Fundamentals of Athletic Training

• Successful athletic training requires goal setting.exercise image by sasha from Fotolia.com
  
  People engage in athletic training for a variety of reasons, including weight loss, muscle toning, preparing for competition, or simply for the joy of developing athleticism. Athletic training involves both physical and mental discipline, as you push your body beyond its typical activity level. Those embarking on any moderate to rigorous training routine should obtain clearance from their doctor to ensure they are training at the appropriate level of physical exertion for your weight and body type. Once cleared, observe these fundamentals of athletic training to get the most out of your exercise regimen.
  
  

Set Goals

• Setting goals is the most important aspect of any athletic training program, whether you are experienced or a beginner. Goals can be the amount of weight you wish to lose, or the amount of muscle you wish to gain, for example. How many miles you wish to be able to run in an allotted amount of time may also be a goal for some. Effective goal setting is both realistic and specific. Setting a goal of losing 100 pounds in two weeks, for example, is not realistic. An effective goal may be to lose five pounds over one month and 50 pounds over a year. In this example, setting sub-goals (five pounds in one month) will not only maintain your motivation, but provides a realistic assessment of your progress toward your goals. Setting a time frame during which you would like to reach your goal adds specificity to your routine and helps keep you on track.
  
  

Maintain a Proper Diet

• The foundation of a successful athletic training program is a diet that is appropriate for your training goals. Never forgo meals in the quest to meet a weight goal, as you will quickly lose energy and may experience other detrimental health effects. Failing to eat throughout the day may also cause you to binge eat later, taking in more calories or fat than you would have eaten otherwise. When training, it is important to understand the types and quantities of food you must eat in order to reach your goals. Runners, for example, should eat a diet that consists of light carbohydrates and lean meats. Professional dietitians may recommend heavier carbohydrates like pasta, bread and red meat for those training for football, on the other hand.
  
  

Conditioning

• Conditioning does not emphasize instant results or accomplishing short-term goals, but becoming a better athlete overall, and is the core of your training routine. If you run, for example, improving your endurance through conditioning your body to run longer distances over time will be what drives you to reach your goals. Conditioning may consist of establishing a program that combines aerobics, weight-lifting, and stretching to prepare your body for the rigors of your training program. Those embarking on an athletic routine must also engage in mental conditioning, which means pushing beyond the point at which you initially become tired. Mental conditioning will enable you to reach your training goals, as you condition your mind to transcend your perceived notion of what your body can do.
  
  

Technique

• Using the proper technique during your training will significantly enhance your results and help ensure you reach your goals at your desired pace. Training using the proper technique also cuts your risk of injury and may make your routine easier. Check periodically with a personal trainer or ask a seasoned athlete to verify that you are using the proper technique.