{"id":708,"date":"2021-07-29T20:03:40","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T20:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/see-how-a-team-usa-pole-vaulter-trains-for-the-olympics\/"},"modified":"2021-07-29T20:03:40","modified_gmt":"2021-07-29T20:03:40","slug":"see-how-a-team-usa-pole-vaulter-trains-for-the-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/see-how-a-team-usa-pole-vaulter-trains-for-the-olympics\/","title":{"rendered":"See How a Team USA Pole-Vaulter Trains for the Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"


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We would start by saying Katie Nageotte is a well-grounded athlete, but seeing as she spends most of her time flying through the air, that wouldn\u2019t exactly be accurate.<\/p>\n

This uber-talented Olympic pole-vaulter is taking on her first Olympics this year at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and we have high hopes for her \u2014 as high as she can pole-vault.<\/p>\n

Nageotte\u2019s vaulting career began at Ashland University where she won two NCAA Division II national championships. She clenched a spot on Team USA after crushing a career-best vault at 16 feet, 2.75 inches. Not only is it her personal best, but this height is also officially a U.S. Olympic Team Trials record.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels amazing,\u201d Nageotte says. \u201cI\u2019ve worked really hard to make this happen, and it\u2019s awesome seeing the hard work pay off.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Does She Do It?<\/b><\/h3>\n

As a pole-vaulter, Nageotte focuses on full-body workouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLegs \u2014 as we need to be fast and explosive on the runway and into takeoff,\u201d she explains. \u201cUpper body \u2014 to press the pole up and away from you, and then shoulder strength to help swing upside down faster. Core strength is very important, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few of her go-to exercises include the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nageotte\u2019s favorite lift in the weight room is a good barbell clean. She offers three tips to perfecting the movement:<\/p>\n

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  1. Use your legs. \u201cI used to just muscle it up with my arms,\u201d she explains, \u201cbut that only gets you so far. When you jump into it, you can lift so much more.\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. Keep your core tight.<\/li>\n
  3. Commit to the movement. \u201cSometimes I think it\u2019s going to be too heavy,\u201d she says, \u201cbut if I commit, I\u2019ll surprise myself and get it up.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Because pole vaulting requires the entire body, you\u2019d think there would be a million things rushing through Nageotte\u2019s mind as she arches over the bar. So we asked her what she thinks about while in midair.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHonestly, midair, not much.\u201d she says. \u201cIt happens so fast that you don\u2019t have time to think midair, so I\u2019m thinking about what I\u2019m trying to execute in the run-up and then hope the work I\u2019ve put in and muscle memory will get me over the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Katie Nageotte (C), first, Morgann LeLeux (L), second, and Sandi Morris, third, celebrate after the Women\u2019s Pole Vault Final on day nine of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials. Photo: Steph Chambers\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Food for Thought<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Every Olympic athlete knows how essential proper fuel is when competing. Nageotte notes that she used to be very strict with her diet and was miserable because of it. Now she takes a more relaxed approach.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI just try to be conscious about how and what I\u2019m eating,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

    Nageotte follows a few guidelines:<\/p>\n