Unterschleißheim/Fürth. World-class triathlete Anja Ippach prepares for her competitions around the globe on Life Fitness equipment. And it pays off: This year, the 34-year-old from Fürth has made it into the top ten in all competitions. In this interview, she looks back on 2019. She also talks about motivation, training workload and the criteria for the best equipment.
How did you get into sport and triathlon?
As a child through my father, who was an amateur triathlete. I was really captivated when I saw the IRONMAN Europe - today's Challenge Roth - live for the first time and was able to follow it from the side of the course. At the time, I was fascinated and inspired by the incredibly long course and the professional athletes. I really wanted to experience that too.
What does sport mean to you?
Sport is a big part of my life. I can even say that it gives my life meaning. It is my passion, my hobby and my profession. I enjoy working towards a big sporting goal. I also particularly enjoy motivating other people to believe in themselves and constantly work towards achieving their goals and dreams.
You are extremely successful and have won many titles. With all the successes you've had, is there one moment in particular that sticks in your mind?
The best moment in triathlon is the red carpet just before the finish line. I particularly remember this moment during my greatest success, fourth place at the World Championships in Hawaii: the feeling of happiness in those seconds is unique, fulfilling and relieving. I still get goosebumps today when I think about it.
Every amateur athlete knows how challenging regular training and constant motivation are. What is your secret and recipe for success?
My sporting goals motivate me to give my best every day. What's more, with triathlon as a sport, I have also found a lifestyle that I really enjoy. It is a great privilege for me to be able to turn my passion into my profession. My hard work in training is the reward for this.
What kind of training do you do in preparation for competitions, what does a training day look like as an example?
I train 30 hours a week. My day has two to three training sessions, which last four to seven hours depending on the intensity and goal. In a week, I manage around 20 km of swimming, 300 to 400 km of cycling and 70 to 100 km of running. A training day looks like this, for example: A 30 to 40-minute fast run in the morning, then breakfast and a short break, three to five hours of bike training, followed immediately by a 30 to 60-minute short run. An hour's swim in the evening. I have a rest or relief day each week, on which I usually go for a relaxed swim or do yoga.
Do you have any tips for amateur athletes in terms of training motivation and goal setting?
The most important thing is that I set myself a personal and, above all, specific goal. This goal should be a challenge without overwhelming me. It must motivate and inspire me. Above all, however, it must be clear: I am walking the path to this goal for myself. Once the goal is clear, the steps to get there and the training to achieve it must be defined. This is not possible without a plan. Regular performance reviews help you to keep an overview and control and to see your progress. This provides additional motivation.
What does training at home or in the gym look like for you? What do you train with at home?
At home, I train on the IC6 indoor bike, on my bike on a roller and on the Platinum Club Series treadmill. I mainly train indoors or at home in winter, in bad weather or for particularly intensive sessions. I often use the treadmill, for example, if I want to do a quick dead sprint after a demanding cycling session. This allows me to reach the desired speed straight away. This makes it easier for me to do interval training - especially if I'm already physically tired from a previous session.
What type of cardio machine would you recommend for home use for exercisers? What should you look out for?
An indoor bike is definitely a great piece of equipment for home use. It allows beginners to increase their sporting activity step by step and in a way that is easy on the joints, as well as advanced and professional users to complete their targeted training. In addition, basic endurance can be improved easily and efficiently with an indoor bike. This is also a good and important basis for other endurance sports. The equipment should meet the requirements of the person training. A beginner does not necessarily need watt-controlled training, whereas this is essential for a professional.
How did you find out about Life Fitness?
I was familiar with Life Fitness equipment from my gym. I got to know the Indoor Cycling Group (ICG) , which is based in my home town, through local events. I was able to test the latest generation of indoor bikes at triathlon trade fairs.
What do the Life Fitness machines mean to you?
The indoor bikes and treadmills from Life Fitness enable very targeted training. I can control the training load to the exact watt and work with precise distances and speeds. This allows me to train very effectively and at the same time measure and monitor my performance development. The Life Fitness equipment is state-of-the-art and meets the highest quality standards. And with the wide range of entertainment functions, even longer endurance sessions are entertaining and enjoyable.
Exercising on the treadmill can also be monotonous, what motivates you when running on your treadmill?
When I run on the treadmill, I usually do an interval program. This has the advantage that I can achieve the specified running speed and training goal 100 percent without constantly looking at my watch and worrying about whether the pace is right. On the treadmill, I also like to run at so-called over-speed. This means I can run at a pace that I would never be able to achieve outside. Above all, this trains my coordination skills and I can set a particularly effective training stimulus.
What do you need in an indoor bike to be able to train effectively?
Ergonomics are very important. I have to feel comfortable on the bike, have an authentic riding experience and be able to adjust the device so that I have an optimal sitting position and avoid incorrect strain or even injury. In addition, watt-controlled training is essential. Because I control my bike training not only via my pulse, but mainly via power, I need a stable and precise watt measurement system.
How did 2019 go for you in terms of sport?
I took part in four competitions and finished in the top ten in all of them: Fifth place at the IRONMAN South Africa, fourth place at the Challenge Championship in Samorin, Slovakia, eighth place at Challenge Roth and I came fourth at the IRONMAN 70.3 in Barcelona. Overall, I can start the new year satisfied with this result.
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Source: Life Fitness
Image credit: Life Fitness
Published on: 12 December 2019