Unexpected Workouts Of NFL Players

It's no secret that athletes crosstrain for their sports in various ways. To stay dynamic it's important to work different muscles to challenge your body. Professional football players engage in an incredibly strenuous sport that demands immense stamina, quick instincts, coordination and speed. But they wouldn't get through it without some of the more unsung activities like swimming and yoga.

With the Super Bowl coming up, we wanted to give some attention to the less conventional ways that certain NFL players get their mojo. Don't be surprised if you see one of these players in your next Pilates class!

• Yoga

  The practice of yoga is great to strengthen your core and build flexibility in addition to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/15/yoga-mental-health-sleep-depression-adhd-schizophrenia_n_2434143.html" target="_hplink">providing other mental health benefits</a>. Naturally, these attributes benefit professional athletes, just like the rest of us. Like <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/06/american-yoga_n_2251360.html" target="_hplink"> millions of Americans</a>, Troy Polamalu of the Philadelphia Eagles <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-9168423" target="_hplink"> embraces the practice</a>. He reportedly eschews weight lifting in favor of yoga. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10596/kevin-boss" target="_hplink">And Kevin Boss</a> of the Kansas City Chiefs, a former Super Bowl champion, has been <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-9168423" target="_hplink">practicing yoga since college</a>. <a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/tonyparrish/2502414/profile" target="_hplink">Tony Parish </a>from the San Fransico 49ers used<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0608/gallery.NFLparrish/content.1.html " target="_hplink"> yoga to help him recover</a> from a broken ankle and fibula. <em>Jonathan Martin of the Miami Dolphins stretches during the rookie minicamp on May 4, 2012 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Florida.</em>

• Mixed Martial Arts

  Martial Arts is an ideal complement to the sometimes brutal nature of football. Combining a mix of strength and speed, Mixed Martial Arts can offer a variety of benefits for football players who must constantly remain agile and quick on the field. Greenbay Packers linebacker, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3070589" target="_hplink">Clay Matthews, practices mixed martial arts </a>with Jay Glazer. The Fox reporter and trainer also <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-08-08/minnesota-vikings-training-camp-allens-mma-training-pays-off" target="_hplink">practices MMA with Jared Allen</a> of the Minnesota Vikings and <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9614/marcedes-lewis" target="_hplink">Marcedes Lewis of the Jacksonville Jaguars</a>. Other notable athletes who trained in Mixed Martial Arts include former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, former Denver Broncos Safety Brian Dawkins,<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0909/mma.nfl.players/content.14.html" target="_hplink"> San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers</a>, and Miami Dolphins safety Donovin Darius. <em>Green Bay Packers defensive end C.J. Wilson stretches as defensive end Jerel Worthy looks on during NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. </em>

• Gymnastics

  If there?s one sport that leaves everyone in awe of the human body, it?s gymnastics. Even though football and gymnastics seem like an unlikely combination, some of the skills required for both sports are more compatible than you?d assume -- especially since it?s not unusual to witness NFL players celebrating a touchdown with a backflip. <a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/anthonyadams/2505588/profile" target="_hplink">Anthony Adams played for the San Fransisco 49ers</a>, The Chicago Bears, and then decided to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/01/anthony-adams-nfl-gymnastics-2016-olympics_n_1928503.html" target="_hplink">try out for the Olympics in 2016!</a> New York Giants defensive end, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/magazine/jason-pierre-paul-the-late-blooming-defensive-wunderkind.html?pagewanted=all" target="_hplink">Jason Pierre-Paul, left an impression with his floor exercise</a>, as his height makes him an unusual candidate for the event. <em>David Wilson of the New York Giants celebrates his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns by doing a backflip during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 7, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. </em>

• Pilates

  Pilates helps to build muscle while still encouraging flexibility. It's an excellent <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-mcgee/pilates-exercises_b_1575418.html" target="_hplink">core workout that tones and strengthens</a>.This exercise could benefit fitness-inclined individuals and athletes alike. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/sports/football/kris-jenkinss-view-of-life-in-the-nfl-trenches.html?pagewanted=all" target="_hplink">Kris Jenkins of the New York Jets</a> found pilates especially helpful to recover from the injuries he acquired from his career. He spends much of his time now illuminating the public with the true brutality of his former profession. <em>New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning stretches after physical evaluations on opening day of NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, July 26, 2012. </em>

• Swimming

  <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/Benefits-Swimming-25002811" target="_hplink">Swimming is great workout</a> that with minimal impact creates many aerobic benefits. It?s also easy on the joints, which for an athlete who spends his time getting tackled makes a great difference. Clevland Browns Wide Receiver <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82aca804/article/nfl-olympics-josh-cribbs-could-rekindle-swimming-career" target="_hplink">Josh Cribbs was an excellent swimmer</a> in high school, but switched to football in college. At least he knows the benefits of an aquatic workout. <em>T.J. Lang #70 of the Green Bay Packers pours Gatorade on head coach Mike McCarthy after winning Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. </em>

• Dancing

  Hall of famer <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2005/08/big_men_stretching.single.html" target="_hplink">Lynn Swann was known for practicing ballet</a> in addition to jazz and tap and managed to kick butt at being a wide receiver too. And <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/seven-super-bowl-players-were-dancing-stars-011500085--nfl.html" target="_hplink">Dancing With The Stars has hosted former Superbowl players</a> like Hines Ward and Jerry Rice! <em>Green Bay Packers' Ryan Pickett stretches with Justin Harrell and Ronald Talley during NFL football training camp Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010, in Green Bay, Wis. </em>

Earlier on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/03/unexpected-workouts-nfl-players_n_2602289.html

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