Basic Training - Workout Routines & Exercises for Athletes
By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide
- Basic Training for Athletes
- Strength Exercises | Routines
- Sports-Specific Training
- Ab & Core Exercises | Routines
- Injury Prevention Routines | Exercises
- Injury Rehab Routines | Exercises
- Stretching Routines | Exercises
- Exercise Equipment Advice | Safety
- Fitness Equipment | Gear
- Youth Sports | Fitness
- Women-Specific Training | Workouts
Basic Training for Athletes
Athletes need to practice in order to perform well. Training efficiently for your sport and varying your workouts and skill drills can help you avoid burnout and boredom, as well as reach new levels of performance.
- Endurance Training
- Cross Training Basics
- Interval Training Basics
- Plyometric Exercise Basics
- Explosive Exercise Training
- Circuit Training
- Speed Training
- Achieve a Personal Best
- Peak for Races or Events
- Body Weight Workout | No Equipment
- The Top 10 Tips for All Athletes
- Shuttle Runs Build Endurance
- 30 Second Sprints Improve Performance
- How to Train Like an Olympian
- Common Exercise Mistakes
- Navy SEALs Workout
- Best Bodyweight Exercises
- Stair Running Workouts
- Beyond Basic Training
Strength Exercises | Routines
Strength training is a critical component to athletic performance. Increasing muscular strength and endurance improves an athlete's ability to exercise more efficiently, avoid injury and recovery faster.
- Basic Strength Training Principles
- Simple Strength Training Routine
- How to Safely Use Free Weights
- Overcome Strength Training Plateaus
- Free Weights Vs. Machines
- Strength Training Over Age 50
- Explosive Exercise Training
- Should I Do Full or Partial Lifts?
- Best Butt (Glute) Exercises
- How to Do a Barbell Military Press
- How to Do a Full Squat Lift
- The Full Squat Checklist for Coaches
- How To Do a Stability Ball Push Up
- Strength Training for Runners
- Should I Do Cardio Before Weights?
- The Pull Up Exercise
- The Push Up Exercise
- Tuck Jumps Build Power
- Five Exercises You Must Do
- Glute Activation Exercises
Sports-Specific Training
Sample exercises, workout routines, and skills training routines and schedules for specific sports.
- Vertical Jump Training
- Skiing | Snowboarding Conditioning
- Spring Skiing | Snowboard Safety
- How to Use a Rowing Machine
- Golf Conditioning
- Training Tips for Better Cycling
- Train for a Bicycling Century
- Train for a Bicycling Double Century
- Tips for Trail Runners
- Army Physical Fitness Test Prep
- Fitness Boot Camp Workout
- Navy SEALs Workout
- Strength Training for Runners
- Treadmills vs. Outdoor Running
- Treadmill Workout Advice
Ab & Core Exercises | Routines
When it comes to moves that target muscle groups, abdominal training exercises are amongst the most popular. But it's selecting those that are proven to be most effective, and performing them properly, that will get you the strong core you're after.
- Best & Worst Ab Exercises
- Abdominal Exercise List
- Strong Core - Flat Abs
- Core Strength and Stability Test
- Best Ab Exercise Equipment
- Body Composition | Body Fat | Body Weight
- 10 Questions About Ab Exercise
- Ab Anatomy | Ab Function
- Bicycle Crunch Exercise
- Captain's Chair Exercise
- Ab Crunch on an Exercise Ball
- Vertical Leg Crunch
- Long Arm Crunch
- Reverse Crunch
- Plank (Hover) Exercise
- Basic Abdominal Crunch
- Crossover Crunch
- Oblique Twists with Medicine Ball
- Oblique Crunch
- Quick Core Workout
Injury Prevention Routines | Exercises
Many sports injuries can be prevented, or at least reduced, if you take some basic precautions. Make sure you are prepared for your activity physically and mentally, and use the appropriate safety equipment.
