Javelin Throwing | Support athletes' overall health and well-being

Coaching javelin throwing professionally requires as much flexibility as sheer strength. Just ask our business coordinator Freddie, who represented Great Britain at the World Junior Athletics Championships, winning national titles at Junior and U23.

A complex training course

"I still have a long way to go to become British champion, but it will happen in good time!" 

Freddie says that training for javelin throwers is quite varied, "I spend 5-6 hours a week strength training at the gym, and the same amount of time doing plyometric exercises such as medicine ball overhead throws and one-arm throws. Of course, as a javelin thrower, I spend time throwing as well, but not as much as most people might think, we don't throw every day."

Strain injuries for javelin throwers

The athlete says that javelin throws put a lot of strain on the elbow, shoulder, and back. This limits javelin throwing to just two or three days a week. He supplements his training routine with gymnastics, "Apart from the fun and challenging aspects of gymnastics, it helps develop better balance, flexibility, upper body strength, and core strength—all in one session!"

To combine training with work, Freddie says he trains in the morning before work.

He saves double workouts for weekends off. He has also found an added bonus, "Working out in the morning also keeps me a little more alert throughout the day." 

Where did your passion for sports start?

So how did Freddie discover his love for javelin throwing? "As a child, I discovered my ability to throw when I was throwing tennis balls across the roof with my two brothers. It was fun to see a tennis ball come out of nowhere and fly across the roof of the house," he recalls.

"My older brother joined the local athletics club and I quickly joined to watch. The following week I decided to give it a try and I was quickly hooked! I was about 9 years old at the time."

On a team with Aarja

Freddie uses Aarja Health's supplements daily. "I take Magnesium3 every night, without fail, and with food. I fall asleep easier, and I feel much more refreshed in the morning. I have also noticed a huge difference in my recovery."

In addition, the javelin thrower uses other Aarja products - Vitamin C 500 with Zinc and Chaga , Vitamin D3 + Cranberry , Collagen with Pine Bark , and Curcumin with Ginger and B12 . 

"Both vitamin C and D3 help prevent me from catching colds, or contracting other minor illnesses. Collagen has helped me with joint pain that comes from many hours of training. Curcumin has been excellent for inflammation."

He admits that muscle fatigue is normal with so much training during the week. "It's important to have the right amount of training load and not overdo it," advises Freddie. "We try to avoid injuries at all costs. Working on the small muscles and doing prehab exercises is the best way. We try to be proactive in injury prevention. I have physiotherapy sessions and massage regularly. But I think enough and effective sleep and proper recovery are the key here."

Time to focus

Focus is crucial during competition. “Of course, at big championships I can get a little nervous,” says Freddie. “I work with a sports psychologist to develop different techniques to help me stay calm and relaxed. For me, nothing hinders my performance more than a restless mind and tense body. In the days before a big competition I try not to think about it too much. I just try to carry on with my daily life as normal.”

Aarja Health is proud to support athletes like Freddie with our healthy supplements.