Want to Look like a Beach Volleyball Player?
When it comes to beach volleyball, there is no more successful duo than Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor! They have won 31 straight sets in Olympic matches, and that includes Monday night’s match against the Czech Republic. Having won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008, the veteran players are hoping for a third gold medal from this year’s London Games. If past performance is any indication, they have nothing to worry about!

In order to perform at 100% for the Olympic Games Kerri Walsh spends countless hours on and off the court to stay in top notch physical condition. Even if you aren’t an Olympic volleyball player, you can at least work out like one! Kerri Walsh has a work out that will spike your heart rate and have you feeling as though you just aced a grueling workout.

Here are few of Kerri’s strength training exercises:

Equipment you’ll need: dumbbells, a medicine ball, a mini-medicine ball, a floor mat, stability ball

How it works: Do 3 sets of 10 reps for each move.
First Exercise: TRUNK ROTATIONS
What does it work?: core and obliques

Lie face up on a mat with your feet off the floor, knees bent and arms extended overhead. For added resistance, hold a medicine ball between your knees and a weighted mini ball in your hands. Rotate from your lower back to drop your knees towards the floor on your left. Return to the center and perform a crunch.

Perform 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.
Second Exercise: SINGLE-LEG DEADLIFTS
What does it work?: lower body and endurance

Stand up straight while keeping your head in line with your spine. Place your left hand on your hip and hold a dumbbell in your right hand. Balance on your left leg and bend forward at the hips lifting your right foot off the floor and extending that leg behind you. Continue bending at the hip until your torso is horizontal to the floor, letting your right arm hang straight down from your right shoulder. Return to your starting position.

Perform 3 sets of 10 reps on each side
Third Exercise: SIDE PLANKS WITH STABILITY BALL
What does it work?: core and rotator cuffs

Perform a side plank on your left side with your left hand on the floor and a stability ball positioned underneath the side of your torso and hip. Stagger your feet so that your left foot is in front of the right. Hold a weighted mini ball in your right hand and extend your right arm out straight in front of you. Slowly raise your right arm until it is even with your body, rotating from your shoulder. Lower your right arm slowly, reaching your right hand down towards your left. Return to your starting position.

Perform 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.

Kerri also talks about her food philosophy:

The greener the better. My husband and I are both professional athletes and we’re parents now, and that’s definitely affected the way we eat and the way we think about food because we want to put the best things in our children. I’ve heard this so many times and it sounds so cheesy, but “feed the rainbow of colors” and you’re doing yourself and your body a lot of good.

Before she competes she says:

I eat a lot of almond butter and honey sandwiches throughout the day, because that keeps me satisfied. I can just shove it down and I’m good to go.

Photo courtesy of: Kerri Walsh Twitter