Getting in sports shape... FAST

jennahaines108

My primary goal up until a few weeks ago was just to lose weight. Well, I've been playing pick-up soccer for a weeks and I finally lost it with myself--irritated that I just wasn't in sports shape. I play every week, but I've decided it's time for me to start trying to get my conditioning (cardio) and my strength in line so I can actually stay in the game and not get knocked over every time I touch the ball.

Any cardio/strength training routines for athletes?

Timshel_

All my training and exercise is sports based for competitive tennis. I found most of my routines and information online from professional organizations, on YouTube, etc. There are TONS of general cardio activities that almost all sports use, like ladder drills, shuttle runs, etc. Most of it is based on interval training, both high intensity and steady state. Start with YouTube and search soccer training and I bet you find some good routines.

Cheers.

Timshel_

Here is the search on Google
http://bit.ly/1z7TO9N

jchite84

I'd look at 10K running plans. (Read an estimate that an average soccer player runs about a 10K in the course of the game.) And, I would look at lifting programs for triathletes. It will provide a good balance of upper and lower body strength with a focus on functional movement and endurance. If you want a specific programs, I usually use Men's Health Spartacus, they have a DVD collection, or 2 PDFs available online for free that outline the basics of the program and give you 2 workouts. It is circuit HIIT style, fairly difficult, but you'll see results quickly.

No_Finish_Line

lifting is a good thing to do for athletics in general, but you'll probably get more soccer specific benefit out of HIIT, plyo and agility drills.

try exercising twice daily if you can manage it to accelerate conditioning.