Size and strength can be helpful but too much can be an impediment to success in certain sports. Racers want to be strong but have great cardio vascular endurance with a lean mass.

 

Herman trashed the Dodgers training complex and showed that great size and raw strength, not properly conditioned, can get in the way of performance. Just ask the frustrated Leo Derocher.

 

Racers and Fans,

Today we have a racer that is naturally larger and strong, but feels uncomfortable with the state of his race conditioning.  We all come to the sport with different body types and you see different body types in the elite cicruits like Spring Cup and World of Outlaws all the time.  But there are common denominators that I expect from my racers in terms of preparedness and proper fitness.  Also I love this Racers mindset. Check out the part about preparing to win while his competition isn't putting in the work. So key. Today's Mail Time!

Hi Russ,

I'm an aspiring racer that has a different approach than most have. I got started racing when I was 17 in autocross-type racing, specifically on my University's Formula SAE racing team. Four years into engineering school and a few years under my belt driving open-wheel on cold tires, I have a better understanding what I want- a career in racing. You may say it's a longshot, and I agree. I didn't have the opportunity of karting at an early age, nor did I have the exposure that those young ones do to motorsports early on. Now, it's all up to me and I'm finding my own way to a career, and I'll stop at very little to attain my goal of being a professional.

I remember in high school soccer and lacrosse, my coaches always told us that the way we win is by training and practicing while the competition isn't, by working harder when they are taking time off. That's something that's always stuck with me, especially in racing. Because I can't usually drive a race car when the competition (teammates vying for the lead driver position) unless I find time to kart, I do what I can to stay very active physically and maintain a good nutrition plan. At 5'10'', 185, I'm a bit bigger and more muscular than the average top level driver. I've tried staying on an endurance/cardio plan and watching what I eat/how much I eat, but my body doesn't seem to want to get leaner. I've never really been able to lean out my muscle and lose weight, just gain muscle. Albeit, when I gain it it is pretty lean muscle, and I get more definition.

So anyway, after a long back-story, what tips would you give someone like me trying to lean himself out and stay conscious on the nutrition side, as well as maintain the strength needed to drive open-wheel, or any form of racing?

Thanks!

 

Being effective on the track is about a total approach to preparation. Our Racer in Mail time gets that and is looking to build on his natural size and strength. Something the famous McCrary twins failed to do.

 

My Answer:

Thanks for checking in. First let me say that I would never say you making a career in racing is a long shot. Long shots are accomplished all the time by those of us who are focused and dilligent. You definitely appear to have the winners mindset and are willing to take action. That is most of the battle.

Two things I would look at nutritionally are making sure you limit your intake of processed sugars and also limit processed foods of any kind. My Racers Workout program has a nutrition guide called Top Fuel Nutrition which I will gladly share with you. Shoot me an email at RussBohaty@gmail.com and I'll get you a copy. The basic idea is to eat real food that is out of the ground or a meat product that eats foods out of the ground.

Question about your exercise regimen: are you doing any running, specifically interval running? From what you tell me, you are not a guy that has strength issues but rather you might tend to gain weight as time passes? I have said previously that interval running is the best training exercise for racing fitness. It gives you great stamina, which will make it easier to focus on racing when you are grinding through to the end of a long race. I can give you more information on how to get one going if you'd like?

My Racers Workout program also is unique because it allows you to tailor the exercises to your specific body type and gives you the opportunity to consult with me directly. Pardon the shameless plug, but I believe strongly in what it can do for a racer in terms of being elite race ready. Our customer service is second to none too. How do I know that? Because I am out there front and center giving that service. Not some no nothing in a far off call center.

I look forward to your response. We'll get you the materials you need for the success you want.

Filed under: Motivational Messages • Workout Tips

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