Spanish pole vaulting champion Clara Fernández is one of the most impressive athletes competing right now, and she trains incredibly hard to be a winner. Fernández shared pictures of herself wearing a swimsuit on her social media, and it’s clear from the post that building and maintaining muscle is something she has done for years. But how exactly does she train? Here are the exercises Fernández swears by for strength, speed, and agility.
1. She’s a Runner
Fernández’s training includes plenty of running—including long-distance running. "Any type of aerobic exercise has a positive effect on the heart," says Dr. Dan Meyer, chief of cardiac transplantation at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas. "Running is such an efficient mode of exercise. It can be relaxing and a stress reliever at times. I find it having as much emotional benefits as physical."
2. She’s Also a Swimmer
Fernández’s athletic background includes swimming, which is a great full-body workout. “Swimming works the heart and lungs,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “This trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently, which is generally reflected in declines in the resting heart rate and breathing rate. It uses the arms, the legs, and other muscle groups in between. This improves muscle strength and flexibility.”
3. She Cycles
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Cycling is another major part of Fernández’s background and training. “Cycling is one of the healthiest and low-impact forms of exercise - meaning it causes less strain and injuries than most other workouts,” say the experts at the University of Montana. “So it's a hobby you can continue to enjoy throughout your long life. And, unlike other forms of exercise, you won't dread doing it. Even if you take cycling seriously and go at it hard, the blood pumping and wind in your face is still exhilarating, even when it's difficult.”
4. Triathlon Star
Fernández takes part in triathlons (seriously, is there anything she can’t do?). Training is crucial for anyone wanting to take part in a triathlon, experts say. “Triathletes can suffer injuries from the compound effect of adding too much training without proper care and guidance,” says Gautam Yagnik, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute at Baptist Health South Florida. “Cross-conditioning is important and a key training element for triathletes, but proper preparation, stretching, hydration, periods of rest and other precautions should be taken to avoid overuse injuries.”
5. Dog Lover
Fernández loves animals, especially dogs, which are known to have health benefits for their owners. “An extensive number of studies in a wide range of journals and disciplines support that interactions with pets contribute to good health and quality of life and healing from serious illnesses and conditions,” says Dr. Maria Iliopoulou, an alumna of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. “Pets can influence our emotional state, our sense of security and acceptance, and even our positive outlook on life.”
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Clara Fernández/Instagram
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