As a part of the global partnership with Reebok, the company’s global ambassador Lewis Hamilton visited the Reebok store at Dubai Mall. Lewis spent about an hour at the store, meeting with his fans, and talking about his training regime using Reebok’s SmoothFit technology.

When asked about his impression on Dubai, Hamilton, who was visiting Dubai, said that he was stunned by the interest from sport lovers in Dubai. He was amazed by the number of people who came to the Reebok store to meet him, and listen to his experience with Reebok.

Lewis Hamilton takes his training very seriously, proving the point that within every top race driver there is a true athlete. To be at the top of his game, Lewis has a very precise training regime that builds specific muscles that are crucial for his sport. He shared details of his training program and a provided a closer look into the athlete within the driver. With Reebok SmoothFit technology, Lewis has been going through a vigorous training regime.

Here is just a sample of what Lewis has gone through in the four months leading to 2009 season:
-165 HOURS OF TRAINING
- MORE THAN 60 TRAINING SESSIONS: The equivalent of training non-stop 24 hours a day for an entire week
-450 KMS OF RUNNING: The equivalent of running just under six laps of each of the 17 race tracks in the 2009/10 season
-SHOULDER SHRUGS UP TO 750KG PER SESSION: 10 times his own body weight

Lewis’ training was split across two areas: Strength & Core and Cardiovascular. For Strength & Core, his main areas of focus are Neck, Core/ Back/ Gluts, Shoulders, Legs and speeding/ agility. His cardiovascular work revolves around running.

Commenting on the intensive training, Lewis said: “To be the best in my field needs extraordinary cardiovascular fitness and muscle endurance. Therefore, continuous training has to be done, which involves long runs and muscle specific exercises. Without taking a break after the previous season, I ran 450 kilometers before the start of the new season. With Reebok’s SmoothFit, I could train for longer without the risk of blistering or irritation, it feels completely different to any training gear I have used before.”

“The preparations start from the beginning of the year which is how you build yourself up. It is very tough to keep fit throughout the season. Now, almost at the end of the season and I still feel extremely fit. This gives me the confidence and I know that I can do a great job, thanks to Reebok,” he continued.

Commenting on the visit, Mark Greiner, Sales and Marketing Manager, R.B.K Middle East, said: “Lewis is one-of-a-kind, a true challenger and this perfectly reflects the spirit of the Reebok brand. He is a successful sportsman, who is an embodiment of youthfulness, talent, fitness and authenticity; these are attributes that the Rebook brand identifies with and we are delighted to be celebrating his success.”

The following comparisons were created by research development experts Speed Agility Quickness International (SAQ).

LEWIS HAMILTON - FASTER THAN ELECTRICITY
Giving new meaning to the saying, “faster than the speed of light”… Lewis Hamilton’s lightening quick reactions are faster than electricity.
How? The contraction time of fast twitch muscle fibres during high force movement is 40-45 milliseconds. Electric current is like a flow of syrup, 3 inches per hour.

CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF 20 CARS
Training his neck muscles is a crucial part of Lewis’ regime. The weight exerted onto Lewis Hamilton’s neck during competition is the equivalent of around 20 saloon cars!
How? G Force plus the weight of his helmet averages 24 kilograms at each bend. An event consists of 58 laps at 13 bends per lap. So, 58 laps x 13 bends x 24 kg = Total of 18,096 kgs. 1,016 kg = 1 ton. Saloon car average between 1,000 – 1,200 kg unladen mass.

LEWIS HAMILTON - THE GLOBAL FOOTBALL PLAYER
Who knew Lewis Hamilton could have been a footballer? Lewis’ heart rate will maintain a level for the whole event equivalent to playing two global football games back to back.
How? A driver’s heart rate averages 170 beats per minute (bpm) per hour in event time (typical event time 1 hour 50 minutes). A footballer’s average is 150-160 bpm for 60 minutes of a game. NOTE – ball in play an average of 60 minutes in international game of football.

LEWIS HAMILTON - THE MARATHON RUNNER
Lewis Hamilton’s maximum heart rate will be higher during a race than that of a marathon runner.
How? A marathon runner’s heart rate average is between 150-160 bpm per hour. A driver’s heart rate averages 170 beats per hour. Lewis Hamilton’s heart rate will be higher during competition than a marathon runner.

LEWIS HAMILTON - THE SUPERMODEL
Due to his rigorous fitness training regime, Lewis Hamilton has less body fat than a supermodel.
How? The average body fat of a driver will be less than 13%. (Calculated from Durnin & Womersley 1974 Formula). The average female body fat is 20-30%. An average supermodel measures at 13.8%.

LEWIS HAMILTON – THE PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST
During competition, Lewis Hamilton’s heart rate will be higher than that of a cyclist competing in a major event.
How? Professional cyclists have a heart rate average between 140-150 bpm per hour. A race driver has an average of 170 bpm per hour.

LEWIS HAMILTON – THE ASTRONAUT
“One small step for man, one giant leap for Lewis”… During competition, Lewis Hamilton will accelerate faster than a space shuttle at blast off.
How? A race car goes from 0 to 100 miles per hour (160 km per hour) in 5.4 seconds. A rocket reaches a 160 km per hour (100 per hour) in 6 seconds. (NASA Communication 2001).

TRAINING FOR THE ULTIMATE ROLLER COASTER
Lewis Hamilton’s blood pressure while racing will rise to and stay at a level equivalent to sitting on a roller coaster non-stop for 1 hour and 50 minutes. The same as sitting on 55 roller coaster rides in a row.
How? A racing driver’s blood pressure will raise an average of 50% during competition, average time of a race is 1 hour and 50 minutes. Average roller coaster time, 2 minutes. (Dr Juergen Kuxhyk – Hasslott, Germany). Roller coaster riders‘ blood pressure rises on average 16%.

THE LEWIS HAMILTON DIET
A great way to diet. Lewis Hamilton will lose the equivalent of 80.59% of his body weight in sweat during a year of competition.
How? Lewis Hamilton’s current weight = 67 kgs. He loses 54 kgs of sweat per season. 54kgs = 80.59% of his body weight.

TRAINING FOR WATER LOSS
Lewis Hamilton will lose on average 54 litres of fluid during a competition season while racing. This is enough fluid to:
…have an average shower of 2 minutes
…do the family washing in an average modern front loading washing machine
How? Average 54 litres of fluid lost during a season. Average 2 minute shower will consume 40-45 litres of water. Average family washing machine will consume 50 litres of water.

SmoothFit
SmoothFit is a unique technology that eliminates all exposed stitching and bonding in shoes and apparel to reduce the amount of abrasion against the foot and body. This delivers the ultimate in comfort allowing the wearer to train for longer without the risk of blistering or irritation.

Reebok’s SmoothFit collection is currently at select retailers worldwide and also available on www.reebok.com.