Being an e-sports professional involves more than just gaming. Overwatch professional Timo “Taimou” Kettunen shares the responsibilities that await pro gamers – and what the training looks like.
It is often heard and read that eSports is not a real sport because players just play all day without really achieving anything. This is a misconception that even some fans fall for.
Because professional gaming requires more than just being able to play a lot and well. Players need to prepare thoroughly and be fit both mentally and physically. If they are not, their reaction speed suffers. Taimou, the current tank of Dallas Fuel from the Overwatch League, shared with Invenglobal how it works for him.
The Personal Trainer for the Team – Because Fitness is Important
In the Overwatch League, many teams have fitness areas and their own gyms in their specially set up houses. Here, players can train their bodies when their minds need a break.
The management of Dallas Fuel has also hired a personal trainer who makes them sweat daily. Taimou notes that working on the legs and core is particularly strenuous.
However, the latter is very important for the athletes, as they need to concentrate on this even in the game. The personal trainer therefore places great value on these exercises and incorporates planking into their routine.
Nevertheless, he is popular among the players. He is demanding yet supportive and rewards hard work with praise.
By Stage 3 or 4, everyone will be pumped up here
Overall, Taimou seems to have changed his life since the start of the Overwatch League. He says:
- I eat healthy now
- I go to the gym
- I sleep better.
And that is just the beginning in Stage 2. Taimou jokes: “I think when we are in Stage 3 or Stage 4, everyone will be pumped up here.”
Preparing for the Matches through Meditation
Not only the body must always be in top form. The mind also plays an important role, both in e-sports and in other sports. Without the right mentality, morale suffers, which can quickly lead to failure.
Taimou’s trick: meditation. According to the professional, it is important to always focus on winning and to force oneself to see oneself as the best. To achieve this and to maintain a cool head, one should always remain “in a beautiful place”.
This beautiful place for Taimou is the stage where he stands with his team after a victory. During meditation, he prepares for every possible situation, even for picking himself up from a setback and winning again with new strength.
Why all this training?
An e-sports professional delivers performances that cannot be compared to normal gaming. For that, their heart rate reaches a frequency that is almost comparable to that of a marathon. Their reactions on keyboards and mice are about four times faster than those of the average gamer.
An untrained body cannot sustain that for long. Moreover, training obviously enhances exactly the skills that a player needs as a pro-gamer. To win in such tournaments, every advantage must be utilized according to Taimou – and this includes gyms, personal trainers, and meditation.
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