it always feels nice to give something back!  Who knew that triathletes were so generous and kind?  I certainly didn't until I joined a club and got involved.

I get sad when I read about people getting dropped, feeling left out or like they're too slow.   So when I coordinate or lead training sessions myself, I don't let it happen.  I drop back myself or use the buddy system to make sure no one rides or runs alone.   It's not that big a deal to have a few slower training days, and it means a lot to the slower folks, who likely will return and find other slower folks to train with sooner or later from within our club. 

All in all, group training works well to motivate, inspire, and challenge me to be a better athlete.  That's the top reason I like being in my triathlon club.