Learn How to Train Like An Athlete

If you feel like you’ve reached a peak in your workout routine, you might just need to switch it up. Not to worry! It doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow these steps and learn how to train like an athlete.

Set Goals

You want to become faster, stronger, and more fit but don’t know where to begin? Start your training by getting a journal or notebook you can keep handy and set your goals. Write down what you would like to accomplish and set a reasonable timeline for reaching each one. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t achieve every single goal. As long as you are doing what you can to improve every day, just keep on moving!

Track Your Progress

Use that same notebook to keep track of your progress over extended periods and note any changes to your body. It’s important to note that this step doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to keep track of your weight (unless that is your goal), but instead, keep track of where you are in your journey. Don’t be discouraged if you appear to be a bit behind in your progression. Scan your current routine and see where you may be able to improve.

  • Sugar and alcohol: An intake of things that don’t necessarily have a positive impact on your body could be slowing you down. Cut these items out to see some improvement.

 

  • Get some support: Find a support group—friends, family, co-workers—who can help encourage you during your training. Find people who make you feel good about yourself and your goals.  

Improve Performance with Compound Movements

Try to incorporate some compound movements into your exercise routine. Performing compound movements is a great way to gain muscle and establish a foundation of overall strength needed to do other activities. Compound movements include squats, bench dips, deadlifts, lunges, pull-ups, leg extensions, leg curls, leg presses, box jumps, push-ups, and most exercises you can do on a bench press. Lift heavy weights to engage a large number of muscle groups within the body. These are all great ways to customize weight or use your own body weight to strengthen your core and muscles.

Fill Your Body with Good Things

While this may seem like an easy one, it can be tough to let go of the things we love like pizza and ice cream. Cutting back on processed foods will change your body for the better.

  1. Fats: Put good fats into your diet like fish, avocado, olive oil, nuts, beans, and eggs

 

  1. Carbs: Having substantial carbs can replace ones loaded with refined carbs. Try sweet potatoes, whole grain oats, legumes, quinoa, and bananas

 

  1. Vitamins and minerals: Get all of your essential vitamins in the food you eat. Invest in colorful fruits and veggies like citrus, carrots, spinach, blueberries, broccoli, and so much more. 

 

Aside from maintaining a healthy diet, what do you normally find yourself using for energy? If you are someone who relies on high levels of sugar or artificial sugar energy drinks, you may want to take a step back and reconsider how you charge up. These drinks might taste delicious but they can cause dehydration and an elevation in your heart rate.

Bonus tip: Instead of energy drinks try a cup of coffee! In fact, cold brew coffee has a sweet taste and smooth texture. Pour a cup over ice and add a splash of almond milk before you hit the gym! Be sure to drink adequate amounts of water to offset any possibility of dehydration.

Time to Recover

It’s important to listen to your body. When you’re tired, start getting ready for bed. If you feel as though something hurts or aches a little too much, take a break! Instead of overworking your body and nervous system, take a day to get a deep tissue massage. Massages can be an ideal way to increase circulation in the blood and ease tight spots all over the body.

Stay on Track

Level up and don’t let other activities and events throw you off course. Whether you’re traveling for work or vacation, you can still pack a few items to help give you a great workout including activewear, resistance bands, jump rope, a foam roller, and a water bottle. Now there’s no need to say that you weren’t prepared or didn’t have what you needed. Simply pick a place outdoors, find a gym nearby, or work out in your hotel room if needed to give you the boost you need to stay on the right track.

At O Athletik, we encourage our clients to enjoy a balanced lifestyle when it comes to diet and exercise. Most importantly, we aim to inform all of our members on how to train like an athlete and get them involved in a variety of activities including our personal trainer programs, kickboxing, performance training for strength, heavyweights, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and so much more.