Whether you play soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, or volleyball, it's tempting to take a break from exercising during your offseason. When you're not pulling on your team socks and donning your jersey, it's hard to stay motivated. While you should give yourself a break at the end of each season, don't procrastinate too much on your preseason workouts. If your season is approaching and you need to get ready, here's how to jump into your training like a pro.

1. Get in Shape

If you don't do some conditioning before your first practice, your lungs and legs will feel like death halfway through your sprints. Start exercising regularly at least a month before your season starts so that your body gets accustomed to working hard. Do cardio activities such as running, biking, and swimming five days a week for at least half an hour. For best results, supplement your cardio with strength training three times a week.

Getting in shape also means eating right. As you start your workout program, stop visiting fast-food restaurants, say no to soda, and fill up on fruits and vegetables. Include plenty of lean protein such as chicken, beans, and tofu in your diet to help you build muscle.

2. Set Goals

When you're getting yourself in shape, it's easy to lose all motivation to keep working out. Setting goals is a great way to track your progress and compete with yourself. Make goals for each week, such as the number of miles you're going to run or calories you're going to burn. Set long-distance ones as well, such as being able to lift a certain weight or breaking your mile time.

3. Pick the Right Gear

Without the right gear, you can't perform your best or keep yourself safe. Ask your coach whether the team is ordering custom socks and other gear for the upcoming season. If so, you can jumpstart your season by getting your gear early and breaking it in as you train. 

4. Invest in Camps and Skills Training

You can only do so much by yourself, and sometimes you need the advice and coaching of professionals. Check out sports camps and skills programs near you to hone your abilities during the offseason. Whether you attend an intensive, week-long sleepaway camp or a few hour-long workouts each week, these camps are guaranteed to get you ready for the season.

5. See the Doc

Whenever you make a lifestyle change, it's a good idea to see the doctor and make sure that everything is working properly. Regular physicals are especially important if your family has a history of health issues, but every athlete needs a check-up annually. At your physical, explain to your doctor what your training plan is and ask for his or her approval. Make sure to complete any recommended specialist appointments before your first practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm Active Year-Round?

If you regularly slip on your athletic socks and work out even when you're not in season, you should still prioritize your workouts in the month leading up to your season. Make sure that you haven't gotten sloppy without a coach to call out your mistakes, and shift your mindset from maintaining your strength to improving it.

How Do I Make Time for Exercise?

If you're working full-time or going to school, it's hard to make time for all the exercise you need to complete. Consider getting up earlier than usual for your preseason training; studies suggest that you're better able to perform in the morning. If that doesn't work, split up your workout throughout the day or do your heaviest training on the weekends.

What if I Have My Team Socks From Last Year?

If you have last year's socks, you probably still need new gear for the upcoming season. When you're running down the field or dribbling across the court, you need the highest quality socks to protect your feet and support your ankles. Use your old gear for scrimmages or casual use, and invest in new supplies for game day.

How Do I Stay Motivated?

Sometimes, setting goals isn't enough to keep you motivated. Reach out to your teammates and ask if anyone wants to start a workout accountability program. Even if you're far away from each other, you can send text explanations of your workouts and pictures of when you're all sweaty at the end. Knowing that someone else is working out with you keeps you on track.

How Do I Know If I'm Ready?

It's hard to know if you're ready for your season before it starts, and your first practice is when you find out if you've worked hard enough. However, if you're tracking your progress and seeing continuous improvement, your conditioning and skill drills should be plenty to get you through your opening week.

Get ready for the sports season by committing to serious training with your team socks and other gear from Socks Rock.