Fitness
How top athletes define fitness: unlocking the secrets behind performance
Explore the training secrets of top athletes, from intense cardio to strength routines and see how they reach peak performance in their respective sports.
Fitness takes many forms, each shaped by the unique demands of different sports and goals. Professional athletes from various disciplines illustrate how fitness is defined differently depending on the needs of their sport.
Despite these differences, what unites them is the drive to be as fit as possible, with their specific definition of fitness influenced by their performance requirements. From pole vaulting to skateboarding to MotoGP™, top athletes reveal that fitness is more than just physical – it's a balance of speed, strength, mental resilience and versatility.
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Mondo Duplantis: mastering speed, technique and precision
Armand Duplantis is determined to become fitter day after day
© Adam Klingeteg / Red Bull Content Pool
Pole vaulting is certainly the most technical and complex sports out there and Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis is its undisputed master. His training exemplifies how fitness isn't about excelling in just one area, but mastering multiple disciplines. As Duplantis puts it, to be a top pole vaulter, you need to be "a sprinter, a long jumper and a gymnast."
His focus on sprint training several times a week is a crucial component of his approach. Speed on the runway is essential, so Duplantis trains like a sprinter to gain that edge. In a dramatic showdown, he even outsprinted the 400m specialist Karsten Warholm. Yet, it's not just about raw speed for Duplantis – his technical work is just as vital to be the fittest he can be.
Despite already being at the top of his game, Duplantis constantly refines his technique to raise the bar higher. His fitness regimen is a delicate balance of agility, strength and precision, showing that even at the pinnacle of success, there's always room for improvement.
Letícia Bufoni: building strength for longevity in skateboarding
Skateboarders might not be the first athletes that come to mind when thinking about gym workouts, but Letícia Bufoni proves that strength training is crucial for her sport. Bufoni is no stranger to the gym, frequently sharing her intense workouts on social media, which include exercises like lateral pull-downs, overhead presses and hanging ab crunches. For Bufoni, gym work is about building both physical and mental strength.
Letícia Bufoni uses training to her skating harder for longer
© Hannes Mautner/Red Bull Content Pool
"Skateboarding is so hard on your body," Bufoni says, acknowledging that while fitness training doesn’t necessarily make her ollie higher, it allows her to skate longer, learn more tricks and recover faster from the constant impacts of the sport.
Fitness for Bufoni isn't just about the immediate gains – it’s about durability and staying at the top of her game without succumbing to injury. Her story highlights how fitness plays a role in injury prevention and overall career longevity, especially in high-impact sports.
Marc Márquez: cross-training to keep it fun and effective
MotoGP™ star Marc Márquez proves that fitness isn't just about physical endurance, but also about staying mentally fresh. In his off-season training, Márquez prioritises variety to keep things exciting. "Avoid routine and have fun" is his mantra, reflecting his belief that when training becomes repetitive, both the body and mind disengage.
Marc Márquez prioritises fun and variety in his training to help him win
© Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool
Márquez's fitness routine is a blend of cycling, running, off-road motorcycle training and gym work, offering a cross-training approach that helps him maintain a well-rounded level of fitness. This variety ensures that no single area of his fitness suffers, whether it's cardiovascular endurance or muscle strength. His emphasis on fun and versatility serves as a reminder that fitness doesn't have to be monotonous. The key to longevity in any sport – or even in daily life – is keeping the body and mind engaged with different activities.
Laura Horváth: the all-around fitness powerhouse
Strength training is a popular aspect of the fitness spectrum
© Balazs Palfi/Red Bull Content Pool
As the 2023 'Fittest Woman on Earth' after her triumph at the CrossFit Games, Laura Horváth represents the pinnacle of competitive fitness. Her training regimen spans a wide range of activities, from high-intensity track sessions to swimming with triathletes and elite-level weightlifting. Horváth's week includes two to three training sessions per day, six days a week, balancing endurance, strength and mobility work.
Fitness has a multitude of physical and mental benefits for everyone
© Leo Rosas/Red Bull Content Pool
But what sets Horváth apart is her mental toughness. "It’s not just what your body can do, but also what your mind can do," she says, emphasising that physical strength alone won’t get you through the rigours of competition. Horváth's approach shows that fitness is not just about what happens in the gym – it’s about recovery, nutrition and mindset.
Her dedication to recovery and mobility work, like stretching and rest, is proof that even at the highest level of fitness, downtime is essential to performance. Horváth’s holistic view ties fitness back to balance – pushing the limits while knowing when to recover.
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Key fitness terms and concepts
Working out at home is a great option for those with limited time
© Robert Snow/Red Bull Content Pool
To avoid getting completely lost in the fitness world, a little glossary can be quite helpful. Here are some frequently used fitness terms and what they mean.
- Reps (repetitions): This refers to the repetition of an exercise in a set. So, 10 reps of squats is simply 10 squats.
- Sets: These are a series of reps performed with rest. Two sets of 10 squats can therefore also be described 10 squats performed two times.
- Squat: Ta strength exercise that targets the muscles of the legs and core, involving bending the knees and lowering the hips while keeping the back straight. There are various squat variations in fitness training, including bodyweight squats, goblet squats, and barbell squats, each targeting different muscle groups and adding unique challenges.
- Plank: A plank is a core-strengthening exercise where an individual holds a push-up position, balancing on the forearms and toes while keeping the body straight. Variations include side planks, forearm planks, and plank jacks, each targeting different core muscles and enhancing stability.
- Burpee: A burpee is a full-body exercise that combines a squat, push-up, and jump in a fluid movement. It begins with a squat, transitions into a plank for a push-up, and finishes with an explosive jump back to the starting position. Variations include half burpees and burpee tucks, which can adjust the intensity and focus of the workout.
- Cardio: Cardio training, or cardiovascular exercise, refers to any activity that elevates the heart rate and increases blood circulation to improve the efficiency of the heart and lungs. Common examples include running, cycling, swimming, and dancing, all aimed at enhancing endurance and overall cardiovascular health. Cardio training can also include circuit training, which combines various exercises performed in sequence with minimal rest in between.
Is fitness a sport?
HYROX combines 1km runs...
© Jon Ho/Red Bull Content Pool
...with 8 different exercise stations like Wall Balls
© Jon Ho/Red Bull Content Pool
Fitness is not considered a sport in itself; rather, it encompasses various activities and training methods aimed at improving overall health and physical performance. While specific fitness competitions, like HYROX, blend elements of fitness and sport, the broader concept of fitness focuses on individual health and well-being rather than organised competitive play.