Boulder, Colorado has long been known as a mecca for endurance sport. But few figures in that community have had as profound an influence on triathlon as Erin Carson.
A Canadian-born strength coach and one of the most trusted voices in the field, Carson has spent her career helping both elite and age-group athletes unlock more power, resilience, and longevity in the sport. Now, she’s teaming up with Triathlon Magazine to bring monthly strength insights directly to you.
A Quiet Yet Undeniable Passion
When you first meet Erin Carson, passion radiates from her – and not because she tells you about it, but because she shows you. She asks how you are, how she can help, and listens with a level of attentiveness and positivity that makes it immediately clear: you’re in the presence of someone who genuinely cares.
It took me several conversations with Erin to understand what makes her feel so different. She never talks about how dedicated she is, but it’s obvious in the little things…like the way she stays up all night to watch her athletes race, not for credit or recognition, but because she’s emotionally invested in their journey.
“I was up watching Taylor race the London T100…I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen,” she shared. “And of course I stayed up all night to watch Nice…we love this stuff!” she added, referring to herself and the close-knit team she collaborates with to prepare athletes for their respective start lines.
That kind of commitment – quiet, unassuming, but relentless – underpins Erin’s entire approach. Her athlete roster, past and present, reads like a roll call of endurance greatness: Taylor Knibb, Mirinda Carfrae, Tim O’Donnell, Paula Findlay, Rudy von Berg, Sara Svensk, and more. But she’s not just watching her own athletes. She’s studying the competition. Watching the races. Looking for gaps and opportunities – and thinking about how smart, targeted strength work can help her athletes.
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“Great strength training is like a spice for the meal,” she says. “I work with triathletes. Their podium is built on swim, bike, and run. My job is the small details that help make those disciplines more efficient, and keep the body resilient enough to handle the load without breaking down.”
What sets Erin apart is the way she cares more than she has to, and the way she uses strength not as the main event, but as a quiet force for longevity and performance.
The Starting Point
It’s tempting to skip ahead and ask what Taylor Knibb is doing in the gym (spoiler: she deadlifts over 200 lbs). But Erin is quick to point out: it’s not about what Taylor is doing now. It’s about how she got there.
And how she got there is the same way Erin starts with every athlete, at every level: with the fundamentals.
Because strength training for triathlon doesn’t start with heavy lifts. It starts with moving well, building resilience, and progressing with intention.
“I actually slow a lot of athletes down when it comes to progression,” Erin explains. “Overloading too quickly, before establishing proper movement patterns and adaptation, becomes counterproductive.”
This is why Erin’s approach begins with mobility and movement quality. To get started, Erin recommends her Mobility Monday sessions – a live, weekly, free class open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Held at 6:45am MT every Monday, it’s a simple, accessible first step toward better movement.
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“I could try to describe all the exercises here,” she says with a smile, “but it’ll be much more helpful if we walk through it together. Come join me!”
From there, strength work is layered on progressively, always building on a solid base of mobility, alignment, and intention.
Cheering For Your Personal Podium
Erin Carson may work with some of the biggest names in triathlon, but what truly sets her apart is how deeply she cares, regardless of level.
“I’m cheering for everyone to reach their own personal podium,” she says. “Whether that’s a literal top-of-the-world podium like Taylor Knibb, a return to healthy movement, or anything in between, the size of the goal matters less to me. Helping you achieve it is what lights me up.”
This spirit is what makes Erin’s ongoing partnership with Triathlon Magazine so exciting. Starting shortly, we’ll be launching a monthly Triathlon Magazine x ECFIT Series designed to help you build a stronger, more resilient, and more efficient body, one step at a time.
We’ll also be hosting a live Q&A with Erin, where readers can ask questions and get personalized insights. Stay tuned for details!
Want to get started sooner? Visit www.ecfitstrength.com to learn more.
The post Strength Training for Triathletes With Renowned Coach Erin Carson appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.