U.S. Women’s National Team defender, Ali Krieger, continues the Nike+ Training Club 90-Day "Better For It" Challenge after Christen Press kicked off the program in April. For this second installment, Nike & Krieger collaborated on her "Summer Strong" workout which incorporates strengthening and balance drills crucial for a defender at her level.
Broken Leg Leads to Much More
Almost 10 years ago, when Krieger was a 20-year old defender at Penn State, her soccer career suffered a major setback when she broke her leg late in the season. During her recovery time she noticed she was having trouble breathing, and a hospital visit later revealed she had blood clots in her lungs which led to a pulmonary embolism and a series of minor heart attacks. Krieger survived the life-threatening ordeal and went on to have an incredible senior year at Penn State. This struggle motivated Krieger as she looked towards her future as a soccer player:
“It was a second chance... It put my career in perspective. I then knew exactly what I wanted to do. It really pushed me to want to get better, get back out on the field and reach for my goals and dreams.”
Not Back in it For Long
Krieger's motivation and push to improve brought her far, and she became a real force in the back line for the U.S. Women's National Team. However, in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics, Krieger suffered another devastating setback when she tore her ACL and MCL in her right knee. Although she was unable to compete for a medal, she continued to cheer on the team throughout the recovery process. Krieger loved the game too much to allow this injury to hold her back once again. She credits her dad with having a big impact on her persistent and optimistic attitude:
“What my dad always taught me is to control what I’m able to control, and that’s two things: my work ethic and my attitude. And I’ve tried to carry that throughout my whole career.”
Prepare for Summer with Krieger's Workout
The workout inspired by Krieger isn't just for elite athletes. It includes a wide variety of exercises for people at all levels of athletic capability. The workouts are focused around what skills are crucial for a defender to perform at the highest level on the field: positioning, footwork, and timing. A small sampling of the workout includes: touchdowns, single leg dead lifts, lunges, and push ups. Download Krieger's Summer Strong Workout now on the Nike+ Training Club app and get ready to train through those long and hot summer days.