Train Like An Athlete

Always wanted to look like an athlete? Well if you want to look like one – you have to train like one! It’s not going to be easy, but you’ll come to love the challenges that training like an athlete throws at you. Take a look at these tips for building muscle without losing your athletic prowess, for pros and new-starters alike.

Don’t work out on a slow tempo

As all good athletes do, you need to use your stretch reflex rather than trying to negate it. When using weights, make sure you lower the weight quickly and rapidly reverse the direction. Don’t push yourself too hard, but that explosion of movement is good strength training.

Consider supplements

Your body needs the right vitamins, minerals, and chemicals to function properly. For high performance as an athlete, it’s been suggested by studies by Oregon State University that there’s an intrinsic link between B-vitamins and athletic ability. Consider a B vitamin supplement to get the most out of your training.

It’s also worth considering creatine. This is a compound which is made naturally by the body to support muscle tissue, and fuels more muscle to be made. Also, protein supplements are highly recommended for athletes who wish to improve recovery.

Don’t let your sets last longer than 20 seconds

For athletic strength training, don’t spend a long time on reps. Not only is it boring, but you need to keep your body on its toes. With your lifting reps fast and snappy, perform around six a turn. Don’t let it last more than 20 seconds, this will help you become more explosive!

Don’t do straight sets

One thing you need to watch out for is fatigue. As you get stronger, you can perform better; but don’t push yourself. If you need to rest, rest. For this reason, avoid straight sets. Perform alternate sets and give the muscles you’ve been using a break, before returning to them a little later. You will be able to train much longer.

Do encompass all motions

If you want to be bigger, it’s useful to perform a limited set of emotions when exercising (to increase time-under-tension). However, as an athlete you have more to take into account; you need to encompass as much as you can in one movement. Don’t make your movements small, make them as big as you can so you’re using the full range of motion. Then you can develop your strength, explosiveness, and flexibility.