Working Out in Hong Kong

It’s the start of another year, and everyone’s out on a resolution-fueled high, joining gyms and yoga studios as they vow to make this year their fittest yet. Ho-hum, we say. That’s all well and good, but it can be exceedingly hard to motivate yourself without a goal to work towards. Why not set a super-sized target this year—and do a triathlon? Read on to find out everything you need to know about tri-training. And if you’re setting your sights a little lower this year, well, we’ve got some advice for you, too. Triathlons come in all shapes and sizes. They range from a sprint, where you swim 750 meters, bike 20 kilometers and run five kilometers, to an Ironman, which is made up of a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180-kilometer bike ride and a full marathon tacked onto the end. Let’s break it down:

Swim

For many people this is the most daunting bit, since most triathlons are held in open water where visibility is often poor, there are no black lines along the bottom and swimming at close quarters can be terrifying.

Bike

Most people survive—even enjoy—their first triathlon riding a garden-variety mountain bike that gets you from A to B. But if you get bitten by the bug, you’ll need to upgrade, and swapping that comfort for the speed and lightweight features of road racing tires has its cost: a literal pain in the butt.

Run

That most natural form of human motion, running, turns into a real challenge in the triathlon. Why? Because even the best runners never forget that awful, trussed-up-like-a-turkey feeling in their quads when they finally get to dismount the bike and begin running. As you take your first steps, your legs feel like jelly encased in steel and you wonder how you are ever going to go the distance. But you will.

Related Article: Workout Tips From Local Experts

Stellar Sporty Spots

Where to swim, bike and run your way to a fitter you.

Swimming

Kowloon Park
With three outdoor leisure pools, an indoor training pool, a diving pool and a children’s pool, this facility is all about diversity. Outdoor pools are open from April to November, from 6:30am-noon, 1-5pm and 6-10pm; the indoor pool is open all year round.
22 Austin Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724-3577.

Morrison Hill
Head down to Morrison Hill, which has three indoor pools—an 18-meter teaching pool, a 25-meter training pool and an eight-lane, 50-meter main pool—as well as an outdoor main pool, teaching pool and a toddler pool. The two larger indoor pools have diving boards. Open from April until October, from 6:30am-noon, 1-5pm and 6-10pm; the indoor pools are also open from July until April, from 7am-4pm.
7 Oi Kwan Rd., Wan Chai, 2575-3028.

Sha Tin Jockey Club
This popular swimming complex has seven pools and attracts professionals and families alike. It also hosts open competitions. Open from April until October, from 6.30am-noon, 1-6:30pm and 7:30-10pm; closed on Friday from 10am-7:30pm.
10 Yuen Wo Rd., Sha Tin, 2693-6613.

Biking

Chi Ma Wan
This is a medium-to-difficult trail on Lantau that offers a wide variety of scenery from jungle trails to traditional villages. Cycle the coastal trail from Mui Wo to Chi Ma Wan and its extension trail, then return the same way, or ride the coastal trail and the full Chi Ma Wan Trail (ignoring the extension), before returning.
The trail starts at Mui Wo, Lantau Island.

Plover Cove Reservoir
Plover Cove Reservoir is the most popular leisure biking trail in Hong Kong. It starts off adjacent to the main road in the busy center of Sha Tin, continuing on to the outskirts of the district and into Tai Po. At Tai Mei Tuk, the trail runs along the reservoir wall, which is particularly spectacular at sunset.
The trail starts at the intersection of Mei Tin and Kong Miu roads in Tai Wai and extends to Tai Mei Tuk.