Myles Garrett’s training is a symphony of power, agility, and endurance, meticulously orchestrated by his trainers. His regimen, as seen in the accompanying video, highlights the diverse demands placed on an NFL defensive end. From early morning starts at 6:00 a.m., long before most are even awake, a commitment to peak physical condition is evident. This intense schedule is not merely about lifting heavy weights; it involves a holistic approach to athletic development.
For those curious about the physical prowess of professional athletes, understanding the components of such a workout is key. Each drill is chosen for a specific purpose, contributing to the overall strength, speed, and durability necessary to excel in the NFL. The journey through Garrett’s training provides invaluable insight for anyone looking to elevate their own fitness or simply appreciate the incredible feats of athleticism on display in professional sports.
The Foundation: Dynamic Warm-ups and Baseline Assessments
Every high-performance training session, especially an **NFL workout**, is built upon a foundation of dynamic warm-ups and thorough assessments. These initial phases are crucial for preparing the body for the strenuous demands ahead, mitigating injury risk, and providing objective data on an athlete’s readiness. The importance of these preparatory steps often goes unnoticed but is critical for sustained peak performance.
Activating the Nervous System with Skips and Backpedals
The workout with Myles Garrett began with fundamental movements like basic skips and backpedaling, led by his trainer, Brian Buck. These seemingly simple exercises are, in fact, sophisticated tools for athletic preparation. Skips, performed with knees up and toes up in a “piston action,” are designed to improve coordination, rhythm, and lower-half elasticity. They gently prime the nervous system and increase blood flow, waking up the major muscle groups.
Backpedaling, a staple in football training, focuses on directional change and agility. By pushing off and driving backward to midfield, athletes develop explosive power in the glutes and hamstrings, crucial for reacting to plays on the field. This movement is not just about moving backward; it enhances the ability to accelerate and decelerate efficiently in multiple planes, a fundamental requirement for a defensive player.
Measuring Readiness: The Vertical Jump Assessment
Following the dynamic warm-up, a quick assessment was conducted to measure jump height and force production. This isn’t just a simple jump; it’s a scientific evaluation using advanced equipment to quantify an athlete’s power output. The data provides immediate feedback on the nervous system’s readiness, allowing trainers to adjust the workout intensity accordingly. For Myles, the “green arrow” on the screen indicated he was performing above his weekly norm, signifying optimal physical and neurological readiness to push hard.
Mark Phillips’s attempts to match Myles’s impressive jumps (registering 16.57 and then 17.9, surprisingly close to an elite mark for a non-professional) underscored the inherent power even in non-NFL athletes. However, the consistency and explosive output maintained by an NFL player like Garrett, day in and day out, truly sets them apart. Vertical jump height directly correlates with lower body power and explosiveness, attributes essential for bursting off the line of scrimmage or contesting a pass.
Building Explosive Power: Medicine Balls and Sleds
Once the body is warm and assessed, the focus shifts to developing raw power and strength. An **NFL workout** heavily incorporates exercises that mimic the explosive, full-body movements seen on the field. Medicine ball throws and sled pushes are two prime examples, each targeting different aspects of athletic power required by a defensive lineman.
Full-Body Explosions with Medicine Ball Throws
Medicine ball throws are a core plyometric exercise, aimed at developing explosive power through rapid stretching and contracting of muscles. The specific drill shown involves throwing the medicine ball overhead as high as possible. This movement engages the entire kinetic chain, from the calves and glutes to the core, shoulders, and triceps, fostering an integrated burst of power.
For a defensive end like Myles Garrett, this translates directly to game performance. The ability to generate force from the ground up, brace the core, and explode upwards is vital for disengaging from blocks, batting down passes, or elevating for a sack. Mark’s struggle to match Garrett’s effortless throws (which nearly reached the roof) highlighted the sheer, controlled power Myles possesses—power that is carefully cultivated to be both potent and precise.
