Guest Post: Training Tips from Olympic Athlete Steven Benedict
We all know that exercise is important, but what we don’t know is how important other aspects of working out are, such as stretching, recovery, and what to eat before and after. Our muscles need to be treated right for us to build them up and maintain it. These important tips are also helpful to prevent injury. Steven Benedict is a professional track athlete currently training for the 2020 Olympic games. His knowledge in exercise, fitness and health is wide spread, but he has provided some incredibly helpful and easy tips for the everyday person trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Stretching Static vs. Dynamic
“Static stretching is holding a particular stretch for an extended period. Usually the stretch is held in the range of 30-45 seconds or longer. Dynamic stretching is fluidly moving in and out of a stretch with short holds no longer than 5-10 seconds long. The arguments surrounding which one is better or more beneficial. As an athlete, I can tell you that when preparing to perform, you want to prime the muscles to get the most power out of them. Therefore, dynamic stretching is the way to go for the best results before activity. Post-performance is where you would take 15-20 minutes to static stretch. This releases any tightness or acid build-up in the system during the performance time.”
Icing vs. Heat Recovery
“Icing down and moist heat compresses are the most widely used methods for recovery post training and/or injury. The key is knowing which method is for what, and why.”
“Icing tends to involve direct area compresses or ice baths. There is also ‘spot icing’ which is used to focus on a specific area, usually for an injured muscle (i.e. strain, tear, contusion). An ice bath is for a heavy work load day and recovery. The pros of an ice bath are that swelling is brought down and it helps to re-oxygenize the blood and muscles. However, ice baths usually take your body an extra 24 hours to recalibrate due to such a drop in temperature internally. Some tightness may occur as well.”
“Heat compresses and baths, such as moist heating pads, are for spotting areas to loosen up tension in those muscles. On the other hand, Epsom salt baths, which are full body soaks like ice baths, can help tremendously with lactic acid flushing and weight management for performance. This helps keep the body flexible and loose. A con for heat compresses and baths is that dehydration can occur if not used properly which can also lead to cramping.”
Nutrition Pre-Workout and Post Workout
“When planning your day regarding nutrition, my coaches and most high-performance athletes have one thing in common: most of their nutrition intake is done primarily around their most active time of their days. Samples of some good choices for pre and post workout include: oatmeal, granola, fruit, waffles, pancakes, turkey bacon, natural peanut butter, almond butter, eggs, turkey sausage, protein shakes, ground turkey and ground beef.”
“Post training, you want to have two stages. The first is immediately after training and it needs to be fast absorbing. My go-to is some type of high protein shake that includes a waxy maze which is a fast acting carb derived from corn starch. 45 minutes later, have a solid meal consisting of high protein. I usually have chicken or fish but at least 6-8 ounces for men and 4-5 ounces for women. If you are short on time, I highly recommend considering a meal prep company. They are portioned out for you and cater to your specific needs.”
“In conclusion when you are most active that is when you need the fuel the most and you can taper off the other parts of your day by smaller meals to keep your metabolism burning. Which is what we want most, keeping it burning at the highest rate for the longest period.”
About Steven Benedict
Professional Track Athlete & Olympic Qualifier, Motivational Speaker, Published Fitness Personality
In today's ever evolving industry an athlete must not only be athletically inclined but be the epitome of all brands. Enter Steven Benedict, as a two time Olympic qualifier he now sets the bar even higher for himself by establishing his dual citizenship for the Italian national team to break a 37year old 200m record. He carries the torch of hope with his latest company Empowering Movement impacting all walks of life especially adopted, abused and children fighting disease through the platform that has saved him. Sports.
He lends his athletic prowess and impact-full expertise to global brands all while training as a world class athlete.
Off the track Steven continues to spread his reach in the fitness world being published in over 30 magazines writing, interviews and features on him and inside looks at his training, mindset and pure love for what he does.
Non-profits and brands seek him out to speak and host events for his motivational words bringing hope to the masses through his overcoming life experiences. His passion thrives not only as an athlete but also an ambassador of living to the fullest and bringing others to their max potential.
You've seen him in national athlete commercials, print ads and now films to come.
His knowledge, passion and elite talent make him the ideal face for taking your brand to the next level. He excels at major media opportunities, conferences, trade shows and customer engagement. He quotes "It's not to only have exceptional gifts but to use them exceptionally."
The One Part Of Training We All Have A Tendency To Leave Out
When an athlete has tight hamstrings the quadriceps will work harder because they are working against the hamstrings to compensate. This causes both the quadriceps and hamstrings to fatigue and sets the stage for a poor performance or makes the runner prone to injury.Tight hamstrings are a huge contributor to lower back pain, knee pain and leg length differences. If the hamstrings are tight and don’t fire properly, neither do the gluteus maximus and this causes the erector spinae to contract first, followed by the glutes and then the hamstrings and this puts massive stresses on the lumbar spine causing back pain. This also can happen to you!
