The American Council on Exercise took a poll of 1,500 web site visitors asking "What Keeps You From Going To The Gym?" Surprisingly, 46% of those answering claimed overcrowded gyms are the number one reason they stay away. Is your reason on the list?.

Active vacations are becoming increasingly popular and many flatlanders take high altitude trips every year. If you train at low altitude and plan to exercise at high altitude, there are some tips and precautions you might want to heed. Those who are active at home might need to modify their level of exertion or take added precautions that at sea level might seem unnecessary.

The amount of sleep an athlete gets appears to have a large impact on sports performance.

Cheri Mah of the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Laboratory has been following the sleep patterns and athletic performance of Stanford athletes for years. Her research continues to show that getting more sleep leads to better sports performance for all types of athletes.

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

Sleep experts recommend seven to nine hours of daily sleep for adults, and nine to ten hours for adolescents and teens. How do you know how much you need? If you fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed and wake up without an alarm, you are probably getting the right amount of sleep. If you fall asleep immediately upon hitting the pillow and always need an alarm to wake up, you are probably sleep deprived.

Sleep - Tips for Athletes

• Make sleep a priority in your training schedule.
• Increase your sleep time several weeks before a major competition.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day.
• Take daily naps if you don't get enough sleep each night.

Training like an Olympic athlete requires a plan and a lot of dedication. By borrowing a few training secrets from Olympic athletes, you, too, can train smarter and get fit faster.

Learn Olympic Workout Fitness Secrets

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