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Training Doesn’t Stop Once the Season Ends – It Just Begins

by Chris Pivik » on Feb 13, 2019 0

Another football season has come and gone. Super Bowl LIII is now behind us and if you happen to be a Patriots fan, I’m sure you were pretty happy with the way the season ended. While this year’s championship game was underwhelming for most, there are plenty of other memorable NFL moments to reminisce on while you recover from the season. But sports fans won’t be the only ones recovering, players have lots to do in order to heal from this season all while staying in shape for the next. Ever wondered what NFL players do between now and then?

Whether you’re a former player or just a huge fan of the sport, you may already know that healing injuries, strength training, and cardio routines are the top ways players are getting in shape for the 2019 season. But you may not know that players like Odell Beckham Jr. spend upwards of $300k to keep their bodies in tip-top shape while off the field. Last season, Beckham Jr. spent a good deal of that money on specialized chiropractors and biomechanic trainers in order to recover from a broken ankle. These specialists focus on rebuilding nerve tissue and work to increase mobility and range of motion to make sure injuries heal properly. Injuries can take even the best players out of the game for good, which is why it’s so important for athletes to invest in their health no matter the cost.

After injuries have been addressed, most players shift their focus to strength training. Linemen especially, work to build muscle in order to become an unstoppable force. While powerlifting is certainly a huge aspect of their routine, it’s far from the only exercise NFL players practice. The key is to be strong as well as flexible. Sled pulls, battle ropes and resistance band training are all great for upper body and core strengthening, but it’s also essential for players to spend time on lower body workouts. Squats, lunges and box jumps are excellent ways to round out training to ensure strong footing and legs regardless of whether they play defensive or offense.

While the linemen focus on building strength, players in skill positions work to increase speed and cardio performance. Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers need to move the ball down the field quickly, but without an interception, so agility is placed at the forefront of their regimen. Sprinting drills and sand training help improve footwork as well as speed on the field. Many players have even added boxing into their offseason routine to train hand-eye coordination as well as speed and stamina.

The bottom line is these athletes never really get a break. You may think that as soon as the Super Bowl wraps, NFL players spend the next seven months lounging on a beach enjoying the fruits of their labor, but that’s far from the truth. The real work is done in the offseason and in order to stay in the best shape possible and perform at their highest abilities. The training is never over.

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