This CrossFit Athlete’s Secret to Staying Fit
We interviewed Elite Provider™, Drew Cuiffo, who is a ranking CrossFit athlete.
CrossFit is a physically demanding and challenging sport that combines different fitness disciplines like gymnastics, weightlifting, and intense interval training.
Want to learn how Drew stays on top of his physical health and mindset to conquer his athletic goals?
Then keep reading.
Q: Can you share some of your key strategies for maintaining good health while training as an athlete?
A: My main strategy for maintaining my health while training is to prioritize virtuous movement and load management. I focus on moving with good technique through full ranges of motion before I add load or speed. This involves a warmup with mobility targeted toward the focus of the day’s workout. If something isn’t feeling right or safe for that day, I will modify it so that I’m not loading up poor-quality movements.
Q: What role does rest and recovery play in your training regimen and how do you prioritize it?
A: We work out for the opportunity to recover. We don’t get stronger when we work out. In fact, we get weaker. We get better when we’re resting through a process called super compensation. My main strategy for recovery is sleep and nutrition, but I always get any physical issues managed by a chiropractor who [provides] Active Release Techniques® (ART®) [treatment]. ART [treatment] is essential to keep me feeling put together right.
Q: How do you stay motivated and focused on your training and health goals throughout the year?
A: I find it easy to stay motivated, as health and fitness are a part of my core identity. I don’t miss workouts. Focusing on my fitness helps me be a better clinician by improving my flexibility, stamina, and mental clarity so I can show up at my best for my patients. It is also my primary form of stress relief and self-care. I am training for the CrossFit Open and a qualifier for a larger in-person competition in January.
Being an athlete pushes boundaries and improves your strength, endurance, and overall fitness, so it is crucial to prioritize your physical health.
Do you have any tips you would like to share that help you stay in top shape for your sport?
Let us know in the comments.