Junior Taelor Adams lifts weights during her offseason in order to remain in shape. Photo by Maggie Siciliano.
Athletes cannot just show up to the first practice expecting to be good. The best athletes do not just train during their own sport’s season, but they also train in the off season.
Athletes can train hardcore everyday, condition, go to the gym, work out a few days in the week, or do next to nothing when it comes to off season training. Most athletes do a little bit of everything.
“I just keep up cardio endurance, running at least 3 days a week plus biking, or swimming. And I try to weight lift twice a week as well,” freshman Brougan Brown said.
Brown trains for Cross Country in the fall, Indoor Track in the winter, and Tennis in the spring.
“I run and lift weights,” junior Brady Cockerham said.
Some have to train a little more specifically, though.
Senior Joey Glick does bench presses in order to remain fit both during football season and during the offseason. Photo by Maggie Sicilano.
“For basketball, during the summer, I will go somewhere just to shoot a little to get back into the rhythm.” freshman Matt Shifflett said.
Senior Scott Measell agreed with Shifflett’s style of training for basketball.
“I try to get in the gym and get lots of shots up,” Measell said.
Different sports always require different training, though. Especially when the weather does little to help out.
“For golf, after the season I wait a month or two then go somewhere indoors and work on my swing, after the weather warms up, I will go back outside again.” Shifflett said.
The question is, does all this training really help? Will practicing in the off season do anything to make you better during the actual season?
“It definitely helps. It makes the conditioning easier when it comes time, and I recommend it for sure,” said Measell.
“I might start running a week or two before soccer [season], but the first couple weeks is half conditioning anyway, so you’ll be in shape when the season rolls around whether you do anything before or not. That first couple of weeks will just be harder or easier depending on how much you work in the off season.” junior Evan Shank said.
Many athletes stay in shape by participating in sports other than their own. Photo by Maggie Siciliano.
Some students are so busy with sports, there is not even an off season. Multiple sports keep athletes in shape year round.
“I definitely train in the off season because I don’t have an off season! But the different sports help keep me in shape for the other sports,” sophomore Kerri Hofacker said.
Students agree that training is the way to go, especially if you want to be the best straight out of the gates.
“I think it helps you in the season to be in shape, so I would recommend it,” senior Lexi Vondrak said.
Recent Comments