Grinding Strength: The Sled Push
The sled push is an iconic exercise in strength and conditioning, known for its ability to build lower body strength, endurance, and mental toughness. Mark Phillips’ reaction to seeing the sled—”No, we can’t be this early”—perfectly captured its formidable reputation. It’s a primal movement that forces athletes to drive through their legs, simulating the forward propulsion and power required to push through offensive linemen or maintain leverage.
When Mark mentioned unknowingly pushing 235 pounds, it emphasized the significant loads NFL players manage. Sled pushes are used to develop starting strength, acceleration, and the ability to maintain powerful strides under resistance. This translates directly to bursting off the line, shedding blockers, and pursuing ball carriers with relentless force. The lactic acid buildup and muscular fatigue experienced during sled pushes also build critical mental resilience, teaching athletes to push through discomfort.
Multi-Directional Strength and Bracing: Landmine Variations
Football is a game of constant change in direction, unexpected collisions, and the need to maintain stability under duress. Therefore, an **NFL workout** must include exercises that prepare athletes for these dynamic, multi-directional challenges. The landmine variation shown in the video is an excellent example of how specific movements are chosen to enhance functional strength.
Engaging the Core with Landmine Rotations
The landmine variation demonstrated by Myles Garrett is a full-body exercise that targets rotational power, core stability, and hip extension. By bracing the core and executing a powerful, controlled movement that extends through the lower half, athletes develop the ability to generate force from an unstable position. This is paramount for a defensive player who must constantly brace against impacts, change direction, and maintain balance while engaging opponents.
Trainer Brian Buck explained that this exercise mimics in-game movements by involving bracing and multiple directions. It requires full extension through the lower half and explosion, activating the glutes and stabilizers. The ability to brace and withstand being “thrown around on the football field” directly improves through such targeted training. Mark’s visible effort and Myles’s calm execution underscored the differential in trained stability and brute force.
The Mindset of an Elite Athlete
Beyond the specific exercises, the video subtly highlights the unique mindset that underpins an elite **NFL workout**. It’s not just about physical capacity; it’s about an unwavering mental approach to training and a profound understanding of one’s body. The dedication exhibited by athletes like Myles Garrett is a significant component of their success.
The 6:00 a.m. start time is more than just a schedule; it signifies discipline and a commitment to consistency, day in and day out. Myles’s composed demeanor throughout the grueling session, contrasting with Mark’s increasing fatigue, showcases a deep familiarity with pushing his body to its limits. This mental fortitude allows him to maintain form and power even when exhausted, a trait essential in the punishing environment of professional football.
The presence of a physio, Jon, explicitly mentioned by Myles (“Where you fall out, he’ll be there to get you”), further emphasizes the professional environment. It illustrates that every aspect of an NFL player’s health and performance is managed. This comprehensive support system ensures that athletes can recover effectively, prevent injuries, and optimize their physical output, reflecting the high stakes involved in their careers.
Ultimately, Mark Phillips’s experience trying to survive an **NFL workout** with Myles Garrett serves as a powerful testament to the extraordinary physical and mental demands placed on professional athletes. This isn’t just about showing up; it’s about a relentless pursuit of peak performance, a meticulous approach to training, and a mindset that embraces discomfort as a path to dominance.
Gridiron Grind: Tackling Your Questions About the NFL Player’s Workout
What is an NFL player’s workout like?
An NFL player’s workout is an intense and carefully planned training regimen focused on building power, agility, and endurance. It involves diverse drills designed to meet the extreme physical demands of professional football.
Who is Myles Garrett and why is his workout featured?
Myles Garrett is an elite NFL player, a five-time Pro Bowler and Defensive Player of the Year. His workout is featured to demonstrate the grueling training regimen and dedication required for professional football.
What are some common exercises in an NFL workout?
Common exercises include dynamic warm-ups like skips and backpedals, power assessments such as vertical jumps, and strength builders like medicine ball throws and sled pushes. Multi-directional drills like landmine rotations are also key.
Why are warm-ups important in an NFL workout?
Dynamic warm-ups are crucial because they prepare the body for strenuous demands, help prevent injuries, and activate the nervous system. They also provide data on an athlete’s readiness for the workout ahead.