Both Mat and I don’t shy away from exercise - Mat’s a keen cyclist and I just completed Tough Mudder - but I wouldn’t say either of us are ‘athletes’. So, when Nike contacted us this week about a trip to Wembley for a training session with players from the NFL and English Premier League, I was intrigued and slightly worried.
Intrigued, as anything Nike do is usually innovative (plus a trip to the national stadium is always an exciting prospect). Worried, as although I know little about NFL, what I have seen looks very physical indeed!
Now before you turn away to read something else, this isn't about sports. Nike's focus is really on training - how to improve your fitness, stamina, movement, and control. It's all stuff that goes towards making you a better athlete; whether you're just a casual runner or a full on gym nut. The athletes and coaches on show at Wembley, really put us through our paces. A trip to the Wembley changing room to get kitted up in Nike Pro Combat gear, football kit, and a pair of Nike Free Trainer 5.0 was followed by a series of drills out in the driving rain. You know, running around cones, jumping through over hurdles, catching footballs, that kind of thing.
We finished with a 40 yard dash - the time I achieved won't be repeated here - and then the best reward of all: dinner. It was a brilliant, if slightly surreal, way to spend a Tuesday evening. The aches and pains should fade in the next couple of days, the lessons though, I'll definitely take away and apply in my next gym session. - Nik
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