Inner Athlete

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 – 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💪
This partner workout is a simple way to make core training more dynamic, challenging, and enjoyable, while adding an external stimulus that requires athletes to react and maintain control.

💡 The core plays an important role in controlling and transferring force between the upper and lower body. Rather than simply keeping the trunk still, a strong core allows athletes to initiate and resist movement when needed, and maintain control of the trunk, hips, and pelvis during different dynamic actions and movement demands.

We often incorporate variations like these with our swimmers at , where controlling the position of the trunk, hips, and legs is crucial for maintaining a streamlined position and efficiently transferring force into propulsion through the water.

🔑 Focus Areas:
• Control the trunk through different planes of movement.
• Develop strength through flexion and extension.
• Improve rotational strength and control.
• Build anti-rotation capacity to resist unwanted movement.
• Maintain control of the hips and pelvis while moving the limbs.
• Improve force transfer between the upper and lower body.

👉 Partner-based core training doesn't need to be complicated. It can be an easy way to add variety to a warm-up, conditioning session, or main training block while developing the trunk control athletes need for sport.

💬 "If you want to better yourself or you want to take your performance to the next level, I think this is really a good environment where you can do that."

Every young athlete's journey is different, but having the right environment can make a lasting difference. With consistent coaching, support, and the opportunity to keep challenging themselves, young athletes can build the confidence and mindset to take their performance to the next level.

🎥 Hear from Euan himself about how the right coaching and training environment have helped him keep pushing towards his goals.

Ready to help your young athlete become stronger, faster and more confident?

Start with our Quick Start Trial, which includes:
✅ An individual movement and performance assessment
✅ A personalised, coached training session
✅ A consultation to review their results and next steps

Book here:
https://inner-athlete.com.au/quick-start-trial

Strength training builds a base- but sport isn’t predictable.

Most gym work is controlled and repetitive, while real performance demands reacting, adapting, and moving in constantly changing environments.

In this episode, we unpack why strength alone isn’t enough, where it falls short, and how to bridge the gap between the gym and game-day performance. 💪

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 & 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 – 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🤝
Physical preparation is an important part of getting athletes ready for the demands of contact sports. Developing the ability to engage the core, hips, and lower body, absorb force, and produce force against an opponent can help athletes become more effective in physical contests while doing so smarter and safer.

💡 Line work is a simple way to introduce these qualities without taking up a lot of training time. These drills can be incorporated into a warm-up before training or on game day, helping athletes prepare both physically and mentally for the contact demands ahead.

🔑 Focus Areas:
• Establish a strong and stable body position.
• Engage the core, hips, and lower body to create a strong base.
• Stay low and push through the ground.
• Learn to absorb and resist external forces.
• Maintain balance and posture during contact.
• Develop confidence and physical awareness.

👉 These drills don't need to be long or complicated. A few minutes of purposeful contact preparation can help athletes switch on physically, prepare for collisions, and improve their ability to compete in physical contests.

💬 "I now have the confidence knowing I'll go onto the court that I'll have strength over my opponent."

For Kate, becoming a stronger athlete has also meant becoming a more confident one. Through the Inner Athlete program, she has developed new skills, grown in confidence, and found enjoyment in training alongside like-minded athletes.

The best environments help young athletes enjoy the process while continuing to grow. When athletes feel supported, encouraged, and challenged, they can develop the confidence to take what they learn in training onto the court and into competition.

🎥 Hear from Kate herself about how the right coaching and training environment have helped her grow as an athlete.

Ready to see what your young athlete is capable of?

Start with our Quick Start Trial, which includes:
✅ An individual movement and performance assessment
✅ A personalised, coached training session
✅ A consultation to review their results and next steps

Book here:
https://inner-athlete.com.au/quick-start-trial

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 🤝💪
Contact and physical preparation training is an important part of preparing athletes for the demands of competition. Whether it's holding position, winning a contest, absorbing contact, or applying force against an opponent, athletes need the strength, stability, and confidence to perform these actions safely and effectively whilst continuing to execute the skill under pressure.

💡 It isn't about teaching athletes to be aggressive, it's about developing the strength, control, confidence, and resilience that allows athletes to compete smarter, protect themselves in physical contests, and transfer their skills into better performance on game day.

🔑 Focus Areas:
• Improve whole-body strength and stability.
• Engage the core, hips, and lower body to create a stable base and maintain posture during contact
• Learn to absorb and produce force against an opponent.
• Develop confidence and competitiveness in physical contests.
• Reduce injury risk by preparing the body for game-like collisions.

👉 Progress by increasing the intensity, unpredictability, or movement demands of the drill, while ensuring athletes maintain good technique and body position throughout.

"I've gotten stronger, and overall my game has gotten better because I'm getting stronger."

For Jordan, becoming stronger through the Inner Athlete program has helped improve his overall performance on the field. As his strength has grown, so has his confidence in his ability to compete and perform at his best.

Every young athlete's journey is different, but consistent training, the right coaching, and a supportive environment can help unlock their full potential. Jordan's story is a reminder that small improvements each week can lead to significant progress over time.

🎥 Hear directly from Jordan about how the right coaching and consistent training have helped him grow as an athlete.

Ready to help your young athlete become stronger, faster and more confident?

Start with our Quick Start Trial, which includes:
✅ An individual movement and performance assessment
✅ A personalised, coached training session
✅ A consultation to review their results and next steps

Book here:
https://inner-athlete.com.au/quick-start-trial

Frustration is part of every athlete's journey. The difference is how you respond to it.

In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, NCAA swimmer Felix de Bruyn shares how he manages the frustration of missed PBs, tough training blocks, and setbacks without letting them derail his progress.

Instead of getting stuck on what went wrong, he focuses on:
• What he can learn
• What he can control
• What he can improve next

For young athletes, that's a skill that lasts far beyond the pool.

For parents, it's a great reminder that resilience isn't built by avoiding frustration—it's built by learning how to work through it.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.