Olympic Snowboarder Jake Pates Enhances Workouts with ‘Sneaky’ Pilates Routine

The road to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games is an exciting journey for athletes, including snowboarder Jake Pates. This will mark Pates’s second Olympic appearance. At just 27 years old, he has already made a name for himself in snowboarding, finishing eighth in the 2018 PyeongChang Games. His experience adds to his determination as he aims for gold in the halfpipe at the upcoming games.

Jake Pates: Conquering Challenges

Before returning to international competition, Pates faced significant challenges, including recovering from a serious concussion. This experience fueled his advocacy work on brain and mental health issues among athletes. Despite the hurdles, he is back on Team USA and ready to showcase his skills.

Understanding the Halfpipe

Pates describes his sport succinctly. “You’re strapping a piece of wood to your feet, and you are pointing it down a half tube that’s basically just covered in ice,” he explains. Precision is essential, as metal edges lock into the ice, allowing for impressive air tricks. Judges evaluate competitors on their creativity and execution during these runs.

Training Regimen: ‘Sneaky’ Pilates

Pates has incorporated unique elements into his training routine. He emphasizes the importance of glute strength for snowboarding performance. “Booty is gonna be the main muscle group that we’re using in halfpipe,” he notes.

• Core Exercises: Pates focuses on bodyweight training, including pushups, dips, and pull-ups.
• Sneaky Pilates: He admits to doing Pilates exercises on his own, calling it “sneaky Pilates.” This approach helps improve flexibility without formal classes.
• Warm-Up Methods: Pates prepares for runs using a Theragun and learning Qigong from a US Team physical therapist.

Nutrition and Recovery

Nutrition plays a crucial role in Pates’s training. He prioritizes protein for muscle recovery and performance. Although he consumes protein supplements, he prefers to bring his own clean brand, Momentous, to the Olympic Village.

Insights on Performance

During his training and preparation, Pates acknowledges the strengths he aims to build. He favors strength over cardio and values quality in both his workouts and nutrition. Despite the serious nature of competition, he maintains a light-hearted attitude, humorously considering how he would excel in sleeping as a non-sport if given the chance.

Passion for the Sport

Pates’s admiration for other athletes shines through in his conversations. He considers Japanese halfpipe gold medalist Ayumu Hirano his Olympic GOAT. If he could compete against anyone in history, he dreamily mentions Kobe Bryant as an aspirational opponent.

As he prepares for his Olympic journey, Pates balances training, nutrition, and a touch of humor. His unique approach, combining strength exercises with ‘sneaky’ Pilates, showcases his commitment to achieving his goals at the Winter Games.