How to Look Like a Pro Athlete without Actually Being One

A lot of people wonder how come I love my workouts so much and why so many people come to work out with me. Where is the difference? You’d say…. a workout like a workout!

Truth is that the best part about the way I and my clients work out is that we do not set limitations! We do not accept the fact that just because we don’t compete, we shouldn’t do any different physical activity than walking, running in the park and climbing stairs. We know that every one of us can do so much more! We know that what differs the regular man from the pro athlete is just these- the profession! While pro athletes get money for what they are capable of doing with their bodies, we get an infinite satisfaction of our abilities and achievements!

Every one of my clients, no matter his age, physical activity, sports background, injuries… if he works hard enough, one day he will be able of doing handstand walking, sprinting, jumping, flipping tires, doing pull ups, push ups, endure hard workouts, climb on a rope, deadlift and so on….

People often ask me what competition I am preparing for and they always look shocked when I say that I am just working out for my own pleasure and that I am a strength and conditioning coach. People consider that a person who can sprint, jump, do pull ups, drag tires, walk on hands, has nice, athletic body and follows a nutrition plan, should be by all means a pro athlete!

And this is far from the truth! I know that you too could become like me and the people I have the honor to coach every day! You too could have nice, athletic body and you could be capable of doing stuff that the regular man never thinks of doing in his daily life! That is why with today’s post I am gonna try and give you some directions on how to actually do it!

1.You MUST realize that the athletic body is the normal body for every single person and not just a privilege of the pro athletes

Yes, that’s right! Every one of you deserves the best, i.e. an athletic and functional body! Figure that out once and forever! Realize that being in shape doesn’t take that much time and unbelievable effort. You just need the right information and you have to get rid of the shitty information that is being popularized in the media! Forget about complicated workout routines! Being in shape is so easy! Just make up your mind ,that you want the best for yourself! Understand that you deserve it and go ahead and do it!

2. Lift weights! HEAVY weights!

Stop doing these long running marathons. Do it if it makes you feel happy, but not with the goal of getting in shape like that. Because you won’t get in shape like that! Running prepares you exactly for that- running. By monotonously running you won’t become stronger, more explosive, faster or more functional. Do you wanna be more explosive? Then, become stronger? DO you wanna jump higher? Then, become stronger? Do you wanna be able to handstand walk/ Then, become stronger! STRONG!!!

Forget about complicated workout routines. Just use simple, basic, compound movements! Do some deadlifts, squat variations, push ups, pull ups, different presses, lunges and core movements! Do less reps with heavier weights! This is THE SECRET that all of you are searching for! Trust me, I have no use lying to you!

3.Do intense interval training, instead of steady cardio

I won’t dig deep into scientific researches, but if you have been reading my blog, you are aware that human body and genes have evolved and adapted to intense physical activities. Such that are short and sporadic and not prolonged and boring! If you want to take the best out of your genes, then do what will provoke such outcome! Do intervals. Change the length of the intervals and the rest!

4.Challenge your body

Do different movements, that you never thought you were able of doing. Do handstands; walk on hands; jump over walls; jump high; climb ropes and etc… Do not put up with “I can’t!”! We all can! We just need to want it bad enough! Expect more out of yourself and you will be surprised of what you are capable of doing! Trust me! I managed to surprise myself! Now it is your turn!

5.Train your whole body

Your body is a whole. It is not just back, biceps, triceps or..! Your body is one whole thing! That is why you are supposed to train it like that! In order to take out the maximum of your body, so it can be functional and serve you well, you should train it as a whole! Your workouts should be for your whole body. Forget about back day, biceps day and so forth! Use compound, basic movements!

6. Eat food that gives you strength and life and not the one that is robbing you out of it!

You should already know that! A good nutritional plan, helps you not only to look good but the best part is that it helps you FEEL twice as good! Eat only real food! Food that is not processed, “enriched’ and… Meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, fruits and nuts! Combine those in different ways. Use your imagination and cook! That is enough food that can make your meals tasty and nutritious!

Let’s do it! Stop thinking that sexy, athletic bodies are just for pro athletes! Are you really gonna deprive yourself of the cool feeling of being strong, functional and feel like a God/Goddess in your own body? I doubt that you are such a person! Act with more courage!