Strength, Precision, Speed
THE HO REVOLU
Joe Kryszak was successfully managing billion-dollar customer accounts in corporate America when he hit an obstacle he couldn’t overcome. “I completely threw out my back,” he says. “I had a huge bulge in one of my discs.”
THE PHYSICAL REGIMEN OF F1 DRIVERS
He went to see a top spinal surgeon who told him, “Hey, no problem, we can do surgery, cut away part of the bone, put in some plates and screws, and you’ll feel like a million dollars,” Joe says. Stuck in bed awaiting surgery, Joe did some research and decided to see a chiropractor for spinal decompression. “After a few treatments, I was able to get up out of bed. I felt great,” he says. The surgeon was amazed when Joe arrived for a pre-operative consultation at his office. “You’re walking around, and your pain went from a 10 to a 3! What happened?” he asked. When Joe explained he had seen a chiropractor, the surgeon shot back, “You should have asked me before you did that! You could have really hurt yourself.”
In racing, every millisecond counts, and the difference between champion and runner- up often hinges on the driver’s physical and mental prowess. Formula One (F1) engines have 1,000 horsepower and reach speeds of more than 230 miles per hour. Formula Two (F2) engines max out at 620 horsepower and can push a car up to 200 mph. Being an F1 driver is among the most physically and mentally demanding sports. AN ENDURANCE TEST F1 racing is a test of human endurance. The race car driver’s neck and core muscles must have incredible strength and endurance to withstand the G-force pressure of up to five times the force of gravity during a race. At this level, the body struggles to breathe, circulate blood, and move with precision. A driver’s heart pounds at 160–200 beats per minute, dramatically higher than the average person’s resting heart rate of 60–100 beats per minute. So, F1 racers must be both physically and aerobically fit.
RIGOROUS TRAINING F1 drivers undergo rigorous training to stay in top shape and withstand the sport’s physical demands. Their exercise routine requires personal trainers and strength training focusing on specific muscle groups, like the neck, arms, and core. Neck exercises often use resistance bands to simulate the pressure experienced in high-speed corners and use weighted helmets to build muscle mass. Pull-ups, press-ups, and bench presses are just a few exercises to develop strong biceps, triceps, and forearms, vital for operating the steering wheel while subjected to high G-forces. To develop the core muscles, they sit on the floor and rotate a weighted disc to mimic the act of steering. This movement builds a resilient core to maintain posture and balance during a race’s intense twists and turns. Cardiovascular fitness is a critical component of their training regime. Running, cycling, and rowing are popular activities that enhance stamina. These activities ensure drivers can cope with the immense stress experienced during a 90-minute race.
Joe’s response: “I looked him in the eye and said, ‘You’re a quack.’”
Restored to full mobility, Joe continued to run major sales
divisions at Lenovo and Amazon for six more years before leaving corporate America in 2018 to found Stirling Professional CBD. Today, his company, based in Cary, North
The life of an F1 or F2 race car driver requires raw physical power, mental fortitude, and immense dedication. These drivers are pushing boundaries and redefining limits, proof of the human spirit’s capacity to conquer the seemingly impossible.
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