While competing, working out was never difficult to plan. We turned our minds on autopilot and showed up to the scheduled practice, weights, and conditioning. We worked our ass off for the allotted time and then continued our day. We had guides and breakdowns on our specific daily training. So honestly, planning a workout was a non-issue. Everything was mapped out, all we had to do was show up.

We are extremely skilled in “how to train to win championships,” but have never been taught “how to train for life.” We interviewed some former athletes... here are their top thoughts.

Set New Goals For Training:

While competing, we had one goal… to win! Now during training, retired athletes need new motivation. For some, marathons, triathlons, spartan races, or Crossfit can fill that void. These events give purpose and create the structure that was previously lacking. Other former athletes disagreed and found these types of events too intense and not sustainable long term.

The one thing they agreed upon, was the importance of enjoyment and measurable goals. An athlete has to enjoy the workout, or they will never do it. These goals can be simple, like mastering a handstand, but they must keep one coming back for more. Athletes are goal fixed and progress obsessed. They need to continually find short-term and long-term goals that keep them motivated.

1) Make Fitness a Priority:

Many athletes skip workouts because of a perceived lack of time. This is the first span in their lives that workouts are optional. Work schedules play a big role in why people skip workouts.

3 Ways to Make Fitness A Priority

1. Plan workouts into your week, ahead of time.

2. Reflect on your plan and modify your schedule, if need be.

3. Hold yourself accountable and track your results. Athletes who tracked their progress had better results and accomplished their goals.

The Forever Fit program pairs you up with a former athlete and personal trainer, who has been through it all. The program gives you a teammate, a plan, support and takes all the guesswork out of it. Forever Fit makes guarantees you will reach your goals faster and makes it fun.

The best thing we can do is make working out a priority again, just as it was when we were competing.

2) Engaging Workouts:

Athletes find that choosing their workouts can be fun and liberating. They are no longer tied to one training style. For the first time, former athletes are free to lift, swim, run, or bike, basically anything they want for exercise. They suggest trying different fitness styles. They were surprised by what became their new love. What’s your favorite type of workout?

3) Set an Intention for Working out:

In the past, the goal of working out was to be the best at a sport. The mindset for every workout was intense and intended to be extremely difficult. For many former athletes, this may not be the case anymore.

Alex Feeken (Mpowher Athlete Member) mentioned how critical the transition of her mindset was when she began working out again after retirement. At first, she discovered that her workouts were too intense and not sustainable. Alex realized that her "goals had changed since competing, and the intensity of her workouts didn’t need to be as high in order to stay in shape and healthy."

This is a great idea to keep in mind during workouts. Athletes suggest, taking time to reflect on the purpose of the workout. For some, this may mean a period of hard training for a marathon, Crossfit event, or obstacle race. Meanwhile, other’s intentions may be to stay active and keep a healthy sustainable lifestyle. Whatever the goal, make one, and find the motivation to workout. 

Where there is success, there is a plan. Want a former athlete, who has been through it, make you a plan? We have certified personal trainers who are former collegiate athletes on staff who are ready to collaborate with you and make a plan. Learn more here.