Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley Shares How He Stays Fit and Focused
By Wyndi Kappes
From tottering up to the T-ball plate at Snowden Grove Park in Southaven, Mississippi to being called up by the Braves in 2019, baseball has always been Austin Riley’s passion. After an injury in 2019 and an abbreviated 2020 season, the high school pitcher turned third baseman is set to excel in his first full major league season. While the jury is still out on what his 2021 season has in store, Austin is staying focused on delivering his best performance yet.
Q: Outside of the training and practice with the Braves, what do you do to stay in shape?
Austin Riley: I do a lot of stretching. I’ve found that making sure to stretch and stay loose really helps me with strength training and mobility. Even in the off-season, we have a pretty extensive program that I stick to. I also make sure to eat right, drink tons of water and get plenty of sleep.
Q: Can you share any of your pregame rituals with us?
AR: I’m very routine-oriented, so I like to make sure I stick to the same pregame routine every day. I’ll try to do my pregame work at the same time, eat at the same time and get all my stretches done at the same time. I find it helps me stay focused and prepare for each game.
Q: What is your advice to men looking to live their best life and achieve lofty goals?
AR: Always give your best effort with whatever you are doing, no matter what it is. At your job, in the office, in the gym, even with hobbies in your free time. Stay committed to what you are doing.
Q: Do you have any fitness or wellness role models?
AR: I really respect our strength coaches Brad Scott and Jordan Wolf. They put together some great programs for the guys and tailor them for everyone’s individual needs.
Q: How do you balance your marriage with training and playing?
AR: I always make sure to find time for my wife, Anna, and me to do something together. Whether that’s making dinner together, watching Netflix, or getting out and doing something outside. The season is extremely long, so we make sure to spend as much time together as we can.
Q: What does your typical meal look like?
AR: I try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins. I also drink a lot of water to make sure I’m hydrated. I’ll have a light meal pregame and then try to get something a little more filling after the game. I especially love hitting up Atlanta’s best barbecue joints!
To snag tickets to see Austin hitting homers in person, visit www.mlb.com/braves/tickets.
Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Braves.
Meet all 11 Atlanta athletes who shared with us hows they stay happy and healthy here.
