When it comes to health and fitness, NFL athletes focus on endurance and mental strength to be able to shine on the field. From quarterbacks and wide receivers to running backs on defense, offense or special teams, any NFL player aims to have fitness and endurance at its peak. But many exercise enthusiasts wonder how their favorite NFL athletes approach health and wellness. Join us as we delve into the training habits, diet, and nutrition of NFL players, and the secrets behind their strength on the field.
Typical Training Schedule
All NFL players have to follow a rigorous training schedule if they want to achieve the highest level of endurance and fitness that they need during the football season. The offseason starts at the end of the final game in the season, giving players a period to recover. After a period of recovery, the players are sent to training camp for intense training to prepare them for the season. Then, the football season starts again, and the players train for the games on Sunday during the week. During the football season, you can enjoy betting on NFL player props as they train to provide you with the best performance.
During the offseason, NFL players arrange their training opportunities on their own. Most of them spend a period of the off-season at the training facility or their former university. From Monday to Friday, they have exercises like speed and acceleration sessions, position-specific drills, agility and cardio sessions, yoga, and weight lifting. Weekends are for resting and recovery.
Training camp is more rigorous, as NFL athletes are busy with football all day from Monday to Saturday, while Sunday is the break day, providing the players with a hot tub, sauna, and massage. Training camp usually starts a few months before the first preseason game.
Then, there is the training schedule during the season. This schedule is precisely timed and set by the team and also depends on when the games will be played, whether Sunday, Thursday, or Monday. For instance, if the game is on Sunday, the free day will be set on Tuesday, while other days are for exercises, walkthroughs, meetings, and treatment.
Exercises Typically Done by NFL Athletes
Now, what does a professional NFL athlete’s workout include? NFL training is not as simple as you would think, especially since this is done by professional athletes.
Athletes usually prefer mobility exercises so that they can prevent injuries and become more flexible. These include lean board stretch, hip activation, hip circles, hurdle step overs, and hip rotations. These exercises are just the beginning, as NFL athletes follow these routines daily.
Strength training exercises are also important, especially in keeping your upper body posture and stability strong. For instance, by engaging in external rotations, you can strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and enhance shoulder stability with a resistance band or cable machine. The T-spine activation is another strength exercise, as this targets the thoracic spine for better strength and posture. Anti-rotation band pulls are also widely done by NFL athletes, targeting the core muscles and torso.
Perhaps the most demanding exercise is the Pallof Press, which is very important to NFL players because it challenges the spine muscles to maintain proper posture. It involves standing sideways to a resistance band and holding the band handle at chest height. Then, engage the core muscles as you push the band in front of you with your arms fully extended. Ease back to the starting position, and rinse and repeat.
Apart from these exercises, there are NFL fitness staples, which are physical tests that take place before each season. It is often used to scout and test players.
Diet and Nutrition of NFL Players
If you want to follow the example of an NFL player, paying attention to your diet is also very important. These players eat a lot of carbohydrates for energy, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. They typically eat five to six meals per day, although their diet depends on their training and matchplay.
Healthy fats are important nutrients, making up 20% to 35% of the energy intake of NFL players. Many players consume potatoes because it’s a good source of macronutrients and gets digested easily. Another go-to food for players includes brown rice, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and vegetables. NFL players also consider herbal, natural remedies to improve health.
Hydration is also important to NFL players. Most players consume an average of 24 fluid ounces of water 15 minutes before every activity. Even during activities, they hydrate with water or electrolyte-packed sports drinks every 20 minutes. Some NFL teams even use IV fluids to pre-hydrate athletes before games.
Maintaining Mental Health for NFL Athletes
Aside from physical exercise and proper diets, the NFL focuses on maintaining mental health for its players. It’s important for NFL players to prioritize their mental health, keeping them in the right state for the season.
The NFL is increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health because they know it can help players make better decisions and play effectively. The NFL and NFL Players Association signed a joint agreement focused on supporting mental health and wellness for players and coaches.
Current and former NFL players with mental health needs can access the NFL line, a free and confidential hotline.