Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Health & Fitness

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Stay fit and motivated with Christian McCaffrey’s secret weapons

See how the elite running back stays on top

By
49ers playing a game
Fredrick Lee / Unsplash

The NFL season is in full swing, and we’re all enjoying watching our favorite players on the field. One of our favorite players has been missing since going down with a pre-season injury, Christian McCaffrey. While it is a huge hit to the 49ers and fans to have that hole on the field, he’s primed to return based on who he is and how he recovers.

Before the season, we got a chance to sit down with the elite running back to talk through his fitness and conditioning and his partnership with the . He gave us a sneak peek into how he became and how he stays at the top of his game with the help of Dymatize’s exercise scientists and a personal chef who keeps him away from vices.

Recommended Videos

His fitness routine

Christian McCaffery
Dymatize

As you can imagine, being the best running back in the NFL costs a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to remain at the top of his game. So while every player in the league has a routine that they stick to, McCaffrey has a few secret weapons that he uses to remain at the top.

Related

“I could write a book on it (changing the routine between college and the NFL). It changes because football has so many variables. I have had seasons with injuries, and you spend the majority of the off-season addressing those while making sure everything else was ready for the season. I have had seasons where I am completely healthy, but every off-season has its new challenges. Since football is such a tough sport, you are getting hit from every different angle. You learn how to compensate really well during the season. During the off-season, you address those compensations.”

“Get the body back to 100% as soon as possible and then get the lungs back. That first part of the off-season is like a 200-400 meter sprinter-type training. Throughout the whole of season, I will do pool, gymnastics, anything to engage the full body. Results are what they are, but how you feel is the most important.” On the subject of gymnastics, “I don’t know anyone else that does it. It is all about full-body coordination, awareness in space, and 360 degrees. It isn’t linear, you are moving all over. Those are all amazing for me because that is what running back is. You are moving in different planes in seconds.”

His nutrition

Cooked steak with vegetables and sauce
Malidate Van / Pexels

Any athlete and any coach will tell you that most of your fitness doesn’t happen in the gym, but instead, it happens in the kitchen. For McCaffrey, it’s about more than sticking to chicken and rice and lifting heavy. For him, there’s a science with it. Here is what he has to say about his relationship with food.

“I just eat healthy. Three times a year, I do my bloodwork. Tells me what I am low in, what I am high in, what are my sensitivities, what are my allergies. I have an unbelievable chef who ensures everything I eat is on the list. I am constantly eating because food is important. I eat what I can. I have a lot of vices like fast food and coffee that I could eat constantly if I didn’t have an ounce of willpower.”

His supplements

Dymatize on a step
Dymatize

Of course, when you are training your body to be in peak physical condition, there is nothing more helpful than getting a leg up on supplements and recovery. For Christian McCaffrey, Dymatize was an easy partnership based on more than one factor. And not the least of which is the Fruity Pebbles flavor that you get as a reward for leaving everything at the gym.

“Anytime you are in a hard workout and you know that (Fruity Pebbles flavor) is at the end it is like a treat. They stand for everything that I believe in in training which is database, science-backed nutrition. I test all the products and I like the way I feel. There is scientific-formulated protein and hydrolyzed whey, which absorbs fast. You drink it right after your workout, and it is already working. Confidence in your nutrition, knowing it is helping you become a better athlete, plays a big role in your recovery.”

Staying motivated

Football on the beach
Max Böhme / Unsplash

When we look at someone like Christian McCaffrey, it’s easy to say that this is his job. We could do it as well as him if we were paid to right? But the truth is, once something is your job, it is easy to lose motivation, to get lost in the grind and lose sight of your passion that got you there. So how does the running back stay motivated? The easy answer? For the love of the game.

“I have never had a problem with motivation. I have always been pretty hungry. I love football. I love training. I love feeling fast and strong. I love feeling like I can play. When you are part of something bigger than yourself, it is easy to feel motivated and inspired to be the best at it because one, your teammates and your coaches and fans rely on your to be your best. And two, you know when you love something and want to do something as long as you can, you’ll do anything for it. That is how I have approached football my whole life.”

