Pre-season training is an important time for athletes. It’s a chance to get ahead of your competition and start the season with a bang.
However, pre-season training can be tough – it takes hard work and dedication. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your pre-season training.
The importance of pre-season training
Pre-season training is important for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a chance to get ahead of your competition. If you can put in the hard work during pre-season, then you’ll be in a much better position when the season starts.
Pre-season training is also an opportunity to try new things and experiment with different techniques. This is especially important for young athletes who are still developing their skills. By trying out new things, they can learn what works best for them and find a style that suits them.
Also, pre-season training is also a great way to bond with your teammates. If you’re all working hard towards the same goal, then you’ll develop a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork. This is an important part of any successful team or even individual athletes.
Let’s take a look at a few things that you should be doing during your pre-season training.
Stay hydrated
It may sound very obvious, but you’ll be surprised how many at how many athletes are negatively affected during their pre-season training by simply not staying hydrated enough. It’s important for all athletes, regardless of the sport that they play. Staying hydrated will help your body to recover from training sessions and will also ensure that you are performing at your best.
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day and also consider carrying a water bottle with you to training so that you can stay hydrated during your session. Often when you are thirsty, it’s already too late.
Don’t start too fast or too hard
Another common mistake that athletes make during pre-season training is starting off too fast or too hard. They think that they need to push themselves to the limit in order to get ahead of their competition. However, this is often not the case.
Starting your training sessions too hard can lead to injuries and can also leave you feeling exhausted before you’ve even really gotten started. It’s important to ease into your training so that you can gradually build up your strength and endurance.
A good way to do this is by using a training program that starts with lower-intensity workouts and gradually builds up over time. This will help your body to adjust to the increased workload and will reduce the risk of injury.
Listen to your body
It’s important to listen to your body during pre-season training. If you are feeling tired or sore, then take a break. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to injuries and can also set you back in your training.
If you are struggling to complete a workout, then don’t be afraid to modify it or even skip it altogether. There is no shame in taking a day off if your body needs it. Remember, you want to be able to perform at your best when the season starts, not be sidelined with an injury.
Know your weaknesses
During pre-season training, it’s important to take the time to identify your weaknesses and work on them. This will help you to improve your overall performance and make sure that you are prepared for the upcoming season.
Think about what areas you need to work on and then create a training plan that helps you to address those weaknesses. For example, if you know that you need to work on your endurance, then focus on doing some longer distance workouts.
Any good coach will help you identify these weaknesses and create a plan to work on them. Don’t only focus on your strengths.
Get the basics right
Get back to the basics! During pre-season training, it’s important to make sure that you are focusing on the basic principles of your sport. This will help to improve your overall performance and technique.
For example, if you are a footballer, then make sure you are working on your passing, dribbling, and shooting. If you are a tennis player, then focus on your serve and groundstrokes. For runners, make sure you are getting out of the blocks correctly. By getting the basics right, you will be in a much better position when the season starts.
Is it time for new shoes?
The pre-season is the perfect time to get into a new pair of shoes as you’ll be able to settle into them before the season starts. After all, you want to be performing at your best when the season kicks off, not trying to break in a new pair of shoes!
Don’t forget about cross-training
Cross-training is often overlooked during pre-season training, but it’s actually very important. By including some cross-training in your program, you will help to improve your overall fitness and reduce the risk of injury.
Cross-training can include activities such as swimming, cycling, and even yoga. These activities will help to improve your cardiovascular fitness and will also help to stretch and strengthen muscles that you might not use during your main sport.
Review your past season and apply the learnings
The pre-season is the perfect time to reflect on your past season and identify areas that you can improve. This could be things like your training program, nutrition, or even your mindset.
Think about what went well and what didn’t go so well last season. Use this information to help you create a plan for the upcoming season.
For example, if you didn’t train enough during the off-season, then make sure you include more training in your program this time around. If you struggled with motivation, then come up with some strategies to stay motivated throughout the season.
Don’t ever push through the pain
One of the most important things to remember during pre-season training is to listen to your body. If you are in pain, then don’t push through it. This will only lead to further injuries.
If you have any aches or pains, then make sure you see a doctor or physiotherapist. They will be able to help you identify the problem and come up with a plan to treat it.
If something doesn’t feel right, then take a step back and rest.
Be specific about areas you are looking to improve
When you are creating your training plan, be specific about the areas you are looking to improve. This will help to keep you focused and on track.
For example, if you are a runner, then you might want to focus on improving your 5K time. Or, if you are a footballer, you might want to focus on improving your shooting accuracy.
By being specific about your goals, you will be more likely to achieve them.
Assess any injuries from the previous season or from the off-season
The pre-season is the perfect time to assess any injuries that you might have. This includes both injuries from the previous season and any new injuries that you might have picked up during the off-season.
If you have any lingering injuries, then make sure you see a doctor or physiotherapist. They will be able to help you identify the problem and come up with a plan to treat it.
And, if you have any new injuries, then make sure you rest and ice the area.
Take the right supplements during pre-season training
If you want to get the most out of your pre-season training, then make sure you are taking the right supplements. This includes things like protein powder, Creatine, and omega-3s.
You also need to consider replenishing electrolytes and avoiding cramps. Two products that are increasing in popularity is Fixx Nutrition’s CrampFix and Fuel X.
CrampFix is Fixx Nutrition’s signature product that is specifically designed to relieve athletes from muscle cramps. It’s sold in over 1 000 retailers across Australia and is exported to over 15 counties.
Fuel X is a fast-growing product range that is designed to replenish important electrolytes that are lost during exercise, including training sessions. This in turn helps to avoid muscle cramps.
You don’t have to take our word for how effective both of these product ranges are. The UK Cricket and Football teams use them, as do the Wallabies and Springboks.
Take a look at both ranges on the Fixx Nutrition website here.
Pre-season training is important, but don’t forget to have some fun!
Although pre-season training can be tough, it’s important to remember to have some fun. After all, you are doing this because you love your sport.
So, make sure you enjoy the process. Find a training partner or group to train with. Make sure you vary your workouts and include some fun activities.
And, most importantly, don’t take yourself too seriously. The pre-season is the perfect time to try new things and experiment. So, go out there and have some fun!
What pre-season tips do you have?
