In the pursuit of physical fitness and performance, it's easy to make mistakes that can hinder your progress.
Are you tired of feeling like you're not making progress towards your performance goals? Do you want to achieve peak physical performance but are lost on how to avoid the common mistakes that decrease power and explosiveness?
At Melbourne Centre for Athletic Performance (975 Mount Alexander Road, Essendon) we work with some of Melbourne’s best athletes. Up and coming sprinters, Coates Talent League representative athletes, right through to some of the AFL’s fastest athletes. We see all too often how people prioritise the wrong things in their training. There are several common mistakes that can slow you down and reduce your power and speed. In this article, we'll discuss some additional mistakes to avoid in your athletic performance journey.
TOO MUCH WEIGHT TRAINING
While lifting weights is a great way to build strength and muscle, it's possible to overdo it. Lifting too much without a tailored program can lead to injury and also leave you bulky and inflexible. It's important to balance weight training with other types of exercise, such as conditioning and flexibility training. Improving your power-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratio by leveraging the right balance of weights to get performance gains without hindering your game-day performances is vital.
NOT ENOUGH SPECIFIC RUNNING
While running is a great way to build cardiovascular endurance, if you're not running with proper mechanics and energy demands, you could be hindering your performance. Poor running mechanics or misaligned interval training can lead to inefficient movement patterns and injury via mismanagement of load and ultimately decreases in performance. Make sure to work on your running mechanics and specific energy system's development. Technically consider posture, foot strike, and arm swing, to ensure you're running as efficiently as possible. Metabolically, consider if the running you are doing is specific to the demands of your sport.
NEGLECTING POWER TRAINING
Power training involves explosive movements, such as jumping and sprinting, which can improve your speed, strength, and power. Neglecting power training in favour of other types of exercise can limit your potential for improved performance. Incorporate power and explosive training into your routine at least once a week to maintain your power and improve your overall fitness performance.
TOO MUCH AEROBIC TRAINING
Aerobic training, such as running or cycling, is great for cardiovascular health and endurance. However, too much aerobic training can actually be detrimental to your performance. This is because excessive aerobic training can lead to muscle loss, decreased power, and oxidation of explosive muscle fibres. Make sure to balance your aerobic training with other types of exercise, such as strength, power, and anaerobic training.
LACK OF RECOVERY
Recovery is just as important as training itself. When you exercise, you create damage in your muscle fibres, which need time to repair and grow stronger. Without enough recovery time, your muscles can become fatigued, and your performance can suffer. Make sure to give your body enough time to recover between workouts, including taking rest days, having appropriate sleep and incorporating recovery techniques such as stretching, foam rolling, or even our Normatec compression boots.
By avoiding these common mistakes in your performance training, you can maximise your performance and achieve greater success in your sporting goals. At MCAP, we're here to help. We make sure to balance your exercise with a variety of activities, such as strength training, power and speed training, conditioning, and prioritise recovery to ensure your body has enough time to repair and grow stronger. With consistency and dedication, you can achieve your fitness goals and perform at your best.
Our expert trainers will work with you to create personalised workout plans designed to meet your unique needs and goals, whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting on your sporting journey. Our comprehensive approach to performance addresses the common mistakes that can slow you down and reduce your power. We also emphasise recovery, which will give your body the time it needs to repair and grow stronger, so you can perform at your best.
Don't let common performance mistakes hold you back any longer. Join MCAP with a Free Fitness Screening and experience the value of a comprehensive approach to performance.
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