The range of physical skill required for a Tough Mudder is varied, from scaling walls to plunging into ice baths, we have it all. Event day will test not just physical strength, but mental grit, grip strength, endurance, and more. And while many of us still find ourselves socially distanced, avoiding the gym, and far from the physical activities we desire, there are still options can serve as alternatives to conventional activities.
Cross Country Running for Endurance
If the phrase “going for a run” makes you think of hard pavement and makes your knees to ache, you might be inclined to steer away from it. But trail running is something that can lend itself nicely to Tough Mudder training. Challenge yourself with the peaks and valleys you find running on rocky terrain and it will prepare you well for a Tough Mudder course.
Training for a cross-country race could be a great way to prepare, having to run through a local park or hiking trail results in running over more rugged terrain than a smooth trail. Through cross-country training, you can begin to build up the ability to break into a sprint ahead of a sloping climb, which can be a really useful come race day.
Golf for Mental Grit
While gripping a golf club may not be the first thing that comes to mind when finding a sport that can pass the time in place of the intense competition of a Tough Mudder, picking up golf while staying socially distanced, can actually be a benefit.
Golf, which sometimes lacks in physical endurance, makes up tenfold with mental dexterity and a good head game. The best golfers are those that not only play the game well but can handle the thought process involved in playing a solid round of golf. The best golfers have the ability to focus on the task in front of them, tuning out the outside world to accomplish the goal of the game. While away from the gym and Tough Mudder courses, there is plenty of time to set up an indoor golf simulator and work on your game.
Circuit Training for Continued Training
A good gym workout has clear benefits, and having an understanding of circuit training and body conditioning will really be a tremendous help on the ultimate obstacle course. However, you don’t need a gym to get an intense workout. Circuit training can involve sit-ups, box jumps, squats, burpees, and full-body conditioning, most of which requires zero equipment. There are a host of online trainers to guide you through the workouts and home setups to keep in top condition, so you’re ready when Tough Mudder is back in full swing.
So while we’re all hunkered down, social distancing, and staying away from crowds, consider something new to strengthen or skills, or at the very least, your mental game.
[Featured Image Credit: Pixabay]
