Whether you are playing a sport during the winter or just trying to stay in shape for the upcoming season, winter training is crucial for improvement both on and off the field, court, pool, or track. The colder months are notoriously known as a time of exhaustion and not feeling motivated. Because of this, it is important to stick to goals and practice good habits that will set you up for success in your season.
For NDB students, the winter is filled with assignments, tests, and just overall busy schedules. With that being said, winter training at NDB can look different for everyone. For people who are currently in season, that would usually include a lift once a week with a specialized workout tailored to your sport and practice the rest of the days, normally right after school. For people who are not in season for school during the winter, training can look a little bit different. Some choose to play a club version of their sport, which would have a similar schedule to school season, with the exception of tournaments and games or matches on the weekends instead of scattered throughout the week. However, this also means that they are normally going to the gym and working out by themselves, either to increase their results, including stamina and strength for club or for the people who don’t participate in sports solely for the enjoyment of movement and staying healthy.
Senior Cat Dorf speaks on this, stating, “Training for athletes in season and out during the winter is very essential, it keeps your stamina up, builds muscle, and keeps you in shape for the season. It’s not only physical, but also helps your mental strength as well.”
Along with the physical benefits of training in the winter, there is also a mental aspect to it all. Training in general helps build mental toughness and a positive attitude toward difficult things that one may encounter. It also works as a mood booster. When people think of winter and the cold, sometimes they think of seasonal depression. One way to combat this is to move your body in any way that feels productive. Movement releases a natural chemical in your brain called dopamine. This chemical is the equivalent of a mood booster and makes one feel more motivated to do other things.
Overall, training at NDB in the winter, whether it is for a specific sport or not, comes in many different forms. Each is unique, but each is just as useful and productive toward whatever goal you are seeking.
