Train like an Olympian: Shannon Boxx, soccer

Shannon Boxx was part of the 2004 Olympic gold medal-winning soccer team, and she's back this year, ready for more. Leading up to Beijing, the team lived and trained together, and believe me, these girls have been working hard. Fortunately, they've also been working smart, and Shannon shared some of her fitness tips with Women's Health.

She does a lot of upper body strength training because, in soccer, just playing works the legs, but their arms need to be strong in order to fend off opponents. She also works her core because it makes her faster, more agile, and allows her to come back from an injury quicker. The teams uses ice baths from the waist down after practices to help with recovery.

Because she burns so many calories working out, Shannon doesn't have to watch what she eats too much, but she eats four or five smaller meals instead of three large meals, and doesn't overdo on anything. If she wants dessert (and she normally does), she'll have a bit of ice cream, but everything is in moderation. The workout Shannon shared consists of the hollow hold, bench press, side plank, hollow body lower down, front arm raises, bird dog, and medicine ball throw. They're moves that many of us can easily incorporate into our workouts. In fact, I think I will!