Identifying where you and your athlete are in the training cycle

Increase Athletic Ability and Your Fitness Health

Sports performance training is a popular area for parents and athletes. Social media showcases impressive exercises, heavy weights, workout tricks, and training hacks. Often, it’s hard to decipher what is needed to get results. Here are 9 points to consider when identifying a starting point:

1. Complete an Assessment to Create a Vision: Whether working with a trainer or coach or creating your own program, set goals and a vision based on five key points:
   • What can you commit to, and what does that commitment look like?
   • Consider hormone levels: How do they influence your goals?
   • Evaluate joint mobility needs for your goals.
   • Assess strength, power, endurance, and cardio requirements.
   • Consider how the people in your life can support your journey.
2. Commitment to Your Goals: If you aspire to look like a supermodel or perform like your favorite NHL hockey player, ask yourself if you can commit to the daily training needed to achieve those goals. If not, reassess your goals. People often see the finished products of athletes and celebrities without realizing the effort required to attain and maintain such physique and abilities (genetics sometimes play a role too).
3. Consider Hormone Levels: Hormone stability typically peaks around age 25. If you are younger or older, hormone levels can significantly affect your results. While testing isn’t always necessary, understanding hormonal influences—like lower testosterone in younger individuals or potential imbalances in older adults—is crucial. Ensure your plan includes techniques to naturally stabilize hormone levels. If issues persist after six months to a year, seek professional guidance.
4. Joint Mobility and Strength: Assessing joint needs for both daily life and sports is essential. This helps prevent injuries and maximizes performance.
5. Fitness Goals: Determine if you aim to be a competitive D1 athlete or simply stay active in daily life. Adjust your training variables accordingly.
6. Surround Yourself with Support: Whether you hire a trainer or coachor work independently, evaluate if the people around you are supportive of your health and fitness journey. Surrounding yourself with positive influences is crucial for achieving results.
7. Training Program Consistency: When envisioning your goals, ensure your training regimen is something you can sustain consistently. Age, injuries, and work commitments are common challenges. Develop a program that focuses on long-term sustainability rather than short-term goals.
8. Consistency Over Intensity: Disregard the belief that intense workouts are necessary for immediate results. Consistency is key. Focus on establishing a consistent and enjoyable training schedule first. As you begin to enjoy your workouts, you’ll appreciate the feeling of accomplishment afterward. Over time, challenge yourself to increase intensity gradually.
9. Building Strong Habits: Understand that there are no overnight miracle solutions. Focus on cultivating strong habits and eliminating habits or situations that hinder your progress. This approach helps you understand your mental, physical, and hormonal state within your training cycle, setting you up for success.

In conclusion, achieving athletic goals and improving fitness health requires thoughtful planning, commitment, and consistency. By focusing on these principles, you can develop a sustainable approach to sports performance training that supports long-term success.

#unleashthepotential

Written by:

Kirill Vaks
BS, CSCS, NFPT-SNS

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