How Resistance Training Can Turn You Into A Formidable Competitor

This goes out to the endurance athletes out there - we’re talking marathon runners, road cyclists, swimmers, and triathletes. These sports require pain vs. speed tradeoff, which means… the faster you go, the more it hurts! 

When it comes to these sports, during the race, there’s less weight placed on working the hardest you ever have. Instead, the weight is placed on the days, weeks, and months leading up to that day - the training that has prepared you for that moment. 

 

Resistance Training

The idea of resistance training is based around making things harder for yourself during the preparation process. Then, when it comes time for the race, you remove those obstacles. This makes things feel easier and less painful when it really counts, and allows you to perform at greater speeds while staying below your pain threshold. 

By following through with grueling training sessions, your performance will be that much easier - and deliver a better result.

To follow are some examples of resistance training:

• A baseball player swinging multiple bats with weights placed on them before stepping up to the bat to swing a single, unweighted bat. 
• Training with a heavier bicycle, or with tires that have more rolling resistance, then switching to a lighter bike with skinny tires before a race. 
• Reducing carbohydrates (your main source of energy) during training as a way to stress the body and force it to work more efficiently, then consuming the full amount of carbs prior to a competition.
• Running into the wind wearing non-aero clothing before running a marathon in a tight, windproof kit.
• A basketball player completing dribbling sessions with a weighted medicine ball, then playing a game with a regular basketball. 
• A soccer player wearing ankle weights during practice, weighing down the feet and making footwork more difficult, then removing said weights during a game. 
• A swimmer who lets their hair grow during training and then, before a meet, shaves their entire body to become sleeker in the water. 

Performance Supplements

Resistance training is a great tool, but it can also be very taxing. Even though it makes competitions easier, the whole point is that it makes the training more difficult. This means that it can be hard on both your body and your mind. 

Using performance supplements is a great option to combat these unwanted effects. Without extra support, it’s possible to lose focus and/or motivation, or have trouble recovering from one workout in time to be ready for the next. A great supplement to consider is Organic Lion’s Mane, which supports memory, mental clarity, focus, and optimizes both nervous and immune system health. Natural BCAAs are important to incorporate into your diet because of the way they support muscle growth and reduce soreness and fatigue. 

While supplements are one way to positively support your active lifestyle, it’s also important to get plenty of sleep and to hydrate properly. Keep in mind that in order for you to perform at peak ability, you need to give your body what it needs to survive - and more! 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Protekt products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.