People who haven't seen me in Rocky 3, I pity.... awe you get the idea. (but I was pretty damn good)

 

Hi Everyone. This is an update of a very popular syndicated article I wrote recently talking about the evolution to importance of sports specific fitness for Racers.  I have to make this quick because I am being presented the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement tonight by Robert Deniro in a sold out ceremony in Cowboys Stadium.  The guy who sent me the invite seemed to make a big deal out of it being on April 1. I am pretty excited. I need to quick get fitted for a tux.  Pictures to follow soon. Russ

 

Last Weekend, I once again had the opportunity to enjoy racing at the elite level up close at the Devil's Bowl near my home in North Texas.  It was one of many many experiences I have had to be right there live near the energy of competitive professional Motorsports.  I firmly believe that experience alone is the dividing line between people who deny the athletic greatness of racers and those like me who are in awe of it.

The area that is my focus as a personal trainer for many pros like Kasey and Travis is exactly the same as it is training all Racers:  They must be able to withstand the demands and physicality of the driving for whatever length required and to have no noticeable difference between the first lap and the last lap. A racer worried about body fatigue or discomfort is one that will not be properly locked into the job of winning.

Another fool that you likely hear laughing at the idea Racers are athletes.

 

Prior to the advent of the internet and more access for the racing fan, most were unaware of the committment to fitness that is made by professional race car drivers   The image of the good old boy who roles out of bed and jumps behind the wheel after a night of partying and heavy eating and races his tail off to victory is a quaint notion. The fact is, many of your top drivers at the highest level like NASCAR, Indy, Outlaw as well as your motocross, have fitness regimens that rival athletes in the major sports such as football.

Old School Fool

A turning point in my opinion took place around 2005 when Dr. Sonjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent for CNN, got inside a car and experienced the uniquely dangerous conditions behind the wheel for himself   One observer noted to Dr. Gupta that the experience is like sitting in a sauna cranked up to over 100 for 3 hours with a roll of nickles grasped firmly in each hand. He came away more than impressed by the physical and mental demands of competitive racing. The profile looked at Rusty Wallace and Carl Edwards who was a newcomer at the time, and the athleticism required to compete in NASCAR. A good link to the CNN piece is tough to find, but I am looking, and I'll share it with you when I do.

 

Definitely not a Fool.

Clearly though, drivers began taking fitness more seriously prior to 2005.  NASCAR.com noted in a 2009 article that Dale Earnhardt, possibly the greatest driver to ever live and very possibly it's most popular, took to fitness routines when he got into his 40s in an effort to gain whatever edge he could.  What has ensued is nothing less than an arms race for every competitive advantage. Guys now train longer, harder and with more professional guidance than they ever have before.  I have more recently taken the best of the best from my training of elite race car drivers like Kasey and Joey Saldana and created "The Racers Workout" which aims to share the physical and mental exercises that make the difference in winning for Racers of every type and level.

Definitely a Fool

I know that  you Racers are not only tough and skilled, but smart. I just know you will jump on Racers Workout at the current launch rate with all the bonuses and the 60 days risk free chance to use it.  Jokes aside, I know I can take you to the places your passions and goals call you to be. Winning is fun.  Let's not fool ourselves.  Russ

 

Filed under: Racing News • Workout Tips

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