Benefits Of Training Like An Olympian
1. Improved endurance
Since a lot of Olympic training involves endurance activities, your body will learn to adapt to vigorous physical tasks that require you to last a longer period of time. This means that cardiovascular quality will improve, as long as you train properly.
2. Increased discipline and consistency
Training like an Olympian means you’re sticking to your schedule no matter what the situation is. “There’s no more room for excuses since fitness will become a part of a part of your priority,” Andrew Knight New Canaan remarked.
3. Better health
Working out like an Olympic athlete will help you touch the three important bases of working out–strength training, cardio, and stretching. As you do this, not only will you build a better body composition, it will also improve your metabolism and overall health.
Whether you are planning to up your fitness routine, or just simply starting out strong, this post covers some exercises you can do to train like an Olympian athlete.
4 Exercises You Can Perform to Train Like an Olympic Athlete
1. Doing varied-meter sprints
Although you’re not hoping to be the next Usain Bolt, you can definitely train like him. Olympians train by dividing the spring track into short meters resting for 1 minute each interval.
For a concrete example, you can start running 300 meters each for six times. Have 1-2 minutes of rest in between and start sprinting again until you complete all six sequences. As an alternative, you can also try 200 meters or 150 meters for six times if you find the longer distances a little taxing. “Having vigorous bursts of training and finding short rests in between allows your body to go through an anaerobic phase, a condition where you use your unwanted fats as energy and develop more muscles,” mentioned Andrew Knight New Canaan.
2. Increasing flexibility like a gymnast
If you want more than just weight loss if you’re planning to train like an Olympian, you may want to consider doing some flexibility exercises.
A lot of gymnasts start their training warm-ups by doing a body bridge and forward rolls. You can do this by lying on your back and planting your feet and hands on the ground. Start lifting your core by supporting yourself with your hands and feet, in this way you look like a human bridge. Perform this pose several times until you feel your body have a good amount of stretch. Forward rolls are done by planting your feet and hands on the ground and shifting your weight forward to roll over. Watch out when doing this exercise as some people may be prone to neck and back injuries.
3. Swimming like an Olympian
Done with the running and stretching? Perhaps you can try swimming instead. Michael Phelps, the multiple-gold medalist swimmer trains through interval swimming ‘sprints’.
You can start by swimming 50 meters, 100, 150 then to 200-meter sprints. Make sure to rest 30 seconds per interval, and reverse the pattern on your second try.
Swimmers use their overall body to traverse themselves in water, so they also do some off-water workout activities. These include low planks, leg lunges, and resistance-band deadlifts. These types of workouts improve the muscle condition that most swimmers use the competitive sport.
4. Trying heavy lifting
Heavy lifters are known for their strong muscles. Ever wonder how they do it? The secret behind strength training is gradual development. If you plan to build strong arms, back and shoulder muscles, you can start by doing arm press-ups with the maximum weights you can manage. It doesn’t matter if you start at 2lbs, or 5lbs, as long as it’s the maximum you can handle.
When your muscles develop, lifting lighter weights will become easier and you can move to heavier weights during your training period. Doing appropriate strength training requires hiring a coach or going to the gym for complete equipment.
Working out even as a regular person may be a challenge, but it is definitely possible to improve your capabilities by attempting to train like an athlete. These exercise tips are completely actionable, and you can always do modifications for safety.
Olympics is a competitive sport that requires you to beat others, but training on your own means you’re trying to beat the old version of you. Being fit is a decision, but staying fit will always require a lifetime commitment.