What can we learn from professional athletes?

What can we takeaway from professional athletes in terms of fitness? Most people see professional athletes of any sport and we see fit.  Now there are always a few exceptions, but to play at the level they are playing at night in and night out they are in pretty good shape.  They eat healthy, travel a lot and get lots of fitness in an average week.  What can we do to model their behavior?  Only modeling their fitness behavior not their social behavior.

1. Intervals- Athletes are on the court running full speed for a short period of time than resting for a period of time. So add some intervals into your workout this week.  Sprint or run as fast as you can for 30 seconds-1 minute than rest/walk for 30 seconds to 1 minute and repeat for a 30 minute workout!

2. Watch what you eat-  To athletes nutrition is key.  What you eat 2 days before a competition is what affects your body.  So think about what it is doing to you if you don't eat well and than try to work out all week long.  After a workout do you binge yourself with junk food?  How does that affect you when your doing a hard workout?

3. Lift weights- To be the best athlete in any sport the athletes lift weights.  They lift to be stronger, faster and a bonus is the defined and tone muscles you see.  If you don't know where to start ask a trainer for help or check out SaFire Training website for free workout videos.

4. Rest Days-  Yes even professional athletes need a day of rest.  Whether they go to a light yoga class, or take a complete day off varies.  But you need a rest day as well.  That is your bodies best chance of toning those muscles and gaining strength.  Plus it will keep you from burning out.