Smart Recovery

Suggested Post Caption Rest and Recovery, how much do you need? It can be difficult to determine. Like other aspects of training, there’s a fine balance. Too much rest and you’ll lack a consistent training stimulus to keep improving, and too little rest you risk over-training, diminished returns on your efforts and a higher chance … Read more

Skill-Based Exercise

Suggested Post Caption It might be time to start working on those dance skills or take up golf! A recent research review examined 72 studies seeking clarification on the relationship between exercise and cognition. Findings concluded that acquiring new skills, regardless of physical expenditure, offers the greatest cognitive benefit. Dance and golf are two great … Read more

Reframe

Suggested Post Caption Things are still a bit strange without a reliable racing schedule and I’ve heard from a lot of athletes indicating they’re feeling a little lost in their training right now. Hey, listen, races are great and this is for sure a devastating hit for race directors and athletes but training and exercising … Read more

Psychological Benefits

Suggested Post Caption According to the new position statement from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, resistance training is effective in lessening age-related decreases in functional capacity and neuro-muscular function. And resistance training provides the following psychological and behavioral benefits:— Reduced trait anxiety— Enhanced self-efficacy— Improved mood— Positive changes related to anger and confusion— Improved … Read more

Periodization

Suggested Post Caption Smart training includes some level of periodization. This means that there are progressions of several cycles of training to build toward peak fitness. Even if you’re not specifically building for a race, there are benefits to cycling up and then down through a training season. The idea of periodization is fairly modern … Read more

Mental Training Pain Tolerance

Suggested Post Caption Research suggests that while athletes and non-athletes have similar pain thresholds (the point at which one begins to feel pain), athletes have a higher pain tolerance. Pain tolerance is mental.Pain related to training refers to the various sensations of discomfort that an athlete encounters during training or racing. The higher one’s tolerance … Read more

Mental Training Motivation

Suggested Post Caption Mental Training – It Starts with Motivation.We all experience it. You’re tired, you’re busy, it’s hot, it’s cold, maybe I’ll just skip it and do it tomorrow. We sometimes (maybe all the time) have to battle our mind just to get out the door. If you have these self-arguments, congratulations! You’re human. … Read more