Leisure

Gold Rush

Training Like an Olympian

The Olympics start Friday. Which means, if you haven’t qualified yet, well, it’s probably not happening this year. Sorry. The good news: they’ll do it all again in 2016. And in Rio. So let’s get you training. Below, a guide to beginning your gold medal quest. Remember, no javelin in the house.

ARCHERY

Private Bow-and-Arrow Lessons

The Training: It’s an on-demand archery school. You provide the location (somewhere away from innocent bystanders) and an expert archer will provide all the equipment. Also, all the necessary technique so you can fire a high-powered recurve bow without killing yourself.
Degree of Difficulty: High. Sharp objects are involved.

ROWING

An Entire Gym of Rowing Machines

The Training: It’s a brand-new fitness studio strictly full of rowing equipment. Sixteen machines, to be exact. And its interval-based classes are run by a duo of competitive local rowers. No, not the Winklevoss twins.
Degree of Difficulty: Medium. Nobody ever drowned on stationary cardio equipment.

WEIGHT LIFTING

Pumping a Whole Lot of Iron

The Training: An Olympic weight lifting program based on classic Bulgarian training techniques. First, you’ll learn how to bench-press. Then, you’ll learn how to squat. Then, you’ll learn how to pull off wearing a singlet.
Degree of Difficulty: Extremely high... likelihood you’ll tear a bicep.

TRIATHLON

Meet Your Triathlon Guru

The Training: A three-month personalized fitness regimen with a former Olympic Training Center resident athlete. In order to get accepted into the exclusive program, you’ll have to show you can run, swim and pedal with some degree of expertise. Or you’ll have to ask really nicely.
Degree of Difficulty: High. One word: chafing.

FENCING

Sword Fighting. For Sport.

The Training: This is Fencing 101. Test out the equipment. Learn the terminology. Get some pointers in proper footwork. And then, stab some strangers with a sabre.
Degree of Difficulty: Low. It’s why you’re dressed like a beekeeper.