Sports Then and Now

If you are a sports enthusiast, then you know that the right preparation is key. Getting in shape for your sport of choice can be difficult, but it will pay off once the game starts! This blog post has outlined five tips to help prepare your body and mind for playing any sport. So whether you are trying out for a team or just want to get back into shape after being sedentary, these tips will help.

1) Get enough sleep

Sleep helps restore energy levels and allows muscles time to repair themselves. For example, if you don’t get enough sleep during the night before playing sports, then the chances are that by halftime or the end of the game, fatigue will set in, and performance may suffer as a result. 

2) Eat a balanced diet

Eating the right foods will help your body perform at its best. Carbohydrates are key for providing energy, while protein is important for repairing muscles. Avoid eating too much or too little before playing sports; you want to feel comfortable, not weighed down or lightheaded. 

If possible, try to eat meals high in antioxidants (fruits and vegetables) to reduce inflammation. Recent studies have also shown that omega-three fatty acids may help improve athletic performance – so make sure some of your daily calories come from sources like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds! 

All over the world, people are slowly returning to fitness routines that took a back seat for many months. Gyms closed, meaning you no longer had the means to work out. Sure, you did some home workouts, but that can’t compare. If you go from squatting your body weight on a bar to squatting with no weights, there will be a huge difference. 

Similarly, the difference it going from bodyweight training back to a gym routine is significant. It’s tempting to jump back where you left off, but this isn’t advisable. Instead, here’s a quick plan to help you get back to the gym after months away:

Take it easy

In the first week or two back, be conservative. Take it easy and re-introduce yourself to the gym. Some of you haven’t lifted weights for months, so it’s absurd to assume you can pick off where you left things. Go too hard, too soon, and you’ll end up hurting yourself. While a personal injury law firm might grant compensation for some gym accidents, you’ll get nothing for your own negligence. Keep your body safe, avoid injuring yourself, and ease back into the swing of things. Start with light weights and gradually progress over the coming days.