Before athletes can compete with each other, they need to attain a specific level of conditioning. Athletes, fitness, and sports freaks have to take care of their emotional, physical, and mental well-being. It regulates their bodies’ energy levels and prepares them to take on a task. The conditioning level depends on two factors, the person and the task. People tend to go through all sorts of levels before they hit optimal performance. From grunting and trying out push-ups, to calming yourself down and meditating, to breathing slowly prior to the task, everyone may have a different approach when it comes to finding their optimal level, a level that you desire to achieve.
The primary factor behind reaching optimal performance is ensuring you choose the right method and something that works best for you and your body. Your optimal performance zone is a green zone, a place you would mentally prefer to be, having the right state of mind.
It is crucial that you deal with self-awareness as the first step to preparing yourself mentally. Understanding the different levels of conditioning and learning from your worst, average, and ideal performances will bring more clarity. This way, you learn the differences between these levels, allowing you to stay in your green zone.
The different levels of conditioning
Signs you may be under-conditioned (yellow zone):
- Laziness and lethargy
- Easily bored
- Forgetful and inattentive
- Minimal energy
- Ignorant attitude
- Slow reaction
- Sensing heaviness over muscles
This zone is something you need to avoid as much as possible. It can drain your energy levels and result in mediocre performance.
Signs you may be over-conditioning (red zone)
- You have anxiety or are stressed out
- Extremely frustrated
- No self-control
- Palpitation and rising heart rate
- Sweating
- Getting distracted by the wrong or negative things in life
- Bad thoughts with oneself
- Hyperactivity
- Tightening of muscles
Over-conditioning signs are common for those in the red zone. It means you are over-worked with the worst case of performance based on your potential.
Signs you have reached optimal level performance (green zone)
- Prepared to take on any task
- The present state of mind
- Thoughts and actions are in full control
- Regulated, proper breathing
- Relaxed, tension-free muscles
- Positivity
- Focused and self-determined
This is the best zone that you would want to be in. Your energy levels are right where they need to be, At this point, you are well-driven to conquer any challenges, no matter who your opponent may be.
Getting hold of this desired level will give you the right level of conditioning to get into the green zone so you can reach your goals.
It is important that you develop an in-depth understanding of all of the levels and differentiate among them. This will allow you to learn from your mistakes. As a result, you recognize the balance of energy levels you need to reach the best version of yourself while avoiding the red and yellow zone.