Turning the Off-Season On

By Donna Stark

It's been happening on and off all across the country. Games are being canceled and seasons are ending early, which unfortunately, is forcing athletes to face an unexpected off-season from their chosen sport. Clearly, this is not an ideal situation for anyone, but it doesn't have to be a total loss. If you are one of those athletes who have seen your season end prematurely, there is one thing to remember ... what you do during this time will greatly impact how well you play when those games are placed back on the schedule and you get to hit the field once again. But it's easy to lose motivation when you aren't working out with your team, isn't it? Unfortunately, that may be exactly what is required of you now, so take a look at the following tips on how to stay in shape and maintain your motivation during this downtime.

Set Goals

Setting fitness and athletic goals for yourself will help keep your training on track. Take the time to figure out where you want to be or ask your coaches for their input. By having an attainable goal to work toward, you may find that your commitment to working out is stronger than ever before. Just remember to keep your goals realistic. Nothing will break motivation faster than the frustration of not seeing the results you want.

Find a Partner

It's easy to skip a workout when you don't have a coach screaming your name, so find a teammate who wants to work out as much as you and hold each other accountable. Whether you train in-person or check in with each other over the phone, having an accountability partner is a great way to keep your eyes on the prize.

Try New Exercises

It's one thing to run through drills with 20 of your teammates but it is something entirely different if you have to do it alone. Boredom is yet another thing that kills motivation, so if you are struggling with staying interested in your workouts, you may need to try new exercises. Pull out your bike for some cardio or practice yoga in the mornings. Incorporating new and fresh workouts into your normal fitness routine is a great way to challenge yourself while staying motivated at the same time.

Turn the Off-Season On

Using the time away from your sport to prepare your body for future games is a smart course of action. It's also to your advantage, so stay active and get ready! Those games will get here sooner than you think!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Newtown Square, Pa.