Skaters performing triple axle jumps, snowboarders twisting through double back flips on the half-pipe, and bobsledders racing down tracks at breathtaking speeds. Top athletes from around the globe gather every four years to compete for Olympic glory.
Most of us can only dream about achieving the levels of strength and endurance showcased by these extraordinary Olympic athletes. And yet, we just may be able to learn something from these Olympians.
Olympic level athletes use training techniques that can be applied to any personal fitness routine. Sure, most of us probably won’t be squatting on top of a stability ball like Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn, but, there are still many Olympic-style training methods that can be adapted into an everyday workout regimen.
1. Set a Goal –The principle of goal-setting is something that all of us can learn from our Olympic heroes. It doesn’t matter if your goal is using a heavier set of hand-held weights or performing just two consecutive push-ups. The point is to set a goal, then work towards it.
2. Strengthen Your Core – Core stability aids us in most day-to-day activities, as well as athletic endeavors. Take an extra five minutes each day to focus on yoga or Pilates-based core strengthening exercises.
3. Fuel Up – Eating a nutritionally balanced diet is essential for success, whether you’re training for the Olympic games or just hoping to make it past 30 minutes on the treadmill. Proteins supply about 10% of your energy needs during an endurance exercise. What about the other 90%? That energy comes from carbohydrates. Be careful to eat healthy carbs, such as whole grains.
4. Get Expert Help – Olympic athletes know how to conduct their workouts. Yet, even these elite athletes find themselves getting into a rut, doing the same exercises over and over. That’s why a coach is so important. A coach can help you focus on exercises that you may typically avoid.
5. Find Your Balance – Take your balance cue from top Olympians who have found the right proportion of training versus rest. Even Olympians, who train seven to eight hours per day, take a little time for their bodies to recover after intense workouts.
Go for the gold and channel your inner Olympian. Take a moment to examine your workout this week and see what you can incorporate from the training methods of our athletic heroes. The Winter Olympics may have come to an end in Vancouver, but the inspiration of Olympic-style athleticism lives on.