mental and physical fitness for high performance at poker

In poker, there are many different avenues a player can take to get ahead. Amidst the growing poker boom, some players choose to focus on their mental strategy while others prefer to prioritise their endurance.

Poker is not the most physically demanding of sports, but fitness still plays a crucial role. It's no secret that the best players are in shape; they're able to keep their composure and stay focused on the game even when things get tough.

Fitness is not just about looking good in jeans or having six-pack abs. It's about building endurance, strength, agility, and balance. The rewards are obvious— a fit player can perform at their best during long tournaments and look presentable in front of the cameras. A few poker players have gained fame for their dedication to keeping fit and staying healthy.

Here are three inspirational poker players who prioritise fitness:

fitness in the poker industry - who is winning at the game?

1. Daniel Negreanu

Huge media exposure for players translates to smarter fitness choices beyond the poker table. Daniel Negreanu is a Canadian professional poker player who has won six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets.

With over £39 million worth of winnings, he is considered one of the poker players with the highest net worth. His celebrity status in the poker industry has earned him income streams from sponsorship deals and prompted him to make his fitness a mainstay in his life, not just for his appearance but also for his overall health.

Negreanu is famous for his vegan diet, where he avoids all meat and dairy products. His daily schedule reflects how he has prioritised being in peak physical condition, even if it means missing out on some of the social aspects of poker. He makes time for gym workouts in the middle of his day and makes sure he reaches at least 100,000 steps per week.

the keto diet for mental and physical performance in poker

2. Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth is an American professional poker player with over £23 million in tournament winnings. He's been playing since the 1980s and holds the record for the most WSOP cashes and final tables. He has over 16 WSOP bracelets and is widely recognized as one of the greatest poker tournament players of all time.

Despite his tremendous success at the poker table, he hit 40 stone on the weighing scale, a number past his comfort zone. This prompted him to make changes to his diet and lifestyle. He credits the ketogenic diet for losing over two stone. Keeping the weight off isn't easy, so Hellmuth couples his diet with regular workouts to boost his energy for long tournament days. He relies on exercise to give him the best shot at winning at the table, as it enables him to clear his mind and sleep well at night.

intermittent fasting for the mental edge

3. Dan Cates

Dan Cates is among the best Texas Hold 'em players in the world, with over £10 million total live tournament winnings. He owns two WSOP bracelets and is the first to win the Poker Players Championship in two consecutive years. He is known for his incredible dedication to poker, having worked his way up from micro-stakes to huge earnings. But, he's also known for his commitment to fitness—both mentally and physically.

Some of his methods to improve his mental and physical performance include intermittent fasting and high-intensity interval training. His gym bag always contains easy, on-the-go fitness options such as a jumping rope, boxing wraps, and vegan protein powder. He believes that his active lifestyle has helped him compartmentalise the stress and anxiety that comes with every poker game.

Poker players like Negreanu, Helmuth, and Cates, who prioritise their physical fitness are more likely to enjoy the games they're bound to win. By keeping their bodies in top shape, they will be better positioned to make strategic decisions, stay focused on the game, and avoid any distractions that might lead them astray from their goals.