Elite athletes approach their training regimens differently than the average gym-goer. Instead of following a balanced routine that targets all major muscle groups, they focus on enhancing the specific skills essential for achieving peak performance in their respective sports. This is exemplified by speed skating sensation Jordan Stolz, who has tailored his workouts to prioritize lower body strength.
Stolz is unlikely to be found performing bench presses or bicep curls. In a conversation with fitness director Ebenezer Samuel in Italy, prior to the Milano-Cortina Games, he emphasized his unique training approach. "I don't do anything upper body, just because we want to be as light up top as we possibly can," Stolz explained. Speed skating demands athletes to generate enough power to reach speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour while minimizing weight that could create drag.
When discussing the mechanics of speed skating, Stolz noted that during turns, the G-forces produced can lead to lactate buildup, which can hinder sustained high-intensity efforts. "We want to minimize that," he stated, highlighting the importance of optimizing performance.
To enhance his leg strength, Stolz concentrates on his quadriceps and glutes, the driving forces behind his record-breaking speed. "I've done bench press once or twice in the last three years," he remarked, adding that squats are his primary focus. Improving his squat weight is a significant goal for him, as he performs single-leg squats for high repetitions, followed by heavier sets.
In addition to squats, Stolz incorporates a variety of plyometric exercises and dedicates substantial time to cycling, aiming for up to 18 hours of biking weekly to fulfill his cardiovascular training needs.
Much like his pre-race meal, which consists solely of rice, Stolz's training is singularly focused on achieving top-tier performance. This unwavering dedication has propelled him to become a standout figure in speed skating at a remarkably young age, setting the stage for potential Olympic success.