The following are some great stretches for your hips and legs. Hold each stretch for a minimum of 30s and repeat each stretch for both the right and left leg 3 times. Make stretching a priority and part of your daily routine.
So many people have knee problems. You can use these exercises as pre-hab or re-hab. That means you can use them to prevent injuries in addition with your current training program or to rehabilitate an already existing problem. Always make sure to consult your physician before you begin an exercise program.
1. Quad clenches over roll downwards
Lay flat on your back or sitting up. leg and knee straight on top of a rolled up towel. Tighten the muscle on the front of the thigh by pushing your knee down into the towel. You should feel your thigh muscles clench. Hold for 10s and every day add on 5 more seconds.
Repeat 3×15
2) Quad clenches over roll upwards
Lay flat on your back or sitting up with your leg horizontal on a flat surface such as a bed. Place a rolled up towel under the knee. pull your toes towards you and clench you thigh muscles. Slowly lift your foot up off the bed until your knee is straight (keep your knee resting on the towel). hold for 10s and slowly lower. Every day add on 5 more seconds.
Repeat 3×15
3) Straight leg raise
Lay flat on your back. leg and knee to be worked straight, other leg bent. Pull your toes towards you and tighten/clench the muscle on the front of the thigh, locking your knee straight. lift your foot up about 6 inches off the bed. Hold for 10s and slowly lower. Every day add on 5 more seconds.
Repeat 3×15
4) Single leg get ups
Sit in a chair with your feet on the floor. start with the right leg. Sit up with all weight on single leg and slowly sit back down. Do the same movement 15x each leg. Try not to use the other leg at all and come to a complete standing position at the top.
Repeat 3×15 each leg
5) Glute bridge
Lay on your back with both knees bent about 90° and your feet on the floor/bed. clench your buttocks and lift your bottom off the bed as high as you can without arching your back. create a nice straight line from your shoulders to your hips to your knees. Hold for 5 seconds at the top and slowly lower.
Repeat 3×8 each leg (advance 3×15 each leg)
6) Clam shell
Lay on your side with your hip and knees bent approx 90°, feet together.keeping your feet together, lift the top knee up as high as you can. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly lower. Focus on squeezing the glue to get your leg up.
Repeat 3×15 each side
7) Heel raises
Stand with your feet slightly apart, weight equally distributed, holding onto something solid for balance like a kitchen work surface or wall. Rise up onto your toes lifting your heels as high as possible. Keep your body upright (don’t bend forwards). Hold for 5 secs and slowly lower
Repeat 3×15-30
8) Straight-leg raises
Lay down on your back. bend your left leg and place your foot flat on the floor. extend your right leg away from your body. Keeping your right leg straight, slowly raise it up to a 45 degree angle. Slowly lower it back down to the starting position. As you do this exercise, focus on contracting the quadriceps muscle. Slow and controlled!
Repeat 3×15 each leg
9) Wall squats
Stand straight with your back against a wall and feet shoulder-width apart. Walk your feet away from the wall about 6 inches. while keeping your back in contact with the wall, bend your knees and slowly lower your buttocks toward the ground. Keep going until your knees are bent at about a 45-degree angle. Raise your body back up until your knees are straight. Keep your back straight and do not allow your knees to go in front of your toes.
Repeat 3 x as long as you can hold! Challenge yourself.
Make sure to stretch as well. The most important stretches for you are:
1) Illiotibial band stretch
Position yourself by crossing your right leg in front of your left. keep your hands together loosely and start moving to the floor on your right side, your knee locked. You should sense pressure in the anterior part of your left thigh. Keep the stretch for at least 30 seconds minimum. Repeat 2-3x each leg.
2) Hamstring stretch
Stand in an upright position, keep your left knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Hold your thighs with your hands, try to keep them steady. straighten out your left leg out into the air until you feel the stretch. Hold for 30 seconds minimum. Repeat with the right leg.
3) Standing calf stretch
Stand a little less than arm’s distance from the wall. Step your right leg forward and your left leg back, keeping your feet parallel. bend your right knee and press through your left heel. Hold for 30 seconds minimum and switch legs.
Going to the gym alone is tough. There are many mistakes. Below are some of the most common problems that I see at the gym on a day to day basis. They are simple and easy to correct. Once adjusted you will feel better and achieve a more efficient and effective workout.
1. Proper Workout Wear. For your own saftey proper gym shoes should be worn. Weights could fall at any moment and land on your toes and break them or your foot if you are in sandles etc. Also for women a good sports bra goes a long way when exercises, and makes your workout more comfortable and enjoyable. Make sure to shower after your workout because sweat can cause bacteria growth. The last thing you want is something along the lines of athletes foot.
2. Abdominals. Keep your back pressed against the ground, and your belly button pulled in. Try and not bend your neck to keep everything in line.
3. Breathing. Inhale during the negative motion, and exhale during the positive motion. Don’t hold your breath, this could cause hernias or other injuries.
