by Patrick Mahomes’ Summer Training Regimen: How the Super Bowl MVP Gets Ready for Another Season
As the reigning Super Bowl MVP and one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes has established himself as a dominant force on the field. However, maintaining that level of elite performance over an entire 17-game regular season and beyond requires tremendous preparation in the offseason. While Mahomes enjoys some down time with his family and friends during the summer, he dedicates most of his time to an intensive training regimen focused on improving his physical conditioning, football skills, mental acuity, and more. Here’s a closer look at how Mahomes likely structures his summer workouts to get himself primed and battle-tested for the grind of another NFL campaign.
Physical Conditioning
A major component of Mahomes’ offseason plan revolves around strengthening his body to withstand the physical demands of being an NFL quarterback. While he naturally possesses rare athletic gifts, maximizing his physical tools requires diligent work in the weight room and on the track.
Strength Training: Two to three times per week, Mahomes engages in intense full-body strength training sessions at his local gym or working with personal trainers. The focus is on building upper and lower body muscle mass to generate more velocity and accuracy on his throws while also maintaining durability to take hits in the pocket. Core exercises like planks and medicine ball slams are also emphasized to improve his balance and ability to throw on the run. Multi-joint movements like squats, deadlifts, rows, and presses challenge his entire musculoskeletal system.
Cardio: In addition to weight training, Mahomes prioritizes cardiovascular conditioning with running, cycling, swimming, or other high-intensity interval workouts two to three times per week. This improves his stamina to operate an up-tempo offense for four quarters and scramble to extend plays when the pocket breaks down. Hill sprints and stadium stair runs build leg power and wind tolerance.
Flexibility: Mahomes also dedicates one flexibility session per week to dynamic stretching, foam rolling, and mobility drills. This maintains the fluidity of his throwing motion while reducing injury risk from overuse or compensating poor mechanics. Proper warm-ups and cool-downs are also emphasized.
Football Specific Skills Training
While building his overall fitness, Mahomes simultaneously hones the technical skills required to excel at football’s highest level. He works extensively on honing his throwing mechanics, footwork, and mental processing during skills sessions.
Throwing Mechanics: Two to three times per week, Mahomes works with private quarterback coaches to refine the nuances of his throwing motion. Drills focus on building arm strength for different trajectories and ball speeds, maintaining accuracy under duress, and developing touch passes. Footwork is synchronized to his arm movement. Video analysis provides immediate feedback on any flaws. Offseason 7-on-7 competitions also allow him to test new techniques in a game-like setting.
Footwork: Footwork drills are a major emphasis, practicing pocket footwork, bootlegs, and rollouts. Ladder drills and cones improve his foot quickness, and sled drags build lower body power for evading pass rushers. His footwork must seamlessly coordinate with his eyes and throwing motion.
Film Study: Mahomes watches game film daily, reviewing his performances from the previous season to identify weaknesses while also scouting upcoming opponents. He takes mental notes on defensive tendencies, blitz packages, and coverages to gain an analytical edge.
Mental Preparation
While physical skills are crucial, Mahomes understands the mental rigors of the quarterback position. He spends considerable time sharpening his mental toolbox.
Playbook Review: To keep the complex Chiefs playbook committed to memory, Mahomes reviews concepts and plays either on his own or with coaches. He must visualize alignments, reads, and adjustments for gameday execution.
Team Building: Mahomes attends voluntary mini-camps and practices to build cohesion with teammates through 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s. Communication in the huddle and on the field is critical. He may organize additional passing sessions on his own.
Mental Toughness: Mahomes works on developing an elite mindset through meditation, visualization, and self-talk. He prepares himself to thrive under pressure, overcome adversity, and elevate his teammates when the stakes are highest.
Rest and Recovery
An important yet often overlooked aspect is allowing his body to fully recharge. While maintaining an active lifestyle, Mahomes dedicates adequate time to rest and recover between intense workout phases:
– He ensures 7-10 hours of high-quality sleep per night in a dark, cool environment.
– Active recovery methods like light walks, stretches, foam rolling, and icing help flush out lactic acid and rehabilitate muscles.
– At least one full day of no physical activity per week provides complete rest for his central nervous system.
– He prioritizes nutrition, hydration, and stress management to facilitate the recovery process.
Overtraining can lead to burnout, so finding the right balance is essential for Mahomes to enter training camp fully healed and rejuvenated.
Nutrition and Lifestyle
What Mahomes puts into his body also plays a major role, so he follows a meticulous diet:
– High-quality proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt fuel muscle protein synthesis.
– Complex carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa, and oats provide sustained energy.
– Healthy fats from avocado, olive oil, and salmon support brain function.
– Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables support overall wellness.
– Hydration through water and electrolyte drinks maximizes performance.
– Limited refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed foods are avoided.
– Supplements like protein powder, fish oil, and multivitamins fill nutritional gaps.
– Meal timing is planned around workouts for optimal recovery and growth.
– Stress is managed through relaxation techniques, time with family, and avoiding burnout.
Conclusion
Through diligent strength training, football-specific drills, mental preparation, adequate rest, and a meticulous diet, Patrick Mahomes puts himself in prime position to lead the Chiefs offense to new heights each season. While blessed with rare natural talents, his commitment to continuously improving all facets is what separates him as an elite quarterback. With this well-rounded summer regimen, Mahomes ensures his body and mind are primed for the grueling 17-game regular season ahead while reducing injury risk. His work now will pay massive dividends when the stakes are highest deep into the playoffs. Look for another dominant campaign from the reigning Super Bowl MVP in 2022-23.
