4 pro athletes share their training tips

The new year is often synonymous with renewed resolutions in favor of one’s physical fitness. What if you could redefine your health priorities by adopting a training program inspired by top athletes? Here we profile four Red Bull athletes and share their training tips, tricks and exercises to inspire you with your fitness goals.

Aaron Colton, motorcycle stuntman

Aaron Colton and action

The physical form ofAaron Colton is a key factor in his success as one of the best motorcyclists in the world.

Over the past ten years, Colton described himself as having an up-and-down fitness routine, but after experiencing shoulder, knee and back issues, he knew he had to prioritize fitness. regularity of his fitness program.

With the help of Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Center, he worked to improve his diet, strength and fitness to gain mass and get rid of pain, allowing him to extend his career.

Colton’s strength training program is fairly traditional: squats, bench press and deadlift. He also does aerobic exercises as a warm-up, which helps him improve his reaction time.

“In the last three years, I’ve gained 25 pounds,” he said. “Not only have I evolved as an athlete, but I have almost completely reduced the pain I had been experiencing for years.”

With this extra mass, he is stronger and can do the same work he has been doing for over ten years, but with less effort.

“I’ve had to change all the settings on my bike and the size of my gears, but I now spend less energy doing the same work than before,” Colton said. “It’s not just on a motorcycle, it’s also in life – as a father, at the airport carrying luggage – it’s all of these at once. I have become a much more complete athlete.

Bergen Reilly, Volley-ball

Bergen Reilly between shadow and light

Many think that volleyball players generate power from the upper body, but it actually comes from the legs. This is why Bergen Reilly, member of Team USA and the University of Nebraska, focuses much of his training program on the lower body.

“During the season, we practice about four times a week,” Reilly says. “We do a lot of squats and hang cleans to work our legs and we also do box jumps, wall squats and a little arm work.”

Reilly says she usually works on her body in the morning, leaving room for technical workouts in the afternoon, which last between an hour and a half to three hours. “In the spring we play beach volleyball, and after practice we practice in the sand,” Reilly says. “Summer is our true off-season, when we train to get stronger and fitter.”

For Reilly and his team, a big part of getting in shape and staying in shape is through countermovement exercises – working the “spring” and using the force from the ground to jump as quickly as possible.

With only one day off, Reilly’s schedule requires him to stay moving, and that’s where Red Bull helps keep him going.

“Sometimes we have games at 8 p.m. that are hard to stay awake for,” Reilly said. “Getting hyper at 8 p.m. can be a challenge, but Red Bull has saved me many times and helps me feel ready for the moment.”

Kate Courtney, mountain biker

Kate Courtney, boss des bosses

The fitness program Kate Courtneywinner of the World Cup VTTis not limited to cycling. “We do hours of cycling, interval sessions, a little running and a good dose of fitness,” she says, all with the goal of building power on the bike and staying fit. protection from injury.

Courtney’s training is tailored with the support of a team that helps her focus on strength and mobility. After training sessions, she undergoes physical therapy to counter the effects of the hunched position adopted on her bike.

“When I was younger, I focused on coordination and balance, but today I focus on form and precision of movement,” she explains. “It’s about finding areas for improvement and having the right program to build power and strength.”

His strength training sessions last around 90 minutes and focus on heavy lifting, while the strength and mobility session often follows a tough run. This balanced routine not only builds physical strength, but also improves Courtney’s mental performance.

“I drink Red Bull when I’m doing intervals and pushing hard in the gym,” says Courtney. “I also use it on the day of a test because it helps my body and mind kick into high gear.”

Kai Lenny, Big Wave surfer

Kai Lenny, model of board taste

The professional big wave surfer’s fitness program Kai Lenny varies depending on the season. In the summer he focuses on endurance, while in the winter he lifts heavy weights, works on hip mobility and prioritizes recovery. “I need strong muscles to survive the giant waves,” says Kai Lenny, emphasizing the importance of strength training.

At home in Hawaii, Lenny trains three to five times a week, depending on surf conditions. If the waves are good, he surfs. Otherwise, he goes to the gym. When he travels, he adapts his workouts and turns to Red Bull, which provides him with caffeine to stay alert and sugar as a source of energy for his body. “Red Bull is essential for travel and adapting to time zones,” he explains, noting the boost it gives him before big wave competitions.

Another aspect of Lenny’s training innovation is his mindset. Rather than viewing the gym as a chore or a box to check, he stays motivated by focusing on the specific goals he wants to achieve within his discipline.

“If I’m doing a duck walk or hip swing, I think about the turn while I’m doing it,” Lenny says. “If I’m lifting heavy, I think about how much strength I’ll need for roller dismounts and passing those big beasts at high speed. If you have a goal and a path to follow, the journey is always more fun than the destination.”

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