- Mouth Guards for Sports
- 10 Tips for Safe Workouts
- How to Prevent Muscle Cramps
- Why Warming Up Reduces Sports Injuries
- ACL Injury Prevention Tips for Athletes
- The 10 Percent Rule of Progression
- Eye Protection for Sports
- How to Prevent Ankle Sprains
- ACL Injury Prevention Training Routine
- The 6 Principles of Conditioning
- How to Safely Begin an Exercise Program
- Spring Training Safety Guidelines
- The 5 Most Common Sports Injuries
- How to Warm Up Before Exercise
- Wrist Guards Help Prevent Snowboard Injuries
- How to Prevent Golf Injuries
- Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
- How to Prevent Knee Pain
- How to Prevent Overtraining
- How to Prevent a Side Stitch
Injury Rehab Routines | Exercises
If you've suffered an injury, you need to returns to sports slowly. These tips, advice and general rehab exercise routines may be recommended by your physician or physical therapist to help you return to sports after an injury.
- Glute Activation Exercises
- Preparing for ACL Sugery
- Recovering from ACL Surgery
- ACL Surgery Rehab Exercises
- Guided Imagery Speeds Healing
- Ankle Sprain Rehab Exercises
- Shoulder Rehab: Isometric Rotator Cuff Exercises
- Shoulder Rehab: Pendulum Circles
- Clavicle Fracture Rehab Exercises
- How to Use Crutches
- Joint Stability Exercises
- Injury Rehabilitation Protocols
- Sports Injury First Aid
- Ice | Heat for Injuries
- Foam Roller Exercises for Tight Muscles
- Hamstring Injury - Stretching Exercises
- Calf Pull - Stretching Exercises
- Groin Pain - Stretching Exercises
- IT Band Pain - Stretching Exercises
Stretching Routines | Exercises
Proper stretching and flexibility exercises are essential for athletes. Learn how and why to stretch, benefits and limitations, and sample flexibility routines.
- Stretching Routine for Runners
- Simple Shoulder Stretch
- Standing Quadriceps - Thigh Stretch
- Hip Flexor | Psoas Stretch
- Foam Roller Stretching Routine
- Stretching Basics
- Stretching Research
- Flexibility for Athletes Overview
- How to Warm Up Before Exercise
- Advanced Iliotibial (IT) Band Stretch
- Stretching Routine for Groin Pain
- Stretching Routine for Cycling
- Stretching Routine for Golfers
- Stretching Routine for Snowboarding
- Stretching Routine for Hamstring Pain
- Stretching Routine for Calf Pulls
- Stretching Routine for IT Band Pain
- Stretching Routine for Back Pain
Exercise Equipment Advice | Safety
Some sports injuries can be avoided or by understanding how to fit, set-up, and use your sports equipment or gear. Learn how to use and maintain your equipment with these tips.
- How To Use the Rowing Machine
- How To Use a Stationary Bike
- How To Use the Elliptical Trainer
- How to Safely Use Free Weights
- How to Fit a Bicycle
- How to Fit a Bicycle Helmet
- How to Prevent Yoga Injuries
- Health Club Dos and Don'ts
- Common Health Club Exercise Mistakes
- How to Use the Treadmill
- Kettlebells
Fitness Equipment | Gear
While never a substitute for a proper training routine, the right fitness training gear and exercise equipment can help you improve your performance.
- Best Fitness Gadgets
- Sports Watches
- Sunglasses for Sports
- Balance Training Products
- Ab Exercise Equipment
- Must Have Home Gym Equipment
- Cold Weather Workout Gear
- Used Fitness Equipment
- Best Exercise Equipment Values
- Top 10 Home Exercise Equipment Choices
- Best Portable Fitness Equipment
- Protective Gear | Safety Pads | Guards
- Helmets for Sports
- Kettlebells
- Sports Cleats
- Bike Gear Essentials
- Cycling Shoes
- Body Composition Analysis Products
Youth Sports | Fitness
Children have special needs when it comes to sports conditioning, and injury prevention. Young athletes also need to vary their training routine and have parents and coaches who help them develop discipline on and off the field.
- Kids and Sports: Do's and Don'ts for Parents
- Should I Coach My Child In Sports
- Kids Sports Injuries
- Parent's Checklist for Spring Sports
- Growth Plate Injuries
- More Kids Developing Overuse Sports Injuries
- Personal Trainers for Kids
- Books Every Sports Parent Should Read
- Getting Your Child Involved in Exercise
- Strength Training for Children
Women-Specific Training | Workouts
Much of the available sports medicine information comes from studies conducted on men. Today we are finding that women often respond very differently to sports training, injury prevention and recover methods. Here are some women-specific tips and information you may find helpful.
