| "We lost because we didn't win." -Ronaldo (Brazilian | | | | Oguchi Onyewu has an appearance more closely |
| soccer player) | | | | resembling that of a lineman than a soccer star. He is |
| The World Cup is upon us! | | | | a force to be reckoned with and a pillar of the |
| The World Cup is far and away the event I love the | | | | American defense. His physique is muscular to be |
| most. I do not just mean in terms of sporting events, | | | | sure, but it does not have excess bulk. Indeed, given his |
| as it is my favorite event of any kind. The event only | | | | body structure, it is no exaggeration to say that he is |
| takes place every four years, and therefore when the | | | | basically perfectly built. Onyewu's typical regimen |
| time is here, it is really very exciting. The entire globe | | | | includes single-leg squat movements. These can be |
| (with the possible exception of America) puts | | | | done by using a bench or a box for balance and then |
| everything on hold for a month in order to appreciate | | | | squatting until the other foot nearly reaches the floor. |
| the giants of the game. With the World Cup now upon | | | | This is a movement that works all major leg muscles |
| us, I seems to me that it is a perfect time to discuss | | | | and the core as well. Those just starting out ought to |
| the subject of soccer and fitness. | | | | attempt this movement without weights initially. |
| Soccer and fitness truly go hand in hand. | | | | Gooch's regimen includes three sets of 15 repetitions |
| It is no secret that soccer players represent some of | | | | while lifting a pair of 30 pound weights. Indeed...a true |
| the most physically fit people on earth. What is the | | | | powerhouse. |
| reason for that? The strenuous physical training that | | | | Landon Donovan's build is smaller than that of |
| comes with playing soccer is perhaps the toughest of | | | | Onyewu, though he is quite fit and surprisingly speedy. |
| almost any other athletic endeavor. Throughout every | | | | Because he is an offensive player who needs to |
| match, players must engage in sprinting, jumping, sliding, | | | | attack, he is more reliant on developing quickness and |
| kicking and deflecting opponents by engaging both their | | | | the ability to accelerate than a defenseman such as |
| upper and lower bodies. Each of those tasks done | | | | Gooch who needs to be sturdier. Donovan has the |
| alone will result in great physical fitness. Taken | | | | all-time goal and assist records for the American |
| together, however, they produce an amazing physique. | | | | national team and is perhaps the greatest player ever |
| In addition, soccer players must undertake all of those | | | | to hail from the United States. Since he is presently the |
| activities with maximum gusto for an hour and a half. It | | | | face of the American soccer program, he is subjected |
| is entirely typical for a soccer player to traverse the | | | | to lots of stress and pressure while playing, and |
| equivalent of six to eight miles during the course of just | | | | therefore when he is not engaged in a match, filming |
| one game. | | | | promotional spots or making guest appearances on |
| I reached my personal peak of fitness while playing | | | | television, he prefers to kick back at his home in |
| consistent, competitive soccer. | | | | Southern California. Following workout and practice, he |
| Sadly, that was during my middle and high school | | | | likes to relax with his pets, indulge in napping, or take a |
| years, and prior to the time I began weight training. | | | | walk along the shoreline. |
| Therefore, I did not fulfill the physical potential that | | | | The prototypical soccer star is arguably Cristiano |
| would have been possible through a combination of fat | | | | Ronaldo. He is one of the top, if not the absolute |
| blasting efforts and high-intensity cardiovascular and | | | | greatest player on earth, and is also an amazing |
| resistance work. With the third element now in place, I | | | | example of physical fitness. He possesses the precise |
| have achieved the greatest level of fitness in my | | | | sort of physique that I intended to promote. His body |
| entire life. While I am not as involved in playing soccer | | | | features six-pack abs, and is lean, defined and |
| as I was in the past, I have been making an effort to | | | | muscled, while not appearing too bulky. Most women |
| incorporate it a bit more recently. In addition, I eat a | | | | find this physique to be ideal, and therefore it is no |
| much healthier diet than I did in the past. | | | | surprise that he is one of the most loved players both |
| Back in my middle school days, it was not uncommon | | | | on the pitch and away from the game as well. Folks |
| for me to spend five hours daily playing soccer: one | | | | may find some of his strategies to be a bit odd and |
| hour of casual play at lunchtime, two hours spent | | | | perhaps more indicative of his interest in appearance |
| practicing with my school team, and another two hours | | | | over other things. An insider at Real Madrid has said |
| practicing with my club team afterward. Every | | | | that he is known for completing upwards of three |
| weekend, I would play in multiple matches. Now I am | | | | thousand sit ups daily as he watches television. While |
| not able to devote five hours daily to the game, though | | | | engaging in training regimens, he performs ball handling |
| I am involved in a municipal league as well as a league | | | | exercises while wearing foot weights (which may |
| organized through my workplace. Whenever I have an | | | | explain his prowess in outpacing defensemen). |
| opportunity, I also participate in casual pickup games. | | | | The broader soccer world may be unfamiliar with |
| Informal pickup games are a terrific way to remain | | | | Frankie Hejduk, though he is much loved by American |
| active and enjoy yourself. | | | | fans of the game. While not on the 2010 World Cup |
| Pickup games are greatly enjoyable due to a number | | | | team, he has participated in two other World Cups and |
| of things. You don't need to spend money (unless you | | | | has also played in the Olympics twice. Hejduk is |
| hit the bar with your fellow players afterward). You do | | | | famous for his amazing amounts of energy both on |
| not experience stress or pressure. It gives you the | | | | the pitch and off. Even though he is 35 years old, he is |
| opportunity to socialize while engaging in beneficial | | | | still active among the professional ranks and enjoys |
| physical activity. It is my belief that there isn't anyone | | | | himself immensely at all times. The impressive levels of |
| who would not gain by participating in pickup sports | | | | energy and endurance result in large part from the |
| more frequently. You may choose to play something | | | | type of life he leads when away from the game. If he |
| other than soccer. Some of my friends participate in | | | | is not playing soccer, he is likely to be surfing. Indeed, |
| Ulitmate Frisbee, which is also a terrific way to | | | | while in high school, he won a national championship. In |
| increase fitness levels. | | | | addition, he consumes large amounts of coffee daily, |
| I decided that it might be enjoyable to wrap up by | | | | and is a Bob Marley aficionado. This is just further |
| discussing the various workout regimens and lifestyles | | | | evidence that people who play soccer hail from all |
| of my favorite soccer stars (as you might have | | | | types of backgrounds. |
| guessed, I tend to favor American players). | | | | |