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The 2024 Paris Olympic games have begun, and while we are enjoying seeing their talents across many different sports, it is important to recognize that they would not be where they are without having serious training. Most Olympic athletes have been playing their respective sport for their entire lives, they have spent many hours practicing and training to become the best in the world at their sport. Two of the sports that require the most training include swimming and track. Have you ever wondered how much training these athletes train and if you could endure it?

According to the official Paris Olympics website, Norwegian runner, and world record holder Karsten Worholm for the 400-meter hurdles. Worholm trains with easy days and hard days, but for his hard days he warms up by jumping a set of 21 stairs, only permitting himself to three jumps. He then proceeds to run 30 sets of 60-meter sprints, followed by 10 sets of nine hurdles sprints before ending his workout in the weightroom. For those who are interested in attempting this workout, the good news is you can do most of these workouts anywhere. Fitness Unlimited, Athletic Edge and the ECU Health Beaufort Wellness Center are options in Washington.

For those not as interested in running track, there is also a lot of training that goes into Olympic swimming. Bob Bowman, former swimming coach of Olympic icon Micheal Phelps, revealed Phelps’s training routine. According to the official Paris Olympics website, Phelps trained by swimming 13 kilometers (about 8.08 mi) per day, six to seven days a week. Phelps would spend five to six hours a day in the pool, followed by weight training three times a week. Phelps also made it a priority to recover, he would consistently take ice baths, stretch plentifully, get massages, and get good sleep. For those who are interested in attempting this workout, you could swim at Washington Yacht and Country Club, or the Moore Aquatic Center followed by a visit to a local gym to hit the weightroom.

While these workouts are very intense and require a lot of time and effort, it is all part of what makes the athletes so special. The athletes participating in the Olympic Games have spent countless hours honing their skills to show off to the world.