Exercise Like an Olympian

Living Well

Photo credit: kovop/Shutterstock.com

Written by: Meg Sharp, Fitness & Wellbeing Consultant, Cambridge Group of Clubs

I have a confession to make: I’m going through a bit of Olympic withdrawal. So, I’m going to extend the experience a little longer by exploring a few of the many elements that make Olympians such formidable athletes. 

What shall we explore? Genetics? Environmental influences? Body composition? Grit? 

Better yet, let’s look at some of the less complex things we can be inspired by and more easily try on for size.

Consistency, goal and progress orientation, managing setbacks, and fun. Let’s see what we can take away from these elements.

Photo credit: A. Ricardo/Shutterstock.com

Consistency:

Every day. Motivated or not. Energized or exhausted. Olympians show up for their training. Not every session is stellar. But they show up. They do the best they can that day. Some of them admit there are days when it’s 10% of the time and effort they gave the day before. But they show up. And so can you. Move. Every. Day. 2 hours on your road bike or 2 minutes of squats before you shower. Consistency builds discipline. Consistency builds habits. Which then builds success, confidence, and, ultimately, results.

Photo credit: Denis Kuvaev/Shutterstock.com

Goal and Progress Orientation:

Some Olympians can’t remember a time when making it to Olympics wasn’t part of their dream. For others, the Olympic aspiration appeared after a series of smashing other goals. Either way, Olympians create goals. This allows them to track their progress and make strategic shifts in aspects of their training to ensure they are doing the right stuff. Set a goal for yourself. Set a few! Each goal will give you a sense of purpose. You’re no longer simply sweating for the sake of sweating. You have become part of something larger. And charting your progress shows your ability to grow and succeed. It’s exciting. Purposeful. And you learn a ton about yourself along the way. 

Photo credit: kovop/Shutterstock.com

Managing Setbacks:

Olympians are trained to visualize success. They are also prepared for setbacks. Injuries, mistakes, missing the podium. Whatever the setback might be, an amazing athlete is able to keep going. Everybody gets injured. Especially when you’ve been pushing hard. Ask for help. Olympians have teams of people helping them! Explore alternate training options. An injured Olympic runner, for example, takes their workouts to the pool. Use a leg injury as an opportunity to really develop your core and upper body strength, for example. Over trained? Look for calmer movement opportunities. There are tons of options and they might surprise you with how engaging and challenging they are in different ways. And never let a “crappy” workout get you down. There are no crappy workouts. Every workout you do – 2 hours or 2 minutes! – is a building block. When an Olympian doesn’t make the podium, they practice compassion. A kind, patient space that allows them to reflect, learn, and move forward with renewed passion and hope. In the end, it’s the setbacks, big and small, that make success so much sweeter.

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Have Fun!

Sure, there are early mornings, rotten weather, grueling sets, and sore muscles. And there are moments – many moments! – filled with joy. If you can, find and commit to an activity or sport you enjoy. Look for ways your workouts make you feel better. Less anxious. Exhilarated. Better grounded. Explore ways of pushing yourself a little harder than you thought you could handle. In the moment, it can make you feel resilient and gritty. Over time as you watch your heart, muscles, and mettle get stronger, you feel more powerful, more confident, and accomplished. This is its own kind of fun.

Photo credit: A. Ricardo/Shutterstock.com