Anyone can approach a fitness routine like a professional athlete. All it takes is goal setting, motivation, commitment and getting your body used to physical activity.
Sports medicine expert Marc Boff, director of sports medicine for NBC's The Biggest Loser and owner of MHB Fitness, has worked with professional athletes for more than two decades. He spent 20 seasons working with four NBA teams: the Boston Celtics, New Orleans Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks, and is also a spokesperson for the sports protection and performance apparel company McDavid.
Beginning a Fitness Program
When working with athletes, Boff starts with two key components of any fitness program. First, he works with the athlete to create a goal by determining the reason why he or she wants to enter a fitness program.
"Is it sports-specific or do you want to look good in a bathing suit?" Boff says. "You need to know what your goals are to move to the next phase of the process."
This phase involves making sure you're physically and mentally prepared to start a fitness routine.
"You need to be aware of the steps involved to reach your goal and make sure it is attainable," he says.
Seeking Advice
Once goals have been established, professional athletes often seek the advice of professionals in other fields. These include strength coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers, nutritionists and others.
"In terms of individuals, if you have the resources and finances available, go out and seek the advice of someone who specializes in your goal," Boff says. "Whether a weekend warrior or marathon runner, you should tap into those resources if you can."
If that's not an option, researching online can be an alternative. Boff recommends not relying on a single source in order to research properly. Most importantly, if you do create a fitness program on your own, you should always check in with a medical professional before starting.
