Competitive Diving Tips For Fitness

Athletic grace under pressure defines the finesse, strength and agility competitive diving calls for as you will see in these competitive diving tips for fitness. Executing competitive diving moves means learning technical diving moves and performing them with effortless grace as well as speed. Professional divers train an average of twenty to 30 hours per week. They execute exercises and stretching techniques to continually improve their bodies and perform the air dance that often leaves audiences breathless.

1. Warm up. Engage in warm-up exercises wearing clothing such as a t-shirt and shorts and a good pair of athletic shoes. Wear shorts with no pockets to prevent any hand injuries while warming up. Do drills such as medicine-ball warm ups, lifting three to fifteen pound dumbbells, jumping rope or using resistance bands. Your warm-up should last about twenty to 30 minutes.
2. Practice proper nutrition. If you are a diver who skips breakfast because you don't like the discomfort food causes while working out, try substituting your meal with a smoothie rich in carbohydrates, low-fat milk or juice.
3. Exercise. Incorporate leg lifts, sit ups, squats, calf raises, leg presses and abdominal strengthening exercises in your daily workout.
4. Build strength. Utilize either free weights or a weight-lift system to build strength. Start small, progressing in weight poundage as you become stronger. Lift weights every other day, or three days a week. Lifting every other day gives your muscles a chance to rest and better resist muscle strain. Triceps, lats and chest building will aid with building strength for your diving entry.
5. Practice. According to Athlete's Edge, elite divers' morning and afternoon training sessions lasts two to three hours on most days. Incorporate practicing new diving skills along with your daily training routine.