By Alex Baran,
Project Weight Loss Staff Writer
December 07, 2009 Matt Leinart plays for Arizona Cardinals, training hard so he won’t disappoint his team. One of the most successful players on USC, he now gives his best on the NFL. What’s his path to a professional football career?
Matt Leinart told Men’s Fitness he’s well aware of the difference between USC and NFL. Back then he “was playing with the best of the best in college;” now he plays “with the best of the best in the pros,” Leinart said.
He does less on the practice field so he lifts weights a little harder to stay in shape, especially because as a quarterback he doesn’t run around as much. He hits hard in the off – season and a lot lighter in the season. Of course, Leinart has it all planned.
Monday and Thursdays he does bench press, dumbbell bench, and chest flies. Bench press can increase strength and size of the chest. Here’s how you can enhance your performance with dumbbell bench press exercises: throughout movement place hips tightly on the bench. Also, try lowering the dumbbells at maximum for a comfortable and efficient stretch. Don’t let dumbbells move back towards your head; they must be above the chest level.
Tuesdays and Fridays Leinart does bi’s, back, and legs. Rows work the lats; a basic row is performed by tipping forward to about 45o and holding the weights down. Pullovers work the triceps, chest, and lats; the high row and turn fly target the upper back among the shoulder blades and the back of the arms. Back extensions exercises target the lower back.
On Wednesdays Leinart skips weightlifting and does cardio and core exercises. You can do adductor stretches, sit-ups, crunches, yoga, and Pilates. All those are core exercises.
He trains four-five days a week. Leinart’s routine is similar to a baseball pitcher’s. “I do a lot of shoulder exercises. As a quarterback, you have to focus on your legs, your core, and your shoulders,” he said.
The secret to achieve your goals is to work hard and be conscientious. Matt Leinart is a pro athlete and he still works hard to stay like that, but it’s worth it.
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Project Weight Loss. All rights reserved.
