Adel ‚Big Bird‘ Anouche tells us how he trains, what’s important to him and so much more
Fitness and esports are words you wouldn’t associate together. Why would a sedentary profession require, or even have any need, for one to be fit? But they are more closely associated than you might think. While from the outside it might seem that all you need to do is sit in front of the PC all day long, it is a sport that tasks both mental and physical capacities to its extreme limits. We spoke to professional esports player, Adel ‚Big Bird‘ Anouche, about his fitness regime, how it plays a part in performing in the big leagues, and what he would recommend to upcoming casual as well as competitive e-sports athletes. Let’s set the scene: There is a big tournament coming up in the next few weeks. How does your day to day look like leading up to the tournament? How do you start preparing for it, what goals do you set to achieve (if any), and how do you measure your progress? Tournaments can be quite intense, so I usually try to get the most strenuous training done well in advance. I like to have a routine in place, so I make sure every day I get a workout or a bit of movement in. I’ve recently been sponsored by Under Armour and having the correct equipment has really helped my training level up. I try to follow a certain schedule, I started implementing the Push Pull Legs program recently 5-6 days a week, so I can hit every muscle group at least twice a week with cardio 2-3 days a week after workout so I can be at my best physically. Leading up to the tournament day, I would spend at least an hour or so on practice modes, just to practice my combos and see if there’s anything I’m missing to keep the muscle memory fresh. My progress would be measured by the score’s generated from each practice session and the goal is simply to come out victorious for yourself and then the team. Obviously, preparing for tournaments entails several continuous hours of practise per day, which can be mentally and physically exhausting. How do you strike a balance there – pushing yourself enough in striving to become a better player, but not burning out from it? It can get very strenuous both physically and mentally when preparing for tournaments.
