It’s Olympics time and the next few weeks will see us all watching countless hours of a huge variety of sports.
Don’t just watch! Be inspired and add in some new sports to your regular training routine. Below are just some of the ways you can add Olympic Sports to your Workout
1. Track & Field
sprinting and interval training
Everyone has heard of interval training before and we truly believe that it is one of the best things you can do to achieve your fitness & fat loss goals. They are also a great way to ass in power and explosiveness into your workout routine. They are very hard work (if they aren’t; you’re not working hard enough) but fun and don’t take up much time.
Add in some timed intervals to the end of your workout – be sure to include upper and lower body exercises for a total body workout. Why not alternate between squat jumps and press ups/med ball slams for each work period? Aim to perform 5 of each (a total of 10 work intervals). Each work interval is 20seconds with a 40seconds rest period.
Alternatively, if you prefer to be outside do some short sprints in the park – no more than 10meters; hill sprints are particularly good fun!
2. Swimming – pool and open water freestyle, breast stroke or butterfly…….
Whether you are at the local pool or enjoying the warm waters abroad, swimming is an ideal exercise to add in to your workout schedule. A great total-body, low impact workout that is taxing but has very little impact on (achy) joints.
3.Triathlon
swim, run, bike
Building on our first sport, the triathlon adds elements of running and cycling to the mix. By simply adding swimming, cycling, and running into your workouts, you can add in great variety and CV endurance. Swim, run, bike are the usual 3 sports in a triathlon but you don’t have to stick with these; why not try row, run, bike if you are at the gym?
4. Martial Arts / Combat Sport
taekwondo, judo, boxing, wrestling
These sports have grown in popularity in the last 5 years; largely due to the insane popularity of UFC & MMA. These are some of the oldest Olympic events and the physical & mental discipline required for martial arts makes them the most complete and truly “Olympic” sports.
These events are fun but tough. A fantastic way to build strength & endurance, cardiovascular endurance, aerobic & anaerobic capacity, mental discipline, and self-confidence. Martial arts training is probably the best way to unleash the stress of the work week!
5. Any team sport you fancy
Football, hockey, volleyball, handball, doubles tennis……. …. or try them all!
Most local sports centres will have and offer team sport facilities. Or if you have a particular sport in mind, then just google search your local area for clubs and facilities. Failing that, grab a ball / frisbee and head off to the park with friends & family and make up a game.
It honestly doesn’t matter which sport you play. One of the biggest benefits of team sports is interaction with others – a lot of people just don’t enjoy exercising on their own. So just make sure it’s fun and you can’t go wrong!