Whether you are a serious athlete or are preparing to run a charity marathon, if peak fitness is on your agenda, you’ve come to the right place. Assuming you already have a basic level of fitness and are looking to improve on that, here are some useful tips to help you achieve your long-term fitness goals.

• The right input – In order to be able to push your body to the limits (and beyond), your diet needs to contain all of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you will need. If, for example, you are planning to build muscle mass, you will require protein in abundance, which can be obtained from protein shakes, while long distance running demands strong bones and ligaments, which means zinc, calcium and magnesium. Drink plenty of water and allow enough rest time; overtraining is a very real risk.
• Professional help – The coaching program in Frenchs forest is tailored to suit the client and once they know your goals, they can put together a training plan and with their help, you will go on to smash your personal best! Sports coaches are worth their weight in gold and whatever your chosen discipline, seek out a well-known coach and that will virtually guarantee success.
• Be realistic – Don’t expect miracles overnight; it might take a year to be ready for a half marathon and around the same time before you could spar MMA or boxing. It can take years to reach the pinnacle of any sport or discipline and step by step is the best way forward. Talk to a personal trainer about your desires, whatever they may be and they can guide you accordingly.
• Sporting injuries – They do happen, especially when you are pushing your limits and should you pull a muscle, avoid any exercise for at least a few days and maybe even seek out a physio, who can set a routine to promote recovery. It can be very frustrating to suffer an injury running up to competition, which is why warming up and down is important.
• Don’t give up – There may be obstacles and things might not go to plan, but with a level of single-mindedness, you can overcome anything. Patience is a virtue and getting to the top of the tree can take a few years and always remember that the man who wins is the man who thinks he can!

You already know how demanding it is to reach a high level of fitness and without a lot of determination and commitment, it won’t happen.