Bobsleigh training program

Chris Fogt, a member of the four-man American bobsled team that will compete in Sochi, Russia, to show us the bobsled workout. Captain Fogt, 30, grew up in Georgia and Utah, and is a soldier athlete who served in Iraq and competed in the last Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I was running track in college at Utah Valley University back in when I was recruited for bobsled. What are the basics of a bobsledding workout? Bobsledding is a very physical sport. It requires a lot of speed and power. We lift three to four times a week, we sprint twice a week, and we push the sled out here twice a week.

Does bobsledding require some muscles more than others? So we do a lot of squats, a lot of power cleans, jump squats, box jumps, lunges — everything legs. We also do some upper body stuff but more just for fun and for overall body balance. On Mondays we do the heavier, slower lifts, like squats, lunges, and bench press. On Wednesdays we do jumps, cleans and the more explosive lifts. And then we race Friday and Saturday. Are there exercises that all bobsledders have to do?

Every athlete has their own program, but a few of the constants will be power cleans, squats, jumps, and deadlifts. Those are the lifts that build the most strength and power. If you have huge massive shoulders and a big chest, the wind is hitting you and the sled is slowing down. We want to be strong but lean and mean. Along with a base strength level, a bobsleigh athlete must have sprinter like speed.

When a sled gets moving down the hill it can be reaching speeds of around 30mph by the time the athletes load. Therefore, sprint training can often take up the bulk of an athletes training time. It is relatively easy to increase strength, as the methods for doing so are well versed and gyms are easy to access.

Therefore, a more tailored, concerted, and ultimately time-consuming approach is required. Regardless, maintaining a fast set of legs that can keep up and keep contributing to the sled is imperative to training for bobsleigh, complimenting the gym strength a typical bobsledder will be able to run under 11 seconds for m with many athletes coming from sprinting and being at or below the 10 second barrier.

Conditioning is also key for bobsleigh. There is a weight limit for an entire sled and its athletes. Learn about our Learn to Slide programs at the Whistler Sliding Centre, high performance pathway and accommodation options! This important role assists aspiring athletes on their journey to the podium David McColm.

Bobsleigh Sport Programs. Check out our program options for bobsleigh below! Bobsleigh Progression Camps Youth and adults ages 16 and up who have successfully completed a Bobsleigh Foundation School or equivalent , or who are brakemen and want to progress further in the sport of bobsleigh can participate in the Bobsleigh Progression Camps.