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mark McKee
Mark McKee
Contributor
Mark is a full-time freelance writer and men's coach. He spent time as a style consultant and bespoke suit salesman before…
Cruciferous vegetables are the secret to a healthy diet — here are 9 you should be eating
9 health-boosting cruciferous vegetables for your diet
Fresh broccoli in a bowl

With many health issues in numerous people’s lives, people are starting to transform their diets to better support their health. Cruciferous vegetables are taking the lead due to their increasing popularity and potential benefits, such as weight loss promotion and better control of blood pressure.

That being said, what are some cruciferous vegetables to include in a healthy diet?

Read more
From Bob’s Red Mill to McCann’s, these are the best healthy cereals for men, according to a registered dietician
Stick with these choices to start your day right
A bowl of cereal and a spoon

Cereal is arguably one of the first foods that comes to mind for most people when they think about breakfast, and the food industry has capitalized on our love for breakfast cereals with enough options to span an entire aisle at most grocery stores. While we all know there are plenty of sugar-laden choices these days (some even have the word “cookie” in them!), there are also ones that masquerade as nutritious choices but are actually little more than empty calories, refined grains, and added sugars. This doesn’t mean you need to steer clear of the entire cereal aisle and become an eggs-only type of guy, but if you’re in the market for a healthy cereal, it’s a good idea to turn the box and scan the nutritional facts and ingredients list before adding it to your cart.
“Breakfast cereals are healthy when they are made from whole grains, are low sugar with no added sugar, and have a moderate amount of fiber and protein,” said Janette Marsac, a registered dietitian in New York City, who added that cereal can be a great source of whole grains, which have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. The key is choosing minimally processed, whole-grain cereals with at least 3-5 grams of protein and fiber per serving, and no more than 5 grams of sugar unless it contains only sugar in the form of dried fruit.
The list of ingredients should include grains, nuts, and seeds, such as whole wheat, whole oats, brown rice, amaranth, flax, almonds, chia, walnuts, and quinoa, and should not contain high-fructose corn syrup, date syrup, fruit juice, honey, agave, or any added sugars or sugar alcohols (look for words ending in -ose or -ol).
In recent years, there have been an increasing number of cereals marketed as "keto-friendly," "high protein, or "high fiber." Perhaps surprisingly, these aren’t always as healthy as they may sound. The “high-protein” cereals are usually made with soy protein, which has poor bioavailability and is usually highly processed. It’s typically better to consume cereal for its intended purpose — a good source of whole grains — and consume other naturally high-protein foods like eggs, lean meats, poultry, fish, and cottage cheese. Similarly, the “high-fiber” cereals usually contain chicory root or inulin; both are poorly absorbed and may leave you bloated and gassy. To prevent digestive distress, opt for cereals with natural sources of fiber like whole grains, nuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds.

Healthy breakfast cereal to start your day
Now, it's time to find out what the healthiest breakfast cereals are for men that will help you begin your day on a healthy note. Below, we share our recommendations.

Read more
10 apps to help you meal plan and stay on track with your diet in 2024
Meal planning has never been easier
Happy handsome bearded man is using his smart phone while he preparing vegan healthy breakfast for a lovely family

The data on New Year's resolutions aren't the best. Recent data shows that most people give up before the calendar flips to February. However, perhaps you've vowed to be the outlier this year, specifically with weight loss and healthy eating. Diet and weight loss remain top resolutions manually, but change is hard. A strategy, like a meal plan, can help, but developing one can feel overwhelming. Consider a food planner to lose weight. No, you don't have to buy a physical planner. Instead, meal plan apps allow you to hold the tool that can help you achieve your eating and weight loss goals in the palm of your hand.

Various healthy food planner phone apps offer different interfaces, bells and whistles, and price points. Most are more than mere calorie apps. Instead, you'll find ways to track your progress and plot out meals to ensure you're getting the calories and nutrients you need to thrive.

Read more