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Athlete’s Guide to Training: Avoiding Fads for True Performance Gains

athlete vs bodybuilder

The world of fitness and training is filled with lots and lots of information, so it’s easy to get swept away by the latest trends and fads that promise quick results. That being said, as an athlete, your training should be specifically tailored to your performance needs. To help you stay focused and obtain real progress, here are some key strategies to avoid being distracted by passing trends.

Why & What Are You Training For?:

Any effective training program starts with truly understanding your goals. Are you looking to increase your speed, enhance your endurance, improve your strength for a specific sport? By clearly defining your objectives, you can create a targeted training plan that meets your specific needs. Take the time to assess your current performance and pinpoint areas for improvement. This will not only give you a sense of direction but also help you measure your progress. A lot of people get caught up in what others are doing for themselves when they need to look at what fits to them.

Body Builder or Athlete:

While bodybuilding is popular for aesthetic improvements and looking great, its principles often don’t align with the needs of performance driven athletes. Bodybuilding typically emphasizes hypertrophy and isolation exercises that take away from the synchronicity needed from the muscles performance, which may not translate effectively to the explosive power and functional strength required in most sports. Instead of focusing on lifting heavy weights for size, prioritize movements that mimic the demands of your sport. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good but that can still come from performance based training. Incorporate more functional training like enhancing your agility, speed, and endurance.  Plyometrics are a great example of sport-specific movement that improve your overall athletic performance rather than just your physique.

Make It Easier:

Creating your own program for sports training can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. To simplify the process, seek out trainers who specialize in it. I was once an athlete that just wanted to figure it out themself but it wasted precious time. It’s way less of a headache when you allow these professionals that understand the specific demands of various sports to tailor your training accordingly. They can provide personalized programs, ongoing assessments, and guidance on proper techniques that align with your specific performance objectives without compromising safety or your actual performance.

#unleashthepotential

Written by:

Dan Aquino

BS, ASFA-CPT

 

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