A few years ago, I was invited on a cycling trip to Mallorca. It was set to involve around 100km of riding per day, with the longest day pushing close to 200km.

Now, here’s the kicker: in the 14 weeks leading up to the trip, I’d averaged just 2 hours of riding per week. On top of that, I’d missed 8 full weeks due to travel, injuries, and illness. I was genuinely worried I’d be hanging on for dear life.

But as it turned out, I completed every ride, clocked just under 600km in 6 days, and only got dropped for a few minutes on the big climbs. Not bad for someone coming off patchy training.

The truth is, years of consistent work had left me with a solid foundation. A base level of fitness that I like to call “battle ready” (a phrase I’ve borrowed from my good friend Mark Laithwaite).

What Does 'Battle Ready' Actually Mean?

The dictionary defines battle ready as:

In this case, the enemy was each day’s ride.

But being battle ready doesn’t mean being in peak form. Peak fitness is something you might aim to hit once, maybe twice a year. Battle ready is different—it’s the level of fitness you aim to maintain the rest of the year. It’s a broad, flexible range that gives you the freedom to enjoy life while still being ready to say “yes” to a spontaneous challenge.

Who’s It For?

Being battle ready is perfect for:

• Athletes who aren’t training for a specific race, but want to stay in shape just in case
• Those coming off a busy race season who want to keep hold of their fitness
• Anyone who wants to maintain health and performance without training taking over their life

The Best Part? It Doesn’t Take Much

You don’t need huge training volumes or brutal intensity to stay battle ready. Most people can maintain a solid fitness base with just 4–6 hours of varied training per week.

Here’s a sample “battle ready” training week for a triathlete:

If you’re a single-sport athlete, just alternate the strength sessions with your main sport.

Why It Works

This kind of structure comes with some serious upsides:

• ✅ Less stress on the body
• ✅ More recovery, which improves adaptation
• ✅ Time back for friends, family, or other goals
• ✅ Fewer injuries and illness thanks to a stronger immune system

It’s a sustainable, enjoyable way to stay fit—without needing to be laser-focused on competition.

Ready When You Are

So, here’s the question:

Are you battle ready?

Not race-fit. Not chasing PBs. Just strong, capable, and ready to go. Start small. Stay consistent. You might be surprised how far it gets you.

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Sign up today and I’ll help you get battle ready: fit, resilient, and always prepared to say yes to the next challenge.

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Thanks for being part of the tribe — I’m here to help you stay healthy, strong, and performing at your best. ​ Simon

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Please check out these podcasts and articles

PODCAST: 'Just make sure you are here next week!" with Jess Learmonth Today’s guest is Leeds-based triathlete Jess Learmonth. I’ve known Jess since she joined our Survival Saturday swim sessions years ago, fresh from a six-year break. With her powerhouse swim background, she rose rapidly through the triathlon ranks to Olympic gold. We chat about her early struggles with running, brutal swim squads, and the importance of patience, consistency, and perspective—especially now as she navigates motherhood and life beyond sport. A brilliant, honest conversation you won’t want to miss. Tune in now

ARTICLE: Sleep: The BEST recovery tool you have! Back in my younger days, I didn’t give much thought to sleep as a way to enhance performance. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice now, it would be this: pay more attention to what you do in the hours before bedtime. Your pre-sleep routine directly impacts both the quality and quantity of your sleep—and in turn, your overall performance. These days, sleep experts talk a lot about "sleep opportunity." Once you’re asleep, your body takes over the process, but you have a huge influence on how much rest you get and how restorative it is. Creating the right environment and routine before bed can make all the difference. Settle down for more tips (3 min read)

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