From Cardio to Weights, Try Sloan’s Attainable Workout Tips at Home
Preparing for the X Games? It’s tricky—and rather extreme. Nobody knows it better than skateboarder Elliot Sloan, who trains on his 18-foot skate ramps right in his own backyard. There’s no better way to go pro than having everything you need just a few feet away, whether that’s skate ramps or workout equipment. Practice sessions on the mega ramps are not for the faint of heart–and certainly not for the faint of body. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn lessons from Sloan’s training regimen to use in your day-to-day routine. From ramp time to rest days, here’s how this athlete stays in tip-top shape for his runs. Skateboarder Elliot Sloan Fitness
Start Your Day off Right
Setting the tone for the entire day, Sloan’s mornings kick off the same way: hydrate, meditate, sauna and stretch. His daily goal of a gallon of water a day gets its start bright and early, followed by meditation. “I practice transcendental meditation, where you aren’t really focused on anything; you’re more so observing your thoughts but not really trying to feed into them,” shares Sloan. He follows up with a relaxing sauna session to loosen up for stretches, and after that, he’s ready to take on the day.
Skateboarder Elliot Sloan Fitness
Keep a Balanced Training Regimen
Sloan switches up his training regime depending on how close he is to an event, noting that weight training and agility training both play a crucial role in skating. “Depending on how close I am to a competition, I work out with weights eight weeks leading up and then four weeks before the contest, I’ll do mostly body weight stuff like isometric holds. I make these holds a little more difficult by holding on to the Foam Competition Soft Plyo Box, made by Tru Grit Fitness.”
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Consistency Is Key
If you want to get good at something, you’re going to have to keep at it. Just as it’s impossible to become a professional skateboarder overnight, consistency works just the same in other areas of life. Committing and sticking with the same routine, workout regimen and meditation practice has been key for Sloan’s health. “I stay consistent with weight-lifting, and I love my sets of the Camo Hex Dumbbells,” says Sloan. “Each pair of these weights features heavy-duty theroplastic rubber heads and a solid steel core that won’t bend or break. They’re durable and oil- and grease-resistant!”
Skateboarder Elliot Sloan Fitness
Keep Up With Cardio
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“Cardio, cardio, cardio…I hate it so much. But, I’ve found that whatever it is you’re trying to do, you need to push yourself beyond whatever the standard is in order for it to become easier. You can lose your cardio fitness in just a couple of days,” he says. “I use the Air Resistance Exercise Grit Bike at home—it kills me, but I love it.” He notes that if he skips his cardio for a week, he sees a noticeable difference in his abilities—and though he’s not a fan of getting himself to the gym, the way he feels afterwards makes it worth it.
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Make Time for Rest and Recovery
Sloan typically tries to take two rest days a week from his skating and workout routine, but as an athlete, it can be tough to get more than one full day. To relieve tension and speed muscle recovery, he recommends immersing in a hot or cold bath. “I use Tru Grit’s Inflatable Ice Bath, which also heats up; I’ve tried a lot of things over the years and both ice and heat help with my muscle recovery, so it’s amazing to have both options.”
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isn’t word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.
Michael Wesley is a San Diego based lifestyle photographer who brings a unique eye for style and color to any project. With travel in 26 countries, a die-hard love for the ocean and an appetite for adventure, this California surfer is always on the hunt for capturing the coastal lifestyle that he is so lucky to live. Check out his work at WWW.BLUEWESLEY.COM
