Elite athletes spend much of their lives chasing tiny improvements in a world of marginal gains. Training and competition leave very little room for switching off – that is exactly why downtime matters so much. Even the most dedicated professionals need hobbies that help them relax and get away from the pressure and expectation.
Those hobbies vary enormously and some people can surprise with the sort of things they get up to away from the spotlight (did you know that Mike Tyson raises pigeons?).
But there are some patterns and hobbies we see crop up time and time again when athletes discuss their lives away from competition…
Games And Casino Gaming
Gaming has become one of the most common hobbies among professional athletes.
Video games have long been popular in dressing rooms and team hotels. Athletes from many sports regularly talk about gaming as a way to unwind between competitions. Online gaming also makes it easy for teammates to stay connected while travelling across different countries during a busy season.
Casino gaming has attracted plenty of well-known sports stars over the years. People were heading to casinos long before console gaming was a big thing.
Card games and other classic casino favorites have become familiar parts of the entertainment scene in places visited by athletes around the world. Some famous competitors have openly discussed enjoying the occasional visit to a casino. There are even those who have appeared at charity gaming events or celebrity tournaments.
Part of the appeal may be that these games feel completely different from elite sport.
Athletes spend their careers trying to control every possible variable. Hours are devoted to improving technique and finding tiny performance gains. Casino games can sometimes offer something almost opposite. There is no training plan that guarantees success. The randomness is something that plenty of people enjoy about casino games of chance.
Players of roulette games online know that everything depends on chance rather than years of preparation. That contrast can feel refreshing after living in an environment built around constant discipline and precision.
The attraction is not necessarily about competition at all. Sometimes it is simply about enjoying an activity where the outcome remains outside personal control. Elite athletes and sportspeople like Michael Jordan have made no secret of being drawn to these sorts of games.
Golf Offers A Different Kind Of Challenge
It may seem odd that a sport makes the list. Yet golf has become one of the most popular hobbies among retired and active athletes alike.
Soccer players regularly organize friendly rounds together during the off-season. Many Formula One drivers and NBA players have also developed a passion for the sport. Stephen Curry is even a scratch golfer. This means he usually scores par or better when playing a course.
The pace feels completely different to many other sports. Perhaps that is the charm.
There is time to talk and spend several hours outdoors without the intensity that comes with elite competition. It offers a chance to stay active while slowing everything else down.
That balance explains why golf remains a favorite long after sporting careers have ended.
Fishing Provides Peace And Quiet
Not every athlete wants excitement during time away from competition.
Fishing has become a surprisingly common pastime because it encourages patience rather than constant action.
Many soccer stars and combat sports athletes have all spoken about enjoying quiet days beside lakes or rivers. Global sporting superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has also been known to go fishing to wind down. After performing in front of thousands of spectators, the peaceful surroundings can feel like a welcome change.
Music Creates A Creative Escape
Many professional athletes also enjoy making music. It is incredibly common to see that athletes and sportspeople try their hand at making some form of music.
Perhaps it is the creativity or the relaxing properties of music that athletes love. It also provides something that can continue long after retirement from professional sport. F1 star Charles Leclerc is one example of a hugely talented musician. He releases music in the neo-classical genre.
Creative hobbies often offer valuable freedom and another form of expression.
Travelling (Without A Schedule)
Professional athletes travel constantly. Much of it happens according to carefully planned schedules and strict ideas of what needs to be achieved. That makes leisure travel feel completely different. It definitely helps being able to go to some of the nicest parts of the world.
You’re likely to see top level sportspeople and athletes head to the world’s most luxurious locations. The Caribbean is one of the top examples of travel destinations enjoyed by many high-performing athletes.
Switching Off Is Part Of Performing Well
Elite athletes are often seen as people who live entirely for competition. Sometimes their downtime tells a different story. The hobbies can differ hugely. They do tend to share the same characteristics in that they offer a chance to step away from training schedules and performance targets for a while. Learning how to relax has become another important skill for elite athletes. They need to return refreshed and ready for whatever challenge comes next.
