Strength training is a very important component of athletic conditioning. While many athletes think strength training is going to the gym and lifting heavy weights, there are many ways you can improve your strength.
Core work is extremely important to help you maintain good posture and strengthen important postural muscles. All movement starts in your core, so speed, agility, power, and endurance are improved with a strong core. You can use a stability ball to improve your balance, strength and stability.
You can also improve your strength by using flexible tubing to improve your strength. Make sure you follow the proper directions for anchoring the tubing.
There are also many resistance exercises for each body part. For some athletes, it is important to focus on certain muscle groups. To review the exercises for various body parts,
Sport-specific training is important. For most sports, there are three seasons of weight training. The off-season is designed to help you gain weight or maintain your weight and to develop your whole body. The pre-season focuses on those muscles you will use in your sport. The in-season, one that many athletes mistakenly do not perform, is to help you maintain the gains you achieved in the off and pre seasons. It makes no sense to lose weight or development during your season so it is important to keep working out, even though the workout is far less involved and less strenuous that other seasons.
Including plyometric exercises into your conditioning routine can also be a big benefit. Before you include plyometrics, talk with your coach. You need to be in good shape before performing plyometric exercises and there are certain times when it would not be advisable to perform these exercises...such as just before a competition.
We have gathered a group of exercises that can help you improve your performance. Some utilize a stability ball; some use tubing; others use your own body weight. These exercises can help you turn a weakness into a strength.
