There are Two Types of Racers

Joel Younkins

Physical Performance Coach

There are racers who train...

And then there are racers who don't train...

I know, super biased to break down racers into these two categories :)

But it's honestly, from my vantage point, it's so true!

Let's discuss those who don't train first.

Racers Who DON'T Train

These are racers who either don't care to train because they're just happy to ride and race their dirt bike, or they didn't get into riding/racing to also have to train off of the bike for it. They're just happy to shake off the first four or five tough rides of the season until they work out the arm pump and get past the body shock of stressing your body on the bike. 

I honestly have zero ill will towards these people at all. You think I may because I know what they're all leaving on the table, but it's totally cool if that's their choice. I have many friends who are all really good riders, and they know exactly what I do, who I work with, and they're just not ever going to work on their fitness aside from seat time. I hold nothing against them for that.

There's also another sub-group of racers who are really good, they race for money as pros, and they still don't train. Maybe they say they train because they go to Planet Fitness a couple times in the off season, took a couple mirror pics, and said "they're grinding." These are also the same people who share memes and promo videos of moto being the most physically demanding sport but yet barely do anything to physically prepare themselves. Kind of ironic huh?...

But these racers aren't who I am here for... and that's okay, I'm not for everyone nor have I ever been...

Racers Who DO Train

Now we're talking!

These are my people. The racers who want more. They not only get their suspension done and get their bike set up right for themselves, but they also are committed to getting their bodies set up right too! They work out (or try/want to), they actually practice and maybe have a riding coach or hit up riding classes to sharpen their skills. They're in it to win it (whatever winning looks like to them)!

I have a small little feeling that if you're still reading this right now, you're either that racer, or maybe you have a kid who is that racer...

This group also has two sub groups too. I know, very complex stuff right?!

Sub Group 1: These racers train on their own. They dabble in different programs, they have tried various styles of training, and when they workout they GO HARD IN THE PAINT! These racers usually over do it. They use a fully automatic machine gun to hit the can off of the post. They treat their workouts like they treat their riding, WIDE OPEN! They throw everything they got at it until they get wore and tired and then are forced to stop training. When they stop, their performance usually improves on the track.  I love getting these racers and showing them that they only need a good scope and riffle and only one shot to knock that same can off of the post. Training for them gets better, and more importantly so does their riding!

Sub Group 2: These are the racers who want to be training, or at least know they should be training. The challenge for them is that they don't know where and how to start. They don't really know what to do, they're maybe not naturally comfortable with training, and they don't want to waste their time guessing their way along. So they just wait until they find something that they can buy in to. These racers are also great to start with because once they found their fit, they can mentally relax and just focus on working...and wait for it..."trusting the process." They found their solution to their problem and they just do what their coach tells them to do and everything works just the way it should!

So which racer are you?

And then...

Which sub group are you?