Duotone DRIVEN Magazine No.04

AND HOW DO YOU TRAIN? RITA ARNAUS Training method Weights & Yoga How “I work out  3–5 times a week. I love to get creative and diversify my workouts e.g., by combining free weights with machines. Deadlifts and lunges are my favorites for the legs. Also, all kinds of chest presses, shoulder presses, and biceps curls for the upper body, as well as various rowing exercises for the back. I often do a sun salutation after my gym workout or a kite session. When I’m close to competitions or in periods where I need more control and mental stability, I do Yoga every day.” Why “Weightlifting is the most effective way to build strength, increase endurance, and reduce the risk of injuries. The Free- style discipline is very demanding on the body – weightlifting helps me get stronger and take those hard crashes. Yoga not only softens the muscles but also gives them oxygen, increases flexibility, and reduces recovery time. It brings peace to the mind and body. It’s the perfect balance between the adrenaline that I get from weight- lifting and the relaxation that I get from doing Yoga.” Motivation “I live by ‘consistency is the key’. I don’t give up easily, so after working out so hard at the beginning and pushing on each good and bad day, I started to see results, which keeps me going. It also gives me so much mental health; I push my limits a little bit every day and I love the feeling. It boosts endorphins and energy levels, promotes better sleep, and maximizes the mind-body connection.” What’s the best way to train and keep fit as a kiteboarder? Clearly, there is not just one way. We checked with some of our team riders about how they stay fit consistently, why they are convinced it’s the perfect prep for kiting, and how they keep motivated, even on bad days. AARON HADLOW Training method Endurance How “I do full-body exercises without really focusing on one area, usually going to the gym at least 3 days a week. To keep a balance between good body shape and Cardio, I added Cycling to my training, often riding for a longer time, sometimes 1 hour, but often 2 or even up to 4 hours. With all the training, it is still very important to me to take time to rest, have good nutrition, and regain energy.” Why “I do Endurance training mainly for Cardio. Cycling has a low impact on my knees and promotes good muscle build on the legs, which is important for kiting. It also keeps good energy throughout and makes kiting much easier for the time I am on the water. It gives me ample energy to be able to do intense competition without having too much fatigue. I also enjoy mountain biking, I even do a few races. Lastly, I really like to get my fitness up, as a personal goal.” Motivation “Having goals to achieve, like a lead-up to a competition, motivates me. I really focus on being on top of it, ready and prepared as possible. Besides that, it surely is my personal goal to be in good shape, and in everything I do, I like to do 100%.” ANDREA PRINCIPI Training method CrossFit How “I train in CrossFit three times a week. It is a form of high-intensity interval training focusing on strength and conditioning. It incorporates elements from weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, kettlebell lifting, calisthenics, and others. My training varies almost every day. On the other days of the week, I usually do “normal” gym sessions.” Why “CrossFit, for me, is the best training in the world. It’s super intense, I can do cardio and power training at the same time, and it gives me some super explosive power for kitesurfing.” Motivation “I have a personal trainer who trains with me. He’s the man who keeps me motivated and focused at all times. Additionally, I just love to train and keep my body in perfect shape, which by itself brings with it some general motivation.” Photos  Craig Kolesky, Paolo Cristofani, Dave Mody T H E T E A M 1 06 D R I V E N D R I V E N 1 07