The Importance of Weight Training for Every Athlete
Every day, athletes focus on nutrition, hydration ,and training. For most people, training means being specific to your sport. For example, if you’re a runner, you train by running. Swimmers train by swimming. Football players train through moves that they’ll need on the field. Unless you’re a bodybuilder, weight training may not be a part of your routine. Here’s why it can be a powerful addition to your training program.
All athletes need muscle. Even if you’re not a bodybuilder, there are two reasons to build overall muscle: power and endurance. In most cases, athletes need to be powerful, explosive, and agile, and weight training can help.
This doesn’t mean just powerlifting the heaviest weight possible. Weight training for athletes is targeted for the muscle chain that will get you the greatest performance in your sport. For many, that’s the anterior and posterior chain, which includes your abs, lower back, glutes, hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, and thighs. This group of muscles helps you run fast as well as twist, turn, sidestep, and make other quick moves needed for team sports.
Strength in this muscle chain is necessary for most sports, and the best exercises to strengthen this chain are core lifts – exercises that engage multiple joints. Examples include squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and barbell rows.
Some athletes also need to work on upper body strength. Swimmers, vaulters, throwers, and others need powerful upper body muscles. If your sport requires upper body strength, you’ll want to add shoulder, neck, and arm strengthening exercises like pull-ups, bench presses, and push ups or incline pushups.
Adding weight training to your routine can give you that extra power you’ve been looking for to up your game. Power and endurance are important for just about every sport, and the right weight training can help you reach peak performance. If you have a personal trainer, ask about adding weight training to your routine. If not, talk to a professional at your gym for guidance that will help for your sport. If you’re near McDonough, Georgia, check out the TotalFit Lifestylegym, with TotalFit Lifestyle Coaches who deliver effective results with personalized goal-setting.
Hydration is the one thing everyone needs, regardless of your sport. Whether working out, weight training, or pushing through a tough competition, always stay hydrated with TotalFit Premium Water™. It’s purified, electrolyte-enhanced, pH balanced, and micro-clustered for optimal absorption so you stay hydrated to perform at your best. To get your case of TotalFit Premium Water™ , shop onlineor find a store near you today. For the newest promotions, fitness tips and more, text “totalfit” to 95577 and BE FIT today!









