2 tips on getting the most from your lifting program
Offseason workouts, in my opinion, are the key to onseason success. I know that ‘onseason’ isn’t exactly a word but everything has it’s opposite so I thought I’d throw it out there.
Players often work very hard in the offseason lifting weights and throwing the ball around. Players go to camps and learn ways to be better as a player. The summer football season is a lot of fun but needs to be used to get bigger stronger and faster. More kids can earn scholarships in football than any other sport so the chances to get one are higher than they have ever been. Use this offseason to get better and heres a couple tips how:
1. Don’t forget to rest in between workouts. Players today want to workout as hard as possible but muscle needs to rest to repair and get bigger and stronger. Don’t work the same muscle group until the soreness is gone. That might mean that at first you have to rest a full week but later you will notice that you are recovering quicker and you can do a couple different areas twice a week. You will be tempted to test this theory by working out sore muscles but it will be counterproductive and slow down your repair time. It will also slow down your ability to build stronger leaner muscle.
2. Protein is key. I know I’m not the first to say this but it can’t be misunderstood. Protein is the key to building muscle and helping your muscle recover. PLayers who train hard and understand nutrition have the definite edge when it comes to this area. 1 gram of protein for each pound you weigh daily. This is a lot of protein to be consumed during times when you are working out hard but this is necessary. Fish, chicken, turkey all have good amounts of lean proteins that break down fairly easily. Protein powders are great meal replacements or meal add ons for people who are struggling getting enough protein. Don’t be so afraid of carbs either. Carbs like light pastas are much easier to break down then breads and provide energy for work outs. Since they burn easier they make it more difficult to gain weight.
