Lists

20 Ways Star Athletes Stay In Shape While Social Distancing

Darren Ryding - September 24, 2023
Lists

20 Ways Star Athletes Stay In Shape While Social Distancing

Darren Ryding - September 24, 2023

In these uncertain times, athletes are somewhat like the rest of us. They’re stuck at home in self-isolation with no idea when they’ll be able to get back to work. However, unlike the rest of us, they can’t just lie on the couch and watch television all day. No, they need to stay in shape so they’re ready to get back into it when the outbreak ends.

However, most professional athletes are rich, so this is a lot bit easier for them. They often have home gyms and coaches sending them detailed fitness programs. Many of them even have home chefs who tailor their diets to their personal requirements. So we’re going to check in on 20 elite athletes and see how they’re staying in shape in the current climate.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

20. Kendrick Nunn

Like many basketball players, the Miami Heat’s Nunn has invested in a bicycle to keep fit. Cardio is one of the quickest things to lose if you don’t keep on top of it. Having a workout bike at home is an easy way to make sure you run some miles and be ready to go when the season restarts.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Nunn is a Rookie of the Year contender and he’ll be desperate for the season to resume. He’s competing against Ja Morant, Zion Williamson and fellow Heat star Tyler Herro for the elusive honor. Only time will tell if he’s able to get his hands on the prize.

Mandatory Credit: Motorshark

19. Angela Ruch

One of just three women in NASCAR today, Ruch is an incredibly popular figure in her sport. She’s the third generation of talent from her family and competes in the Outdoors Truck series. With her combination of skill and good looks, it’s no surprise she’s a fan favorite.

Mandatory Credit: Instagram

That’s also led to a strong online presence, as she has a large Instagram following. As you can see above, she’s posting her daily workouts so that you can follow along too. All you need for most of the exercises is a rubber band. If you only ever buy one piece of workout equipment for home, get one of these.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

18. David Dahl

Dahl is an MLB player on the rise. He got his first All-Star award in 2019 and continued his good form into 2020. But his hopes of ousting Charlie Blackmon as outfielder are on freeze after the outbreak took hold. Despite this, he’s keeping up his spirits and practicing hard.

Dahl has been practicing his swings and guiding his fans through the process. Obviously you need to have space to hit a ball; if you do, then maybe now is the time to get your bat and follow Dahl’s lead. The Colorado Rockies man is definitely making good use of his time.

17. Sean O’Malley

O’Malley is one of the most exciting young UFC fighters out there today. He’s also incredibly fond of marijuana. ‘Suga’ has a strong social media presence and decided to take advantage of his downtime to learn some new training methods. But he took them from the Tony Ferguson playbook.

Ferguson’s eccentric methods are infamous. O’Malley copied the lightweight fighter by completing obstacle courses and hitting pads behind a motorbike. Are they serious? Of course not, but they’re giving us a much-needed laugh in these crazy times.

16. Valerie Loureda

Former Taekwondo champion and current Bellator fighter Loureda is one of the hottest combat sports athletes on the planet. We mean that in both senses of the word because she’s got incredible striking skills and the looks of a model. But she’s been doing her best to keep in shape.

https://twitter.com/valerielouredaa/status/1243288781442166784

Loureda posts regular clips on her social media training by herself or with her sister. They work on bodyweight fitness drills as well as striking combinations. As you can see, her online game is on point. No wonder she has such a dedicated fanbase, because she’s good at everything she does.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

15. Kevin Huerter

We’re living in a golden age of technology. Apps like Zoom have really taken off during the current time. Both small clubs and giant franchises are keeping in touch with their players. Atlanta Hawks star Huerter revealed that his coaches are using tech to coordinate group sessions during isolation.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Huerter specifically uses Facetime to talk to coaches during workouts in his basement. It’s obviously not as good as having them there in real life, but at least they can still keep an eye on what’s happening. Who knows how technology will change training in the future?

