Be like Beckham
Still one of the most famous soccer players in the world, David Beckham started his senior career in Manchester United in 1992. Since then, he captained England’s national team and played in two World Cups, as well as for the American pro soccer team LA Galaxy. On top of that, he’s also known as a style icon for men and is a sought-after model.
How does he maintain his signature abs through diet and exercise? Read on and learn how to apply the same principles to your workout for a lean and well-toned look!
David Beckham’s Workout
Beckham’s workout relies on three key pillars (no surprise here):
- Strength training
- Cardio/endurance training
- Sports nutrition
Strength training
Focus on compound movements that involve many muscle groups at once and burn off a lot of calories. This means no bodybuilding style training and pumping muscles just for show. Instead, focus on these basic moves:
- Squat
- Deadlift
- Bench press
- Bent over rows
- Standing barbell curl
- Shoulder press
Choose lighter weights and a higher rep range. This builds muscle endurance.
Soccer-specific endurance and skill training
Soccer players often complete circuits focused on improving their muscular endurance, explosiveness and in-game skills.
Circuits can include shuttle runs, jumping jacks, knee kicks, and jogging. There’s a lot of ab work and upper body conditioning thrown in the mix (crunches, leg raises push-ups). Check out our circuit training articles for more on this type of workouts!
Soccer players also have to take extra care of their joints and keep them both strong and flexible to avoid injury. Mobility work and warmups are key here, but diet and supplements also help a lot.
To keep your joints healthy, try these supplements:
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
We cannot help you with looks and style, but for fitness, endurance and strength, this should get you on track to have a Beckham Body.
David Beckham’s Diet
Keep your metabolism fast to burn fat. Always eat a balanced diet – leafy greens, healthy fats, low GI vegetables, lean meats, and fish. Avoid sugar, white bread, pasta, and junk food.