Are Wearables Worth It? What Triathletes Should Know About WHOOP and Oura

If you're a triathlete, you're probably obsessed with data. Pace, watts, heart rate, sleep score, HRV, TSB... the list goes on. You’ve either already got a WHOOP or Oura — or you’re tossing up whether one is worth the investment. But here’s the thing: more data doesn’t automatically mean better performance.

In this blog, we break down what the research really says about wearables like WHOOP and Oura, how reliable the data is and the smartest way to use it to train harder, recover faster and perform at your best.

Meet the Expert: Prof Shona Halson

Professor Shona Halson is arguably Australia’s leading expert in sleep, recovery and performance. With 25 years of experience working with elite athletes, including at multiple Olympic Games, Shona has conducted numerous validation studies on wearable tech. In a recent chat on the Triathlon Nutrition Academy podcast, she shared the evidence-based truth about wearable...

Training like a machine but still falling short on race day? You’re not alone.

Triathletes are some of the most dedicated athletes on the planet. You follow your training plan religiously, tick every swim, bike and run session off the calendar, and yet come race day, something's still not clicking.

Sound familiar?

In this post, we unpack the real-life story of Brent Saltmarsh – a determined age-group triathlete with a military background – who learnt the hard way that training hard just isn't enough. With PBs finally falling and cramping issues a thing of the past, Brent's journey through the Triathlon Nutrition Academy (TNA) is packed with lessons that could change your race results too.

Cramping, Bonking and Gut Bombs: When Training Alone Fails

Brent came into triathlon from a 30-year career in the army. No stranger to hard work, he brought that same "grit it out" mentality to his endurance training. But what he didn’t realise was that his nutrition strategy – or lack of it – wa...

Are you chasing speed but still underperforming?

If you're a triathlete who's invested heavily in the latest gear but still struggling with cramps, bonking or gut issues on race day, this is for you.

There’s no shortage of shiny new toys promising better performance. But the truth? Most of them are a distraction from what really makes a difference.

In this post, we’re unpacking five of the biggest obsessions age-group triathletes pour time and money into, and revealing what will actually improve your race results.

1. Fancy Carbon Shoes Won’t Save a Bonk

There’s no denying that carbon-plated race shoes feel fast. But if you're walking the last 5km because you’ve hit the wall, even $400 super shoes won’t help.

• The carbon plate wears out after 160km, which is just a few races

• Most triathletes don't run with the technique needed to get the benefit

• If your race nutrition is poor, you're still going to suffer

What moves the needle: A well-tested fuelling plan. One th...

If you're an age-group triathlete chasing better performance, you're probably already training hard. But what if the missing link to your next PB isn't in the pool, on the bike or pounding the pavement? At this year's Sunny Coast 70.3, we proved that dialling in your nutrition could be the game-changer you've been searching for.

In this blog, I'm breaking down the three race-day fuel hacks that helped two Triathlon Nutrition Academy (TNA) athletes, Kelly and Kathleen, not only smash their goals, but do it overseas, under pressure, and with absolute confidence.

Here's what we cover:

• The real secret behind next-level performance (hint: it's not just training harder)

• How to fuel confidently, even when racing overseas

• Why recovery nutrition isn't optional if you want consistent gains

Let’s dive in.

1. Carbohydrate Availability: Your Hidden Superpower

Both Kelly and Kathleen transformed their racing by learning how to nail their carbohydrate availability – a fancy wa...

Triathletes, are you being duped by dodgy nutrition advice?
If you're training hard and trying to optimise performance, the last thing you need is gimmicky products or outdated strategies steering you off course. But with the rise of social media "experts" and slick marketing, bad nutrition advice is everywhere — and it’s costing athletes real results.

This month, I’ve seen some absolute shockers. So let’s break them down, explain why they’re wrong, and most importantly, what you should be doing instead.

1. Transdermal Electrolyte Patches — Stickers That Don’t Stick

You slap it on your skin and voilà — hydration solved, right? Wrong.

These so-called electrolyte patches claim to help maintain hydration and performance. But here’s the truth:

• Your skin is designed to be a barrier, not a sponge

• Electrolyte absorption through the skin only occurs in very specific conditions like broken skin, electrical stimulation or prolonged soaking

• Even then, absorption is local, not s...

