Personal trainer: Train Like An Athlete To Look Great This Summer! (From Bucks Free Press)

Personal trainer: Train Like An Athlete To Look Great This Summer!

2:50pm Monday 18th June 2012 in Freetime

With the London 2012 Olympics just around the corner, writes Scott Marsh, many of our minds are now focussing upon the exciting events and talented individuals that will hit our shores in just a few week’s time.

‘An Athlete’ is not how most of us would describe ourselves. After all athletes are gravity defying, sound barrier breaking, and record setting abnormalities of the human race. A million miles from many of us ‘normal folk’.

The true definition of an athlete however is a person who is proficient in a sport or other forms of physical exercise. So essentially there is no barrier to entry. That’s right; you too could be an athlete this summer.

Along with preparing ourselves for the major events in our very own nation, many of us are also beginning to put serious thought into getting ourselves in our best shape for our summer holidays.

In situations such as this, where results are key and time is not on our side I remind my clients to follow the ‘180 Principle’ – Do the exact opposite of what you see everyone else doing.

This summer you need to train like an athlete! As any good sports coach will tell you, being an athlete requires a lot of hard work and dedication. (Just like what you need for your fat loss journey.) The individual must literally live and breathe their chosen sport and must ensure that every part of the performance parcel is utilised for optimum performance.

No matter whom your coach or what your sport, athletic preparation boils down to three key elements. Elements that will be a great addition to your fat loss plan this summer!

Strength Training Building lean muscle tissue is essential for power development, endurance and performance. It is also a key tool in your fat loss arsenal.

My clients pick up barbells, dumbbells and throw medicine balls around. They perform functional exercises like push ups, squats, multi angular pulls, lunges and chin ups.

Our goal in our sessions is to work every muscle group hard, frequently, and with an intensity that creates a massive ‘metabolic disturbance’ that leaves the metabolism elevated and fat loss accelerated for several hours post-workout.

Conditioning Work Not all cardio is created equal. If you can read your magazine or hold a conversation with your friend whilst performing your conditioning work your fat loss strategy needs an update.

Whether you are preparing for the 100m sprint or readying yourself for the beach, choosing the correct form of conditioning for your goal is essential.

When it comes to fat loss, metabolic acceleration training or interval training can be the key to a great figure this summer. Begin by performing two 20 minute sessions on your favourite piece of cardio kit alternating between short intense sprints and moderate recovery periods.

Nutrition Nutrition is the most commonly overlooked principle of athletic performance. Nutrition however can be the missing link between an athlete’s success and failure. Giving the body the correct fuel at the correct time is critical especially when the stakes are high.

You as an athlete must fuel your body appropriately for your goal. My basic principles of nutrition revolve around: - Limiting your consumption of sugars and processed food.

- Eating fruit and vegetables throughout the day.

- Focusing on including lean proteins at every meal.

Focus on these three key principles of athletic development and you too will be sure to make July 2012 a month to remember!

Scott Marsh is the director of Xcelerate Fitness (http://www.xceleratefitness.co.uk), a results focussed personal training company based in Beaconsfield. For more information on transforming yourself in 2012 email info@xceleratefitness.co.uk or call 07921 856308 for your FREE information pack.