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

14. Mike Trout

Angels superstar Trout is as restless as everybody else during the outbreak. Even if you live in a mansion, you don’t want to be stuck indoors all day. The biggest star in baseball is still struggling. With a pregnant wife in the house, he doesn’t want to be annoying her more than necessary. Doing this probably won’t help.

His solution is to work out with fellow Angels Albert Pujols and Michael Kohn, along with trainer Lee Fiocchi. They all keep track of each other’s movements and work out in Pujol’s weight room at his house. It’s nice not to be totally alone during this time.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

13. Katie Taylor

Unified lightweight champion of the world Taylor is as serious an athlete as they come. She’s women’s boxing’s biggest draw right now and for good reason. But she hasn’t let the fame get to her head because she’s still training like a madwoman. In short, she lives and breaths boxing.

She upped sticks from Bray, Ireland and moved to Vernon, Connecticut to train with Ross Enamait. Taylor is in training camp for her fight with Amanda Serrano this July. She has also been posting boxing workout videos shared by fellow Irish fighter Conor McGregor. They’re genuinely very good so check them out.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

12. Nikola Jokic

Jokic is in the same position as the rest of the Denver Nuggets. The master of overtime can’t train with his teammates so instead, they’re getting individual daily workouts on an app. Similarly to several other NBA teams, the Nuggets use Teambuildr. The likes of the Houston Rockets and Detroit Piston are also using it.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Claus Antunes de Souza, the Nuggets’ assistant strength and conditioning coach, says that keeping an athlete motivated in uncertain times is the biggest challenge. Jokic, like the rest of his teammates, can co-ordinate and remain part of the group with this new inventive app.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

11. James Harden

Houston Rockets coaches told Harden to go home while he was on the court practicing his shooting. So now, like the rest of his team, Harden has to train from his house. Unlike many other athletes, it’s difficult to keep track of his movements because he’s deleted his Instagram to focus on basketball.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

But what we do know is that his coach gave him a duffle bag full of kit to train with. Now the man with the best beard in the NBA is working on his skills at home, while also trying to maintain a reasonable level of conditioning. It’s not the same as a group practice, but hey, those are the breaks.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

10. Jonathan Isaac

One player in an interesting situation is Isaac. The Magic forward is currently recovering from a knee injury but obviously can’t follow a regular rehabilitation program at the moment. Because of this, he’s doing a lot of work from home with the online assistance of medical staff.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Isaac revealed to the Washington Post that he’s got a bike and weights at home. Meanwhile, nutritionists are managing his diet, making sure that he’s eating lean meat and fish. It’s not ideal for him but at least there’s no rush back. You’ve got to look at the bright side, right?

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

9. Nolan Arenado

The only infielder to win the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in each of his first seven MLB seasons, Arenado is also a five-time All-Star. A player of his abilities has a lot of natural talents but you still need to practice. Arenado has been doing exactly that with cousin Josh Fuentes.

https://twitter.com/jfuent19/status/1241521574898831360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1241521574898831360&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com%2Fnews%2Fhow-major-league-baseball-players-work-out-at-home

Both men are third basemen for the Colorado Rockies franchise and immensely talented. They’ve been able to work together to maintain their impressive skills. You don’t get moves like those by just sitting on the couch. In short, this is why they’re elite athletes and we’re not.

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

8. Liverpool FC

We’re cheating a little bit by including this one, but once again it shows how technology has literally changed the game. Liverpool is anxiously waiting to see if they’ll get their first title in 30 years. But in the meantime, they’re looking after themselves. Yes, we’re talking about group yoga.

As you can see from the clip above, the squad used Zoom to co-ordinate a group yoga session with amusing results. Each player in the team has their own personally-tailored fitness program to follow as well. As multimillionaires, they all have training facilities in their homes. You can see from the video that their equipment is insane.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

7. Aroldis Chapman

The Cuban Missile has definitely been keeping busy in his downtime. Chapman regularly hits triple digits for the New York Knicks. But he wants to get even higher numbers when MLB resumes. His isolation period has been productive because he is even more jacked than ever.

