Friday, October 21, 2011

Helpful Fitness Pointers - Train Like an Athlete

By Darian Turner


For many of us, comparing ourselves with professional athletes is next to impossible. These players are physique perfection personified. They have lean bodies and amazing stamina that are to die for. With not an ounce fat anywhere, regular dudes like you and me can only wish that we had those ripped abs and arms.

But we all know that we are wishing for something that is extremely hard to accomplish. After all, how can you expect to tone your muscles like that when you're barely able to do 5 pushups?

However, you might want to hold up and widen your horizons just a bit. You may never be able to train like a professional ballplayer but your can do some things they do to take your fitness program to the next level. By following some simple training secrets of athletes, you'll be able to see vast improvements in your intensity, stamina, physique and health.

If you're training in the afternoons or at random times during the day, try to change that by exercising in the early mornings. You only need to discipline yourself to wake up early. When you train during the morning, you gain the advantage of having few distractions and thus being able to totally concentrate on your program. The fresh morning air is also beneficial. For those living in the city, the pollution levels are not as high at the break of day than during midday or afternoons, making fitness training a lung-friendly affair.

Eating and drinking sufficiently is important. Many of those trying to lose weight make the mistake of starving themselves to death in order to lose weight when it's a surefire way to abandon a training program and slow down metabolism which can trigger weight gain. Like professional athletes, you should eat a healthy breakfast composed of complex carbohydrates and lean protein, a well-balanced lunch and nutritious dinner. You should never go hungry, but have tiny bits and pieces of fruit or nuts in between meals to keep your metabolism running.

Water is extremely important. Drink 8 to 10 glasses a day and more when you workout. If you want, you can drink a sports drink when you train so that the electrolytes lost during workout will immediately be replaced. Before eating a meal, drink a glass of water first to stimulate metabolism.

Get a good night's rest. Professional ballplayers and athletes need to sleep for 8 to 10 hours each night in light of their intense practice regimens but you can get away with a 6 to 8 hour shuteye. Giving your body sufficient rest enables you to wake up early the following morning and helps hasten the repair of muscle tissues damaged during previous workouts.

When you exercise, vary your routines and use different kinds of gym equipment. Doing so allows you to surprise your muscles for increased calorie burn. You lose fat faster as you burn more calories. Walk, sprint, lift weights. Variety is the name of the game.

When you train like an athlete, you're guaranteed to look like one!




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