The Forgotten Joint: Why Triathletes Can’t Afford Weak Ankles

In triathlon, everyone obsesses over heart rate zones, FTP, and recovery protocols. But few talk about the joint that literally touches the ground first, the ankle.

Every stride, pedal, and push-off starts there. The ankle determines how much force gets absorbed, how much transfers upstream, and ultimately, how much power you can produce without breaking down. Neglect it, and you’re leaking performance at the very base of your kinetic chain.

Every athlete I coach, whether they’re chasing a podium or just building durability, does ankle work. Isometrics, eccentric control, stiffness training, proprioception, all of it. Because once the ankle collapses or wobbles, everything above it starts compensating. Knees, hips, lower back, they all pay the price.

It’s not glamorous, but neither is injury rehab.

Strong ankles mean better propulsion, cleaner mechanics, and fewer setbacks.

If you’re serious about longevity in the sport, start from the ground up.

Written by Abraham Spring