Dave just recently completed the Las Vegas Super Spartan and will be competing in the Spartan Beast this summer.  He’s also participated in Tough Mudder & Warrior Dash so obstacle races are no stranger to him.  Dave shares some training tips to get yourself prepared for an obstacle race challenge.

The Spartan is no ordinary race. You’ll need to lift heavier, run faster, jump higher, and compete smarter than ever before just to survive. Running on the treadmill to train is not going to cut it. If you’re a great runner, hit the gym.  If you’re a gym rat, go outside and run. Strength training mixed with plyometrics would be a great way to get your body ready for a spartan race.

Strength endurance is the biggest factor in a spartan race. You will be faced with running, lifting heavy objects and using upper and lower body strength to get your body over walls. A perfect exercise to get you ready for this race is burpees. If there is a obstacle you don’t complete during the race or skip, you are required to do 30 burpees!

Another tip for those that have already registered for any obstacle race: wear something that you are comfortable in! Throughout the race you will be faced with mud and getting wet. A dri-fit material would be best to wear as it’s obviously more likely to dry quick and also prevent any type of chaffing which would be very uncomfortable as you try to complete the challenging course!  Also, wear older sneakers you won’t mind ditching after the race.

Spartan is a series of obstacle races of varying distance and difficulty including the the Spartan Sprint (3+ miles of obstacle racing, 20+ obstacles), the Super Spartan (8+ miles, 25+ obstacles), the Spartan Beast (13+ miles, 30+ obstacles), and the Ultra Beast (26+ miles, 60+ obstacles – one of two marathon obstacle courses along with Mudderthon).

Interested in giving Spartan Race or another obstacle race a try?

Join Team Sculpt on the course this spring & summer.

Be sure to follow @livesculpted on Instagram & Sculpt Fitness on Facebook so you don’t miss out on any of our other blog posts! Visit us in Farmington, CT.  If you mention this blog post Dave will give you a free consultation on how to #livesculpted