Are Creatine Gummies Just Expensive Lollies? What Every Triathlete Needs to Know

If you’re a triathlete trying to stay ahead of the pack, chances are you’ve heard about creatine gummies. They look like the perfect solution: convenient, tasty and easy to throw in your gym bag. But are they actually helping your training, or are you just chewing on overpriced sugar bombs?

In this blog, we break down:

• Why creatine is having a moment

• What the latest independent lab testing shows

• Which brands completely failed

• How to tell if your gummies are legit

• Whether gummies are worth it or not for triathletes

Why Creatine is Trending Hard

Creatine is no longer just for bodybuilders. From weekend warriors to busy mums, the supplement is being promoted as a must-have. Even the ABC recently reported on its rising popularity.

But here’s the kicker: while creatine monohydrate powder has decades of solid evidence behind it, the newer gummy versions? Not so much.

A Quick Cr...

Creatine has been making headlines lately, and for good reason. It’s one of the most researched supplements out there, yet athletes are still bombarded with confusing claims and gimmicky products.

That’s why I was thrilled to be featured as an expert source in an ABC News article by journalist Paige Cockburn, cutting through the hype to explain what actually works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to creatine.

A few key points: 

• Creatine can support strength and performance when used correctly.
• Not all forms are created equal. Gummies in particular often underdose the amount needed (if they contain any creatine at all!).
• Marketing can be misleading, so athletes need to know what actually works.

You can read the full article here.

My Perspective as a Sports Dietitian

As an Advanced Sports Dietitian and triathlete myself, I see athletes wasting money on products that don’t deliver results. Creatine has potential benefits, but it’s not a magic bullet. It’s about knowing if it’...

Nailing Your First Ironman Starts with Nutrition

If you're a triathlete staring down the barrel of your first Ironman, chances are you're already deep into the training grind. Long sessions, early mornings, constant hunger and wondering if you're actually going to survive race day. Sound familiar?

While you’ve likely locked in your coach, structured your sessions and planned the logistics, there’s one area that often gets left to chance: your nutrition.

And here's the truth bomb, you can’t wing an Ironman and expect to enjoy it.

In this blog, we unpack the real-life journey of TNA athlete Steve Duquette, who just completed his first Ironman at Ironman Canada. He felt strong all day, avoided the dreaded GI blow-up and didn’t cramp once. Let’s break down what worked and what you can apply to your own race prep.

The Missing Link: Why Nutrition Gave Steve the Confidence to Step Up

When Steve first started triathlon, the thought of tackling a full Ironman felt ridiculous.

"Three ye...

I’m thrilled to share some big news with you – Dietitian Approved has officially partnered with AusTriathlon as their trusted nutrition education partner.

This means triathletes across Australia will now have access to evidence-based, practical nutrition strategies designed to help them train harder, recover faster and perform at their best.

Why This Partnership Matters

Triathlon is a sport I love and live. Since lining up for my first race in 2009, I’ve been immersed in the community as an athlete, as Sports Dietitian for Triathlon Australia for six years, and now through the work we do every day at Dietitian Approved.

Over the years, I've seen many athletes train hard but leave their nutrition to chance. And that’s where the biggest performance gains are often hiding.

By teaming up with AusTriathlon, I can help more athletes stop winging it with their fuelling and start seeing the real benefits of a personalised, evidence-based approach to nutrition.

What Athletes Can Expect

T...

If you’re training hard but still feel flat, sluggish or constantly run down, it might not be your nutrition or training load that’s holding you back. It could be your sleep. And no, it’s not just about clocking more hours in bed.

In this blog, we unpack why sleep is the most powerful (and underrated) recovery tool for triathletes. With expert insights from Dr Michael Grandner, a leading sleep scientist and Director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, we’ll cover:

• What sleep actually does for recovery
  
• How much sleep triathletes really need
  
• What to do if you’re not getting enough
  
• Why sleep trackers aren’t always telling you the truth
  
• Simple strategies to get better quality sleep starting tonight
  

Why Sleep Matters More Than You Think

We’re used to thinking about recovery in terms of protein shakes, foam rolling and rest days. But Dr Grandner says:

"Training without recovery is just injuring yourself on purpose."

Sleep is when the real gain...