What type of athlete are you?

I was speaking to another trainer the other day and we were discussing sports and defining what an athlete is. He stated to me that there are really two types of athletes. Those that are just in it for the fun and don't really care about the win and then those that do care about the win and don't see fun in coming in second. One is a recreational athlete and the other is serious athlete.

Websters define an athlete as a person trained to compete in sports. If we really look at the finer details of that statement the question that come to my mind is, Are you considered an athlete if you compete in a sport and have done minimal training for the event? This is where the separation occurs between the recreational athlete and the serious athlete.

The serious athlete is one that takes his sport serious and trains to be the best at it. They, if necessary gets a coach or reads a book, will dedicate much time to perfecting his sport and they do not settle for second best in any way. If they really masters their sport, at whatever age they are at, than have the potential to become an elite athlete. Whereas the recreational athlete just does that sport for the fun of it and really has no desire to get better in it. If this person becomes a little more serious about their sport(s) then they have the potential of becoming a serious athlete.

What is the difference between a serious athlete and one who is not? The answer is simple determination, drive, and discipline. The three D'S. What type of athlete are you?