Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Northern Diamonds stars share their top tips to staying fit this Get Fit Month with Kukri Sports.
Gain valuable insights from experienced players including Dawid Malan, Shan Masood, and Lauren Winfield-Hill as we explore essential fitness elements: consistency, sleep, nutrition, and mindset, highlighting their importance in your fitness journey.
Nutrition: fuelling your body for success
Nutrition plays a vital role in athletic performance. A well-balanced diet ensures sustained energy levels necessary for games, competitions and workouts, and also allows you to recover properly after exercise.
Dawid Malan insisted that maintaining a healthy diet and staying active have been vital for peak performance in his career. “”Trying to eat as healthy as you can and getting into the gym as often as you can, just staying active at every opportunity is crucial.”
Malan’s teammate, Shan Masood, highlighted the significance of balance in nutrition. “Nutrition has been one of the biggest changes in my life,” he explained. “Everyone needs a balance; you can’t just go one way 100% and not eat something that you like.
“I try to keep an 80-20 rule, I eat well 80% of the time and then 20% I allow myself to cheat a bit and enjoy myself.”
Sleep: maximising recovery and performance
Quality sleep is essential for athletes to recover and perform at their best, playing a key role in metabolism, the growth and repair of muscle tissues.
Masood underscored the importance of adequate rest for all athletes. “I would say sleep is the number one factor in fitness,” he states. “As you get older, you realise how important that is in terms of performance.”
“Getting a good night sleep is so underrated, in terms of how you feel and how you attack the next day too,” said Lauren Winfield-Hill.
Mindset: cultivating mental resilience
A strong mindset is essential for overcoming challenges and staying focused on fitness goals. Mindset plays a critical role in determining your level of motivation and commitment, providing you with the mental strength to push through challenges, maintain consistency and stay on track towards your goals.
Winfield-Hill stressed the importance of mindset in achieving success. “Don’t rely on motivation, rely on a good plan and discipline. I think motivation is like you are depending on factors, for me it’s about prioritising and getting it done.
“It’s important to have a plan, such as planning your week out with different exercises on certain days, rather than relying on that moment or feeling that you want to do it.”
Embarking on a fitness journey might seem intimidating, yet with the guidance of expert tips from these leading professionals, you can progress towards your goals, one step at a time.
Player profiles:
Dawid Malan: Renowned as a standout figure in international cricket, Dawid Malan has left an indelible mark on the sport with his exceptional batting prowess, including being ranked as the world’s number one T20 batter in September 2020. Find out more about Malan here.
Shan Masood: Currently serving as Pakistan’s Test Captain, Shan Masood brings invaluable experience to Yorkshire CCC, delivering pivotal runs and steering them to significant victories over recent years. Find out more about Masood here.
Lauren Winfield-Hill: Lauren Winfield-Hill, a standout in English cricket, has achieved notable victories in the Hundred and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. With over 100 appearances for England and a record of championship wins, she remains a formidable force in the sport. Find out more about Winfield-Hill here.
Upcoming Action
Both teams are geared up for T20 action in their new shirts, with Yorkshire CCC starting their campaign against Worcestershire on May 30, and Northern Diamonds against Lancashire Thunder on May 19 in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Take a closer look at the new Yorkshire CCC and Northern Diamonds T20 shirts.
Kukri have been partnered with Yorkshire CCC for two years as the club’s official kit and training wear supplier.
We extend our best wishes to both teams for a successful cricket season. Find out more about Yorkshire CCC here.
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