Being an athlete comes with an enormous amount of time and effort dedicated to being the fittest & the strongest on and off the field. What you do off the field, determines what you do on the field.
DHL Stormers Rugby Player, Kurt Coleman is no stranger to this, having applied his trade in the sporting industry for many years.
Whether you are a serious athlete, or simply looking to get a little fitter this Summer Season, we caught up with Kurt, and got the low-down on his health and fitness needs and this is what he had to say:
WHY IS FITNESS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Obviously fitness is part of my job as a rugby player, but it has an advantage of keeping you healthy and that’s probably one of the main reasons it’s important in my life. Being at the best possible state is a critical factor in my career, as my fitness determines my performance on the field. Our bodies are tested to their maximum strength and endurance during matches, so it is important to me to be fit, strong, flexible and able to withstand the pressures on the field.
WHAT DOES YOU TYPICAL TRAINING SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
Each day differs, but I train with the Stormers team at the High Performance centre 4 times a week, and we play on weekends. Our training schedules are combinations of cardio, weight-training, watt bikes and on-field game sessions. We usually start early mornings between 07h00 and 07h30 and end around 14h00/15h00 with a lunch break, rehab, and recovery massages in between. We have one off day a week, for recovery purposes.
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IN TERMS OF FITNESS AND TRAINING GEAR, AND WHY?
You definitely need a good pair of trainers to start off with, to give you support and stability. Depending on you’re level of fitness, exercises can vary but for beginners can start of with a light jog just to get the calories burning and the heart rate up to lose some of that unwanted fat.
HOW TO YOU STAY MOTIVATED TO GET UP EVERY MORNING AND TRAIN?
Knowing that it is my job to go out onto the field and perform a task definitely keeps me motivated. I set goals for myself each and every week which work towards which in essence makes getting up in the morning a bit easier. I am surrounded by passionate rugby players who also motivate me to become better each time I step on that field. It’s about finding that inner motivation, and wanting to do it for your own self satisfaction.
WHAT IS YOUR 1 MUST-HAVE TRAINING ACCESSORIES?
Definitely my Fitbit watch – it has really helped me track my performance, my calories, my sleep patterns and it is so easy to use and navigate.
We also asked Kurt for his Top 5 fitness and training tips for everyone to enjoy and apply to their own lifestyle.
- Find an exercise that works for you! Some people are able to commit themselves to a serious gym session, whereas other may find a yoga session more of a workout! Do what you are comfortable and what you ENJOY!
- Exercising can be fun and come in the forms of walking the dog, rollerblading, learning to surf and much more. As long as you’re being active, it benefits you in the long run.
- Training Gear is a must – always carry a water bottle and towel with you. No one likes sweaty equipment.
- Find that Motivation – whether it’s someone that is close to you that will encourage you to push harder, or someone who is a trained professional that won’t let you slack.
- Do it for Yourself – train because you want to become better and healthier and fitter, not because someone is forcing you to do it. Do it for your own personal gain.
Follow Kurt’s jounery on Social Media
TWITTER: @KurtColeman10
INSTAGRAMG: KURTCOLEMAN10
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/KurtColemanRugby
