How the Lovatos Fit Yoga into Their Training Schedule Due to the intensity and time constraint of training for Ironman races, the Lovatos are only able to take traditional yoga classes in November and December, the triathlon off-season. “For us to sit in a 60- or 90-minute yoga session once or twice a week all year long isn’t practical, as much as we like it and as much as it helps us,” Michael says. As their training ramps up in early January, they transition to strength-based yoga—nicknamed “Joega” after instructor Joe Horwat at Flatiron Athletic Club in
Boulder, Colo. The class caters to endurance athletes by focusing on strength, stability and stretching. As the triathlon season begins, Michael and Amanda have to work yoga into their training on a much smaller, day-to-day level. “We switch to a modified style that uses a lot of the key poses that help with opening the hips, balance and stability, which translates really well to triathlon,” Michael says. The Lovatos’ favorite stretches, which they include mid-season after long workouts, include:
PIGEON “It stretches out your glutes and the back side of your hips.”
LUNGES, THE WARRIOR SERIES “It opens up the front of your hips.”
64
triathlete.com
SIDE PLANK “We do these every time we go to the gym.”
BOW “I use a strap because I’m not that flexible.”
september 2010