Sports Then and Now

Wouldn’t it be great to get as fit as a professional athlete?

Believe it or not, it’s not impossible to build the body of your dreams. Sure, athletes get paid to stay in shape – their job is essentially to work out. You, on the other hand, might find yourself sitting on your hindquarters all day long, staring at a computer screen.

Maybe you feel as though your girth is like the universe – infinite, mesmerizing and constantly expanding.  That’s OK: We’ve all been there before.

The good news is that by doing some research and figuring out a routine that works best for you, you’re taking the right steps to begin sculpting the body of your dreams. It’s easier than you think.

Get a Full Night’s Sleep

You might be tempted to try and burn the candle at both ends, but in the long run, this kind of behavior will certainly come back to bite you.

On days when you plan on working out, be sure to get eight to 10 hours of rest beforehand. Sleep helps you recharge your batteries and heal your muscles.

Eat Well-Balanced, Filling Meals

The food you eat gives you the fuel you need to take your exercise regimens to the next level. The best athletes in the world are very conscious of what they’re eating.

For example, Novak Djokovic swore off gluten and realized success on the tennis courts shortly thereafter. Everyone’s body is different, so what works for him might not work for you. If you want to get in shape, though, it’s probably time to swear of fast food and sweets.

Balance Your Workouts by Cross-Training

Don’t only work out one muscle group – you need all of the muscles in your body to be strong in order to realize the best athletic results.

Make sure that you don’t overexercise any parts of your body. That’s the ticket to injury. Instead, by cross-training, you will increase strength, endurance and flexibility while exercising all of your body parts equally.

Make Sure Your Form is Correct

You don’t have to be a member of an exclusive, invite-only gym to get into the best shape of your life. In fact, many professional athletes are members of gyms that plebeians like you and I can join, too.

For example, Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles players are members of Power Train. It’s pretty common for Power Train members to workout right alongside of these pros. And while there’s a good chance these athletes are using the same equipment and facilities as you, it’s also quite likely that they know how to exercise correctly.

As you begin exercising regularly, it’s important that you focus on your technique to make sure you’re exercising the right way. Here’s a tip: When you run, make sure your toes face forward, and make sure you land between the heel and middle of the foot.

Schedule Rest Days

You’ve already read about the importance of sleeping. Now, you’ll read about the importance of rest.

Just like professional athletes, it’s imperative that you schedule time where you don’t plan on doing any exercise at all. Blocking out specific times for rest allows you to make sure that your body performs at optimal levels the next time you push it as far as you can.