By Matt Acevedo

                 One of the common themes with young athletes today is that everyone wants to be the best at their sport but not all are willing to put the time in the weight room.  A lot of athletes work so hard on their skills particular to their sport but do not take very good care of their bodies.  There are a few things that need to be done as an athlete to take you to the next level.

                First, lifting weights and making your body stronger.  Weight lifting is a key proponent in any athlete’s life and can make the difference at the end of a game in any sport.  Making sure your body and muscles are strong can prevent injury and help you perform.  The second key is cardio and conditioning.  Give yourself an advantage by having your lungs in shape and your body ready to endure a long season and give yourself the extra energy at the end of a game.   Finally STRETCHING!  Many athletes do not know the proper way to stretch and do not stretch at all before or after either a game or practice.  Make sure you stretch everyday to keep your muscles loose and flexible to help your body perform to its fullest potential.  Flexible athletes tend to be the fastest and most agile on the field or court.

                Doing these three things along with working on your sport specific skills in and out of season will help you reach the goals you truly want to achieve.  Please continue to check back for weekly training tips or if you are serious about taking care of your body, come visit us at Athletic Edge in The BATT Academy.  All training is done by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment or consultation, please call Athletic Edge at 410.590.2288 or email Matt Acevedo, Director of Athletic Training, mace4429@yahoo.com.