The Olympics have definitely inspired my family. My girls are enthralled by the female divers and gymnasts, doing flips off the couch after watching. My husband got caught up in the fever of the men's swim team and even tried to swim across a (small) lake during our vacation last week. I wasn't sure who was going to save him when he realized he wasn't Michael Phelps!

The Olympics are meant to be inspiring, and it's awesome to see people everywhere taking an interest in their favorite sports. But what we all need to remember is that Olympians dedicate their entire lives to their sport, training every day for years. The BBC is reporting that manufacturers of fitness equipment are fielding calls from DIY Olympians who want to set their rowing machines, stationary bikes, and treadmills to perform at the same pace as their favorite Olympians, so that they can follow along at home.

The danger in this, besides breaking your expensive fitness equipment, of course, is that the average Olympics viewer is not in Olympian shape. Instead of trying to keep up with your personal Olympic hero, follow along at home within your own personal limits. Be inspired by the Olympics not to beat your favorite athletes (an impossible task), but to challenge your own personal best. If you're looking for workouts to motivate you, check out Kristen's post on turning Olympic inspiration into perspiration.

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Whether you have (or have had) dreams of participating in the Olympics or are simply interested in mixing up your fitness regime, it's fascinating to hear about the workouts Olympic athletes go through. For me, it not only helps me appreciate the effort it took for them to achieve that level of greatness, but it also inspires me to push harder in my workouts -- I might not be able to keep up with them, but I can try!

Lots of athletes have taken the opportunity to speak about their fitness routines, eating habits, and more. We've pulled a bunch of their information together, so to see what your favorite Olympian does to stay in shape, keep clicking the "Next" button!

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