Football is a great game and one that is played by so many around the country and the world as a whole. However, one major drawback or aspect that can be quite annoying for all who play the game is getting football fit for the next season after a lengthy off-season break. Here are some great ideas to keep yourself fit and energized throughout the offseason and to ensure that you start every season in the best shape you can.
Rest and recover and deal with any injuries
The first step to getting ready for the next season is to rest and recover and allow all your injuries and niggles to heal before focusing on your fitness and strength levels. You may be able to start training the other parts of the body that aren’t injured, such as doing your arms if you have an ankle injury. However, the aim of this rest and recovery is to allow the body to deal with any stressors and injuries from the season you’ve just finished. So, take it seriously and spend some of the initial offseason just resting.
Continue to train three times a week minimum
If you don’t train and maintain your fitness, you will simply lose it. The target is to train at least three times a week and ensure that you are pushing yourself just as you would during the football season. The body needs to continue to be tested and challenged to respond and strengthen, so train like you mean it, even during the off-season. One of the best ways to do this is to have a home gym that can be used whenever you need to and will provide a convenient private place to keep your training regime going. There are some fitting example home gym packages from mirafit.co.uk that will allow you to work out the entire body in a professional and structured manner. They are small enough to fit in the home and yet provide a detailed and intense workout.
Cardio is critical
Many footballers spend the entire offseason in the gym and yet struggle on the pitch as soon as the season starts. They may be physically stronger and have built some additional lean muscle, but unless you have focussed on a cardio component in your football off-season training, then you will not have used the time wisely. Whether you run, row or ride, you must have cardiovascular sessions where you push your heart rate up and maintain your pitch fitness, allowing you to run, sprint, and play the game as best you can.
Hydrate
Lastly, don’t forget that only the muscles that have been hydrated work at their maximum potential. As the saying goes, hydrated muscles are strong muscles. Drink fluids, preferably water, and drink lots of it.
These are some very simple measures to maintain your football fitness throughout the offseason. It’s a better system than taking too long of a break and then working doubly hard to get back to your original fitness levels.