4. Using Weight Clips. Proper safety at the gym is very important. Too many times we through the weights on the bar for squats, bench, or curl bar without putting on the clips. Without the clips any slight movement left or right could send the weights flying, and could cause injury to yourself while lifting or to others next to you.
5. Stretching. Stretch at the end of your workout. Don’t bounce while stretching. Instead, hold the position; bouncing can cause injuries. Stick to static stretching, and hold for at least 30 seconds.
6. Lunges and Squats. Don’t let your knees go past your toes during any exercise. The best example is the squat or lunge. Drop your hips down, and sit back when squating as if there is a chair a little to far back for you. Keep legs shoulder with as well. This will help you avoid injuries.
8. Biceps Curls. Be sure there’s no space between your elbows and the sides of your body when performing bicep curls. A lot of times we like to hold the arms out from the body.
9. Running. Heel to toe if you are going for the distance. Dorsi flexed and on the balls of your feet if you are doing sprint intervals. Both should not be performed heavy, but light footed. Don’t forget to use your arms. They are just as important as your feet and legs, and when used your running economy is better (i.e. more efficient).
10. Diet. Lack of water decreases your energy level, and fatigue almost always lead to poor technique. You should replenish your stores after your workout no more than 20 minutes after. This helps with muscle growth and recovery. Try a scoop of chocolate promasil added to water or non fat milk.
11. Personal Trainer. When you get a personal trainer, make sure that they are properly certified and have their CPR. Also make sure that they are just taking you through mindless workouts. It is important to have a periodized plan for best results, and always have a goal. The goals are what will keep you motivated besides having set appointments with your trainer.
12.Holding on tight to Cardio Equipment You should hold lightly and keep a tall posture posture. If you feel confident it is even better to do it hands free. When you naturally swing your arms it promotes more calorie burning and improves your balance. That will help with day to day activities.
How To Handle DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
1. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout. Make sure to drink electrolytes or BCAA's during your workout. The essential salts will help regulate muscular contractions and nerve function as well as give you energy throughout your workout.
2.Espesso or coffee before your workout will increase muscle strength and endurance as well as help to reduce the chance of soreness.
3. Make sure to do a proper warm up and cool down. This will help clear out lactic acid, regulate the heart and help with blood flow.
4. Eat a post workout meal or snack that contains a ration of 4:1 carbs to protein. This will help restore muscle nutrients lost in the muscle during the workout. Chocolate milk is actually a great post workout options.
5. Massage, stretching, foam rolling, and trigger point release post workout also helps to increase circulation, help with tight muscles and reduce muscle tension like knots etc.
6. Take a cold shower post workout. This will help reduce inflammation to the muscles.
7. If you can't handle the cold shower a hot bath with epsom salts will also help blood circulation and inflammation of the muscles.
8. Proper rest. if you are training hard it is recommended that you get a minimum of 60-70hrs of sleep a week. This includes naps. Sleep is when your body recovers and rebuilds muscle. If you are training hard and often the more sleep you need to help those muscles.
Hey Guys!
I recently came across an awesome new product that is a kickstarted project. It was invented by a man named Eric and it is a massage track with balls. I think it's pretty cool and I could definitely use it for my clients and my athletes.
Massage Track offers patent pending tools for doing deep tissue massage, either guided by a therapist or for self-care after instruction. The Body Track and Neck Track are both designed to position massage balls bilaterally, for example targeting the paraspinals. The tools accommodate ordinary tennis balls, lacrosse balls or baseballs but can also be purchased with a specially designed massage ball set of varying hardnesses.
How is it used?
The massage track tools are designed to function using gravity for comfort and power. The user rolls the tissue structure on top of the massage balls applying body weight, similar to the way you would use a foam roller. It’s very helpful to have a physical therapist guide the user initially to explain pressures, hold times and trigger point release.
What are the features?
Both the Body Track and Neck Track are soft polyurethane and pliable to avoid injury and designed to offer variable positioning. The Body Track has four tracks with two different spacings so that massage balls can be positioned very close to each other, a finger width apart or with one or two empty tracks in between them.
The variable spacing makes the body track especially useful for working the back, gluteus and hips, but can be used for much more. The Neck Track has close tracks on the top and a wider position on the bottom (to allow for targeting of the side of the neck or the jaw). The Neck Track’s height allows the user to comfortably release the suboccipital muscles but also can be used to target the psoas, gluteus and upper hamstring area.
What makes these tools unique?
ability to customize the pressure easily by changing massage balls
great versatility created by a variety of ball spacing options
dual angles of pressure created by the track wall support
great simplicity
Do you think that this is a product that you would use? Let me know in the comments below.
I literally have hundreds of unanswered emails on facebook and my inbox. I am so sorry to all. I am only one person and it is hard to answer everything right away. I remember reading one not too long ago from someone asking for a good yoga video. Well here is one from youtube and one of my fav yoga instructors Tara Styles. Best of all its free! Enjoy!
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