Thursday, November 6, 2025
Do you ever wonder how Blues goalie Jordan Binnington can do the splits on ice while reaching across his body to stop a puck from going top shelf? Or how Kobe Bryant moves his feet faster than Flash? Or a more relatable comparison, how your neighbor pushes their two children in a double stroller while running in Forest Park?
One thing your neighbor and these professional athletes have in common is how they train their bodies. The competition may be different, but the goals are the same—to manage whatever life throws their way, from sports to parenting to helping their community recover after a disaster.
Training like an athlete isn’t just for professional athletes. One of the best things anyone can do in their fitness journey is to approach their training as if they were headed west to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. And don’t worry, we’re not talking about the hours spent perfecting a sport or craft—we’re talking about the blueprint of a multicomponent strength training program and the way you use and care for your body every day.
The most important aspects of training like an athlete are progressions, eccentric muscle activation, fast-twitch muscle training, and multiplanar movements. These exercises can be adapted to fit your body, goals, and lifestyle. Below are examples of each, including a beginner (example A) and advanced level (example B).
Progressions: Keep a record of your exercises, weights, and reps over time. This helps you see how you’re improving and makes it easier to gradually challenge yourself.
Eccentric muscle activation: Move slowly during the part of an exercise where your muscles are lengthening. It’s a great way to build strength and prevent or recover from injuries by teaching your body control.
Fast-twitch muscle training: Helps improve speed, balance, coordination, and quickness, whether that’s on the soccer field or dodging someone’s cart in the grocery store. No matter your pace, moving faster than usual challenges these muscles and boosts your body’s ability to react quickly.
Multiplanar movements: Train your body to move in different directions, forward, backward, side to side, and with rotation, just like you do in everyday life. These movements strengthen your body awareness, what fitness professionals call proprioception, helping your brain and body work together for better coordination and control.
So here’s your challenge: No matter your age, exercise experience, or athletic ability, get out and train like an athlete. You’ll boost your performance in daily tasks, build resilience for life’s challenges, and keep living your healthiest, most active lifestyle.