My Top 3 "Template" Hybrid Athletes
Caveats: These are athletes who, at their peaks, display my most highly valued qualities, including elite Vo2 max, exemplary strength-to-bodyweight ratios, open and symmetrical ranges of motion (ROM), above-average force-production capacity, maximum power-generation skills (fast, explosive strength), and uncommon balance and coordination. I am not recommending that older athletes begin training or competing as these athletes do. I am advocating that we older hybrid athletes prioritize developing these fitness qualities using a training template that modifies/appropriately adapts these abilities to the individual's unique starting point (including considering injuries and addressing pre-existing imbalances, which I mention in the program frequently).
#1 Gymnast - This should be no surprise. If you can think of an athlete who more masterfully integrates explosive power and precision of movement, I'm all ears. Few peer athletes can match gymnasts' ROM and strength symmetry. If the Holy Grail of fitness is the seamless integration of force-capacity, movement quality, and control, these are the keepers of the grail.
#2 Surfer - Below the gymnast and slightly beneath the obstacle course athlete for strength and endurance, but above both for balance and coordination relative to a moving (and unpredictable) set of kinetic forces, surfing combines the stamina of swimming, the grace of yoga, and the instantaneous adaptability of a rodeo bull-rider. Plus, they look really cool doing their thing. If you haven't seen HBO Max's "100 Foot Wave", watch it to understand the unique commitment and slight insanity of this wildly committed community.
#3 Obstacle Course Athlete - With elements of both the previously mentioned athletes, obstacle course racers have to manage and shift focus constantly among a wide variety of exertion types and strength/power/mobility demands. Unlike the other two, there are many levels at which you can participate and do relatively well (I know there are levels of surfing, but you need to do the work of establishing a base-level of sport skill to ride even for the mildest waves). It's a good idea to address the aforementioned imbalances (strength and ROM), resolve any injuries, and avoid unnecessarily risky courses (mud, catastrophic fall injury risk, etc.) before committing to an event.
Honorable Mentions: Fighters, Rock Climbers, (Olympic-style) Wrestlers
Each of these athletes manages multidirectional, variable-intensity exertion with varying demands of balance, coordination, and extraordinary levels of composure. Like the athletes mentioned above, the intuitive pacing demands of these sports are unlike most other sports (except perhaps hockey, basketball, soccer, and motocross, and maybe a few others that have slipped my mind). Very impressive.
Comments