5 Defining Aspects of High Performance Athletes You Can Learn From
Reading time: 5 minutes
This article is written by Darren Cuomo, WAIS High Performance Scholarship Athlete and Australian Wheelchair Rugby Player.
At some point in life, most of us have participated in or experienced sports and performance, whether it was kicking a ball, lifting a weight, or swimming laps. A smaller subset of us have even dreamed of being a professional athlete, competing in the Olympics, or simply being the best version of ourselves.
What separates these goals from being mere pipe dreams is our commitment to high performance, taking what we do and sharpening it down to a fine point to maximise our output.
But how do we begin to conduct ourselves through the lens of high performance? Let’s look at what defines the term, and how Perth HPC can assist in reaching it.
Commitment
Many of us have been active at some stage of our lives - playing sport, going to the gym, something that gets the blood pumping and engages us physically. And we may have lasted a month, a single season, or even multiple years of consistent involvement in our chosen sport. But what truly separates the good from the great, what defines those who embody high performance, is consistency. A dedication to their craft and an unwavering commitment to becoming their best, whether that means pushing through pain or showing up to train when it’s the last thing you want to do at the time.
At Perth HPC, we provide the tools and environment to help you find your focus and build consistency. Train alongside WA’s elite athletes in our state-of-the-art gym, with over 100 group fitness classes each week. From strength and endurance to flexibility and recovery, there’s a class to match your goals and schedule. Personal trainers are available to guide your progress, and if you prefer to train in the water, our pools are ready for you too.
Recovery
As the saying goes, you only get out what you put in. And that couldn’t be more true for fitness and performance. Simply hitting the gym for an hour with no plan for what comes next can undermine the effort entirely. High performance isn’t just about the workout itself, but everything that surrounds it. Sometimes, what comes after the workout matters even more than what happens during. The real difference is in the details, the recovery and the commitment beyond the session.
You can find everything you need to improve this side of your workouts at Perth HPC. Take advantage of the healthy and nutritious food on offer to quickly and adequate refuel your body to begin the healing process. Soothe your muscles and promote blood flow with our different pool sizes and temperatures. If you’re feeling a little niggle, book an appointment with Ascend Physio to work through any discomfort. You can also join a Pilates or Yoga class to stretch, restore mobility and enhance recovery.
Knowledgeable Support Staff.
Another saying that often gets thrown around is that it takes a village to raise an athlete. A fitness or performance journey is shaped by those who offer guidance, support and expertise along the way. Whether you’re an athlete or simply someone striving to improve, you’ll find the right support at Perth HPC.
Our qualified, experienced fitness instructors and trainers are here to help – whether in the gym or the pool. Choose from group fitness classes, one-on-one personal training, swimming lessons or aqua aerobics. No matter how you engage in high performance, Perth HPC has the team to guide you.
Immersion
It’s well known that we often mirror the habits of those around us. See how hard someone else is working, and it’s only natural to want to recreate it yourself and match the energy. This remains very true for high performance. Being exposed to like-minded individuals and facilities that embody what high performance means, goes a long way to assisting in adopting the habits and mentality that comes with it.
Perth HPC creates this environment by hosting state and national level competitions regularly at the venue, working with and supporting numerous high-level athletes and organisations, as well as maintaining a welcoming and inviting culture. Being around people who engage in high performance and being in an environment that prioritises high performance by not only their offerings but by who and what they support, makes it a lot easier to embody high performance.
State-of-the-art Equipment and Facilities
Just as being surrounded by like-minded individual in a high performance environment can drive success, having equipment and facilities that match your goals plays a crucial role in achieve peak performance.
Using the latest technology and high quality facilities sets the foundation for achieving elite standards. At Perth HPC, we uphold this by having a well kept environment and offering internationally accredited facilities such as our FIBA-certified Main Arena basketball court. We also provide specialised, state of the art amenities like the Dryland Diving Centre. Committed to supporting WA athletes, Perth HPC provides the tools and environment needed to excel.