How do elite NFL athletes train during the off-season? If you’re the Cincinnati Bengals, you don’t wait to start your training. You keep your eyes on the prize. From individual sessions to full-team routines, you can enhance your time in the gym with workout tips from the best.
How the Cincinnati Bengals Train During the Off-Season
A.J. Green Lives to Box
Boxing is a fabulous way to get into peak physical shape. Even though it offers cardiovascular training, it blasts your arms, too. Plus, as A.J. Green‘s trainer Ben Creamer explains, it’s low impact — meaning no stress on the knees or back and more fun than riding the elliptical.
Considering the strength of Green’s right jab, this routine will make you a force to reckon with. If you want to emulate his example — but you don’t want to roll into the office with a black eye — give a cardio kickboxing class a try.
Andy Dalton Concentrates on Shoulder Therapy
While his Bengals’ future is still unknown, Andy Dalton still has one of the most grueling routines in the NFL. On top of his diligent work in the weight room and practice field, he has to protect his shoulder mobility. He trains the smaller muscles around his shoulder two to three times weekly, using a customized program developed by his staff. You can find inexpensive fitness bands at retailers everywhere — keep a set under your couch to work in reps during commercial breaks.
The Entire Team Focuses on Leg Strength
A lot of guys hit the weight room to focus on developing a massive upper body. However, on the gridiron, your legs do much of the tackling for you. That’s why the entire Bengals squad trains their quads and hamstrings heavily.
Massive muscles take a beating on the field and in the gym. Players use various foam rollers, bands and lacrosse balls to work knots out of weary tissue. If you have chronic pain, such a roller can work wonders for myofascial release — it’s like giving yourself a massage. Other players get their leg strength from the bike, either stationary or hitting the trails. Since most are equipped to hold up to 300 pounds. of weight, this is a great way to work their quads without being stuck in the gym all day.
Joe Burrow Builds His Scramble
Joe Burrow, up-and-coming talent from LSU, works out hard with former player T.J. Houshmandzadeh to get ready for his first season with the pros. He demonstrates a strong pocket presence and one heck of an ability to scramble and pass. Despite his age, this youngster knows that a significant portion of the game takes place in the mind. He refuses to let negativity impact his performance — an attitude everyone can emulate in and out of the gym. Here’s to hoping we see him in stripes in the fall.
The Cincinnati Bengals have nowhere to go but up. Hopefully, if they hit the training hard in the off-season, we’ll see them make a serious run when the season starts.
