Every team
has someone who works like a beast during training and whose performance on the
field reflects their effort.
You can bet
that most, if not all, athletes who are at the top of their respective sports
are beasts during training. This isn’t some genetic gift. Some people may be
stronger or faster, but everyone can work hard to maximise their potential.
Elite
strength and conditioning coaches were asked to identify the common traits they
see in the best athletes with whom they work. They named five things the best
athletes have in common. If you emulate them, you will get more out of
your training program than ever before, regardless of the level at which you
compete.
1. Don't Be Afraid of Your Weaknesses
The best
athletes don’t focus only on what they are good at. Just look at Tom Brady, who was notorious for his lack
of speed. Brady dedicated the off-season to improve this area of his game, even
though he’s already one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.
“It’s easy to
focus on what’s easiest or what you’re best at,” says Mike Robertson, co-owner
of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (IFAST) “But if you’re serious
about being the best, you need to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
For example, if your conditioning stinks, make that a priority.”
He says,
“Quite simply, the best athletes have all the physical tools in their toolbox.
Make sure to train everything in the gym and you’ll see an immediate difference
on the field or court.”
2. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
“Success is
bred from a growth mindset. Greatness is not about how an athlete deals with
success, but about how they deal with failure,” says Brandon McGill, director
of sports performance at STACK Velocity Sports Performance.
All athletes
ultimately fail at some point, but the best ones are prepared to fail and have
the tools to recover and thrive. “Failing fuels intensity and drives them to
dig deeper and get better,” McGill says. “These are the athletes who come into
the weight room knowing what they are there to accomplish. They possess a quiet
intensity that sets them apart.”
3. Warm Up Correctly
Pete Holman,
director of Rip Training at TRX and former U.S. Taekwondo National Champion,
says he can tell if someone is successful in the weight room simply by watching
how he or she approaches their warm-up.
He says, “The
warm-up not only mobilizes joints, activates the core and primes the central
nervous system for more aggressive work. It is a time for the athlete to let go
of any thoughts or worries from the day and cultivate a mindset towards
progress and growth.”
This is not a
time to go through the motions — we know many of you do. It’s a precursor to
getting your body and mind right for what’s to come. Holman advises that all
warm-ups include cardiovascular conditioning, dynamic flexibility, low-level
agility and balance. “This will increase your performance, reduce the risk of
injury and set the tone for an outstanding workout,” he says.
4. Avoid Distractions
Bryan Meyer,
owner of B Myer Training (Altamonte Springs, Florida), says that his best
athletes are locked in when it’s time to work. “Some athletes talk and joke
when they aren’t working. But they always focus when it’s time to perform the
exercise or movement,” he says.
Everyone gets
in his or her zone differently, so you need to find what works for you. But one
common thread is to avoid distractions. Meyer recommends never checking your
cell phone, staying engaged in what you are doing and listening to and communicating
with your coach.
5. Practice Consistency and Discipline
This one may
seem like a no-brainer. The best athletes consistently work out and experience
the best results. “The way the phenomenon of ‘training’ can fully take effect
is through repetition,” explains Lee Boyce, owner of Boyce Training Systems.
“Developing the discipline to stick with a program, hit the weight room and
follow an exercise routine without deviating, skimping or dropping out is the
key to success.”
Joseph Potts,
director of sports performance training at TopSpeed Strength & Conditioning
(Kansas City), suggests that consistency means more than completing all of your
workouts. It applies to your entire approach to training. Potts says, “They are
consistent in their attendance, effort and dedication to getting better.”
I hope this helps you to be
outstanding.
One more thing before
you go......I would like you to do one important thing for me - spread the word
about this article.
That is all -
David
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