Ways to stay motivated this summer

The past couple of months have been crazy. Schools were moved to online, fitness facilities shut down and sport seasons have been canceled. This can be very challenging, especially for youth athletes wanting to grow and develop to reach their goals. Now, more than ever, it’s essential that all athletes maintain their focus, drive and determination to become the best athlete that they can.   As we move forward into the summer, we are starting to see things jump back into reality. Fitness facilities are re-opening and sports are just around the corner from being able to resume. For all levels, sports has a good chance to pick back up in the fall, and now is the perfect time to improve skills and work to achieve your goals.  Here are some tips and ways all athletes improve their offseason motivation and stay determined this summer.    Stay true to your goals The best way to improve your offseason motivation this summer is by developing and staying true to your goals. Goal setting is a way athletes can hold themselves accountable for working hard and ultimately achieving their goals. Some examples of great offseason goals for athletes include:   Working out a certain amount of times per week Improve your speed Improve your strength Improve your agility Improve your sport-specific skills Improve your knowledge of the game   When developing goals, you want to be SMART. So when you are coming up with your goals, it’s important that they are Specific to what you want to accomplish, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This will help make sure that the goals you’re making are effective and worth it.    Stay strong mentally   The best way to stay motivated this summer is to stay strong mentally. One way to create a strong mentality is by creating healthy habits such as a regular sleep schedule, daily routine, and diet plan. Your everyday routine should be directed to complement your offseason goals. By developing a regular sleep schedule, eating a healthy diet, and making working out a priority each day, you’ll become mentally stronger.    Have fun   Another way to help improve your offseason motivation is to incorporate some fun into your workouts and training sessions. Yes, the off-season can be boring; but it’s all what you make of it. Doing the same exercises during the same days each and every week is good when it comes to following a set plan, however, it never hurts to mix it up every once in a while. There are a number of ways that you incorporate “fun” into your off-season.    One of the best ways to have fun while working hard is competitions. Off-season competitions bring a sense of enjoyment to athletes by making them work. When competing with other players and teammates this summer, be safe. Make sure you do not have big groups and are being mindful of proper social distancing practices.    Although sports are put on hold right now, every athlete's training and motivation should not be. Athletes all over are still working hard and becoming better. It’s important to stay on top of your competition and make sure you are staying focused, dedicated, and working hard all summer long.  Warren Academy will begin opening back up next week with small group training sessions. To learn more about our summer training program or to sign up, give us a call or visit our website today!