Tommy P. 
Already, there are 3 disciplines, so inevitably, you have to multiply by 3 the equipment without mentioning the specific equipment for triathlon.
Swim
Swimming: in training, it is not the sport that is expensive. Indeed, there is the swimming pool subscription. Personally in Montpellier, it is very accessible (90/100 euros per trimester it seems to me). The equipment is not very expensive: goggles, swimming cap, swimsuit, towel and often the small accessories pull buoy, board are lent. You may need to complete your equipment with pads. In competition, you will need a wetsuit to swim in open water (I talk about it more in this article) and it costs between 100 and…800 euros. Yes, you can use a wetsuit for your first triathlon but you run the risk of not having a good experience during your first race (risk of chafing, of being cold so hypothermia…)
Cycle
Cycling: good…. Everything is expensive in this sport lol except the mittens maybe? glasses, helmet, cycling gear, bike. Of course you can find nice alternatives at Decathlon but the products don’t resist to time OR to the lengthening of the distances. The most expensive being the bike but you can always get a loaner at the beginning, buy a second hand one for your beginnings and then if you are really keen, buy a nice mid-range one after a few months of saving. My first bike was a loaner from a friend of my mom’s, an all white liv. I loved it, then I quickly bought mine, sold out, online for 400 euros. It was very heavy but it was enough for me at the beginning.
Run
Running: well no surprise here, you know the rates and nothing changes for this discipline in triathlon, I hope I reassure you anyway lol
My cheat tricks
- Swimming: buy your wetsuit during sales, triathlon shows OR at the end of the season (October/November). Always try on your wetsuit. In the beginning, I would even advise you to rent ! It is quite possible, go to a “triathlon” store it often offers some for several days.
- Cycling: unfortunately, you can rarely rent a road bike. You can do it punctually it’s true but it is better to invest. I talk about it more in details in this article >> As far as equipment is concerned, the main thing is to have cycling shorts to protect your buttocks and then to invest progressively during the sales or by taking advantage of the end of the series.
- Running : well I don’t detail this part too much there are enough articles on the whole blog about it lol
