The 3 keys to peak performance

You may think that peak performance means you never have to scale back and you’re constantly able to push harder—and harder. That’s not true. The best athletes know how and when to move slowly and when to just hit the “stop” button altogether. 

Here, Blake Shutterly breaks down three keys to see steady progress. Stay tuned for the release of her new concept, PEAK by NEOU.

1. Start slow to go fast.

The number one no-no when it comes to working out is going hard right from the start. Not only does it dramatically increase the risk of injury, but it will also inhibit your ability to perform your best. For high-performance training, Blake says to always prioritize a quality warm-up. “When done correctly, you will have everything primed from the nervous system, muscles, joints, and your mind to take on a workout,” she says. 

2. Tune up your technique.

Once you’re warm and ready to go, the next important thing to remember is good form. According to Blake, bad form can happen when your mobility doesn’t allow you to get into the proper position for an exercise, or you’re unaware of what that feels like. What that means: take your time, move slowly, and notice how it feels to move correctly. If you’re unable to get into a good position or feel the muscles that are supposed to be working, then you may need to scale back to a more simplified version of the movement. No shame in that!

3. Listen to your body.

In order to truly hear what your body is saying, coach Blake says the first step is checking your ego at the door. The next is being self-aware or knowing when enough is enough. There’s a very big difference between pain and discomfort, she says. And when you’re trying to be at your best, it’s counterproductive to push yourself to a point where you’re in pain. For Blake, she uses her joints as an indicator. “I know my joints are happy when I can get into any position and feel good,” she says. Try it: ask your joints how they’re feeling today.