LA Rams Aaron Donald: Moves like lightning, hits like a hurricane

The arrival of a new offseason delivers a new NFL Free Agency market, a new NFL Draft, and even the signing of undrafted free agents after the draft. But one of the highlights I most look forward to is the new workout footage of LA Rams All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald, and the innovative ways that one of the best players in the NFL remains one of the best players in the NFL.

Workouts typically bring to mind free weights, lifting machines, or some form of gymnastics or resistance training. But when you click PLAY to an Aaron Donald workout video, you are entering an entirely new world of exercise. You may see Donald flipping a truck tire three times his size across the practice field. You may see Donald harnessed to a weighted sled, and dragging it across the grass or sand.

Many cite Donald’s power, and yes, that is part of it. But the secret to his dominance is not just his ability to hurl offensive linemen to the side. He has the quickness and balance that typically is found in boxers and ice hockey. His ability to punch out with so much power and then suddenly pivot into the opposite direction is incredibly effective at magnifying his strength through leverage and allows him to slip through with a full head of steam.

It starts with insane footwork:

Not convinced? Here is a full video analysis of what it takes be remain atop the NFL.  Up to 5000 calories a day? Wow. Of course, he has his body’s metabolism purring at a rate that would allow him to rush up the side of a mountain with a 200-pound backpack strapped on.  Check this out below:

That’s an insane amount of work on a daily basis to remain at his peak performance. But it’s not just a physical workout that remains rutted.

From the video above, Donald uses the offseason to build body mass, strength, and durability. He does that with high-intensity low-rep workouts. As the NFL season approaches, he converts over to a low-intensity high-rep workout to elevate his endurance and energy levels. And all that power, speed, and experience is accessible to each NFL rookie who has joined the LA Rams. Another year, and another astonishing display of fitness and workouts by Aaron Donald.

Will this be his best season ever? By the intensity of his workouts, it certainly looks that way. And from the depth and talent pool of the defensive line position this year, it could be the best defensive line since head coach Sean McVay took over. Being the best among his peers is not Donald’s goal. That is reserved for hoisting a Lombardi. Is this the year? Stay tuned