Mandatory Credit: Instagram

Check out the picture above that he posted on Instagram and look at that arm. Chapman has hit the weights hard. But the big question is whether or not the extra muscle will improve his performance. It’s possible that the opposite will be the case because could be heavier and stiffer.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

6. Sergio Ramos

Spain is one of the worst-affected countries in Europe. Police are literally fining people for leaving their houses for non-essential reasons. Luckily for Real Madrid captain Ramos, he’s got no need to go anywhere. The Spain international soccer star is training from home and has some high-end equipment.

Ramos is well-known for his combative style and intensity on the pitch. The veteran defender continues to maintain his cardio, as you can see above. He’s active online and regularly posts videos of his training footage. He’ll be ready when the season resumes, whenever that is.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

5. Khabib Nurmagamedov

The UFC lightweight champion was training at AKA in San Jose, California when the outbreak began canceling all sports. He’s preparing to fight Tony Ferguson but that fight is under serious threat. First of all, AKA head coach Javier Mendez cleared out the gym so Khabib could train without risk of infection.

Mandatory Credit: Instagram

But after a total lockdown, Khabib went home to his native Dagestan. Even though he’s still training hard in the wilderness, it looks like it’s all going to be in vain. The Russian government closed the country’s borders. Now it looks like all of his training will for nothing. As one of the few active athletes on the planet, that’s a tough break.

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

4. Geraint Thomas

One of the most high-profile cyclists in the world, Thomas has done it all. A two-time Olympic Gold medalist and three-time World Champion, he also won the 2018 Tour de France. Luckily, cycling is one of the easiest sports to replicate in a house, because of exercise bikes and advances in technology.

In particular, the online virtual cycling platform Zwift is very popular. Cyclists can follow real courses on an interactive screen. It also allows amateurs to race alongside the professionals. Of course, nothing can replace the intensity and danger of a real race, but it’s a good substitute.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

3. Timo Meier

Ice hockey is one of the toughest sports to practice in current times. Only a few players have access to shooting facilities and as for ice – well, that’s pretty much out of the question. However, two things they can work on are their conditioning and skills.

Meier demonstrated the latter on his Twitter account. He took part in the toilet roll challenge and demonstrated his abilities. Check out the clip of him balancing the toilet roll on his stick. We’re not sure how that will translate to the ice for the San Jose Sharks man, but hey, it’s worth a go.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

2. Conor McGregor

UFC fighter McGregor is the most famous MMA athlete on the planet. He’s also been working on his fitness with regular videos showing his fast hands. The Irishman has some of the best boxing in his promotion and shows no signs of letting his skills slip as his clips show.

His coaches expect him to return in July or August. However, who he fights is a less certain story. A clash with Justin Gaethje is possible but he could end up taking on either Tony Ferguson or Khabib Nurmagamedov later this year.

https://twitter.com/tylerlauletta/status/1242098110102482950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1242098110102482950&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insider.com%2Flebron-james-posts-intense-instagram-workout-during-coronavirus-stoppage-2020-3

1. LeBron James

James is actually just out of two weeks in self-isolation after two unnamed Lakers players tested positive for coronavirus. However, James hasn’t let it stop him from keeping in shape because he’s been very busy over the past couple of weeks – at least according to his Instagram stories.

https://twitter.com/tylerlauletta/status/1242189754826981381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1242189754826981381&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insider.com%2Flebron-james-posts-intense-instagram-workout-during-coronavirus-stoppage-2020-3

He’s been hitting the weights hard and training like crazy in his home fitness center. Who knows when the NBA will resume, but when it does, James will still be a beast. Other basketball stars are catching up on Netflix and drinking wine, but not the Lakers’ biggest star.

Advertisement