Your Guide to X-MASS
/If you’re still working last minute to find that one perfect gift for the Volt Athlete in your life, rest assured it's not too late. As former college athletes, we have extensive knowledge of the day-to-day struggles that come with focusing on school, training sessions, practices, and trying to have a social life. The holiday season is a great time for athletes to get faster, stronger, and healthier using quality gear. That's why we call it "X-MASS".
Here are a few gift ideas that every athlete will love:
1. New Lifting Shoes
Fun fact…..Squats are hard. Trying to do them in some thick runner’s shoes from the 80’s only makes it more challenging. I've written about it before, but a good pair of weightlifting shoes makes a HUGE difference, and allows for every squat to be a beautiful orchestra of seamless full-body integrated movement. One pair can last a lifetime with proper care. Give the gift of powerful extension with a brand new pair of Nike Romaleo’s (preferably in red and black).
2. Bands
An unsung hero in the strength and conditioning tool box, bands are phenomenal for not only stretching and mobility work, but can help assist in improving motor patterns in specific movements. Banded isolation work of the shoulder or hamstring can be done at home as supplementary training. Having a set of bands at home allows more access to opportunities to improve your abilities.
3. Something waterproof
Maybe I’m biased because I live in Seattle, but working sprint and conditioning runs in the rain is a miserable experience. Something that keeps an athlete warm and comfortable when they line up for their 9th shuttle run is a lifesaver! It’s a lot harder to make excuses if you have the right equipment to get the job done.
4. Glass tupperware
Eating is a chore. As much as I talk a big game about eating, it does get a little tiring having to constantly put food in my face. Having second rate tupperware doesn’t make the experience better. Glass tupperware has some sort of magical property that escapes my understanding of culinary knowledge. Food tastes better, it lasts longer, and reheating it is much easier. As a plus, lids that snap on and are secure can also save an athlete from scraping chicken parmesan off their laptop (don’t ask).
5. Foam Roller/Lax Balls
Being a Volt Athlete means certain things, one of which is that recovery after hard training is a necessity. Foam rollers and lacrosse balls are key tools for relieving the feeling of sore quads and hammies. Reading Christye’s blog posts is one thing, but actually having the tools to implement that knowledge is another.
I hope these tips help you and your athlete in the New Year!
Happy Holidays from all of us at Volt Athletics!
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