The endurance of any athlete is crucial to their success in the sport. After all, if you can’t play or compete for an extended period of time, what’s the point? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that athletes can increase their endurance, including some tips that are specific to certain sports. These four tips will help any athlete improve their endurance in no time.
Cross Train
Exercise is about more than just building muscle. To improve your endurance, incorporate cross-training into your exercise routine. Cross-training can refer to any other type of physical activity outside of running, biking, etc., but it typically refers to weight training or using an elliptical machine or stair climber.
You don’t need to work out at a gym for cross-training exercises; they can be done anywhere. For example, if you’re lifting weights for strength training, try doing some cardio afterward by taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood.
Listen to Music During Workouts
Listening to music during workouts can help you stay motivated and keep your energy levels high. Workout songs come in all genres, from rock to hip-hop. Find a playlist that suits your personality and work out with your favorite pair of headphones at the gym or on your jog around the neighborhood.
Warm Up Before Exercise
Experts agree that it’s important to warm up before exercise. This increases blood flow to your muscles, allowing them to perform better. Because it can take up to 30 minutes for your body temperature to increase after sitting or lying down, you should spend five minutes warming up before exercising. If you are doing high-intensity workouts, try jumping rope or jogging in place beforehand. If you need advice on which warm-ups are right for you, try consulting professionals like those at Plan 7 Coaching.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for building endurance. During a workout, your body actually goes through three different phases of recovery. In order to get maximum recovery, you need to make sure your body can get through all three phases while you’re sleeping. The first phase is when your body uses creatine phosphate—which is stored in your muscles—to fuel an intense workout. In order to replenish that creatine phosphate, you need at least five hours of sleep each night.
If your endurance level isn’t where you want it to be, use these tips to take it to the next level. To improve your endurance, work on these four different areas over time until you feel more comfortable pushing yourself in all aspects of your training.