If you want to be the best athlete you can be you need ask yourself one important question, “Am I able to perform my best on a consistent basis?”

The factors that prevent most athletes from reaching their peak are poor eating habits, imbalanced ex

ercise routines, and muscle imbalances.

Many athletes never achieve their best because they do not eat properly. If you want to be the best you need to understand what you are eating and how food affects your body. Find our how many grams of protein you need per day. How do you feel if you have too much or too little carbohydrates? How do you feel if you are dehydrated, and what are good food options if you are eating in a restaurant. These are just some of the things you need to understand of you want to be the best athlete you can be.

Poor program set up and improper exercise prioritization is another reason that athletes do not reach their full potential. Do you need to focus more on overall strength or agility? What are your cardiovascular needs? Do you need to do plyometrics, speed work, interval training, etc. Most athletes like to work on what they are good at, however, it is important to remember that you are only as good as your weakest link. Your top priority should be the area that needs most improvement.

Muscle imbalances & soft tissue injuries have destroyed the careers of many athletes. To prevent injuries you need to understand the difference between good soreness and bad soreness. You also need to understand muscle balance and joint range of motion. And it is essential to warm-up properly and to stretch regularly.

The fact is that it is not easy to get to an elite level in any sport. It requires practice, consistency, balanced workouts, good eating habits and a healthy dose of motivation. It is also essential to spend more time on injury prevention and muscle balance. It is an enduring battle to constantly stay in tune with your body as it evolves and ages, however, there is no more important job for an athlete.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer. For further information call 604-420-7800 or visit www.karpfitness.com.