Professional athletes receive a lot of praise and adulation, and for good reason: they’re great at what they do. However, there are many things we don’t see that go on behind the scenes. According to one pro golfer, he put in six to eight hours of practice daily.
Another athlete confirmed working and training 4 hours daily in split sessions accompanied with psyllium husk powder to enjoy a good career on the tracks. Can fitness and exercise enthusiasts work like these guys and reap the healthy rewards? The answer is a resounding yes!
This article is for enthusiasts looking to break barriers by training like professional athletes.
Never Rule out Warm Ups
You’ll never catch professional athletes training on a cold body, so don’t do the same, especially if you’re starting out. First, it’s wrong to exercise without getting your muscles warmed because this act can leave you prone to sprains, tears, and other injuries.
Before you start your workout, take a few minutes to go through light aerobics. This gets your blood flowing and your body ready for more intense activities. Besides, it makes your workout a whole lot more effective.
Gear Up Properly
You’re ready to train when everything is in place, and that includes a pro gear that gives you the edge during sessions and when you need to recover. Professional athletes know how critical the appropriate gear is because it puts them in the mood to train.
What you need are the core basics, such as the right sports shoes, breathable attire, and other items that help you train. If you want, you can always have your gym bag packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Do Some Jumping
The exercises you do will determine the kind of results you get, and jumping is a vital component that helps you develop explosive movements. Pro athletes use jumping to work on their vertical and strength levels.
Further, working on your jumping and landing mechanics will give you an edge over other enthusiasts and athletes during games like basketball, volleyball, and other sports that incorporate jumping skills. Besides, you’ll improve your athleticism.
Perform Compound Movements
You’ve probably come across some literature on compound movements. They’re essential because they work multiple groups of muscles simultaneously, and the more muscles are used, the more muscles are gained.
Some good examples of compound movements include squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses. However, experts recommend ground-based compound movements because they keep your feet ground for longer periods.
The front squat is the most effective compound movement to build the appropriate posture. It’s also ideal for most starting stances in sports.
Stay Hydrated
Exercising and sweating like a professional athlete shows you’re moving in the right direction. However, it also dehydrates your body faster. Sweating translates to loss of water and other body fluids.
As a result, you must stay hydrated, especially during the training. Water helps you stay hydrated, keeping your muscles flexible and lubricated. If you’re looking to get more energy from your water, consider adding electrolytes in the form of a powder or gel.
When you sweat, your body loses electrolytes, and your body can’t replenish them fast enough, so staying hydrated remains your best option.
Practice Recovery
You’ve just gone through a long session and you feel drained, so all you want to do is hit the sack. That’s not what professional athletes would do. They practice active recovery, which is the perfect response to stiff muscles and feeling sore.
Speed up your recovery with brief, low-intensity exercises instead of taking some time off. Some options include walking, some minutes of dynamic workout, etc. These additional exercises will increase blood flow, helping your body heal faster.
Conclusion
Are you ready to go all out like a professional athlete during workouts? These are some of the ways to take your physical condition to the next level.
Ensure you incorporate warm-ups, jumping drills, and practice active recovery before entering full rest modes. Also, develop the mindset of a pro athlete by overcoming the mental barriers stopping you from hitting your best fitness level. Before you embark on routines, check your health and consult with your doctor.
