Do you have what it takes to train like an Olympian?3 Aug

As the Rio 2016 Summer Games approach, we’re all very excited to watch the best athletes in the world compete in a variety of sports. We’re looking forward to seeing lots of medals and even a new record or two!

Have you ever thought about the hard work, training and dedication it goes into being an Olympian though? It really is immense, and to celebrate the games kicking off in a few days we decided to look at the top traits needed to be a successful Olympic Athlete! Even if you’ve no intentions of taking part in competitive sport, these traits are still perfect for elevating your usual training routine.

Dedication – You’ve got to put the hours in!

Athletes put in a huge amount of their time in order to be at their very best, and it takes true determination to reach that elite level. Some have said that it takes approximately 10 years and 10,000 hours to reach that Olympian standard! This is why most athletes are relatively young – they’ve been taking part since they were children and worked their way up to this competitive level.

Being competitive – You’ve got to be in it to win it!

This may seem obvious, but that competitive streak is what helps you bring back medals! You’re competing against other athletes at the top of their game, as well as yourself and your previous personal best. You need to be confident in your abilities, too. Usain Bolt is an amazing example of this – he never doubts his own ability to win a 100m race, and he does indeed always win! Let the competition raise your game!

Physical fitness – You’ve got to be fit!

Of course being physically fit is very important to be able to compete against the best athletes in the world – Olympic athletes do hours of training every day; it’s like a full time job! All athletes have different ways of training, it’s about doing what’s best for you and your chosen discipline.

Being mentally prepared – You’ve got to get your game face on!

It’s not all about being physically fit though, it’s also about overcoming mental challenges. All athletes will have their own ways of mentally preparing for the Olympics – some examples are; meditation, self-talk and visualisation. USA Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas says she prepares by watching videos of old routines and seeing how confident she was, as it helps her visualise how her routines will go.

So, that’s a little look at what it takes to be an Olympian. As we mentioned further up the page, even if you’ve got no intention of competition in a sport, your gym workouts will still benefit from a little extra dedication, or by competing against your previous records. Be your own champion!

Have you taken a look at Rio in Brio yet? We’re giving away loads of prizes throughout August and September to celebrate the Rio 2016 games, so it’s worth checking out!

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