Friday 2 January 2015

Alfonso Morreti's : Top 10 Beginner’s Mistakes

It’s time for another Angry Trainer Top 10, and this time around I’m tackling the topic of common beginner’s mistakes.

Starting a new exercise program can seem daunting, and with so much contradictory information out there, it’s really hard to make the right choices and get with a solid program. So here are a few pointers on how to get started – the right way!

1. LISTENING TO FRIENDS – I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve seen teach someone poor form or give them horrible advice. Friends can’t teach you the right way if they don’t know it themselves. Be sure to put the same effort into learning about exercise and nutrition that you do when researching other areas of importance. Read and learn from various sources – magazines, books, websites, etc. After all, we’re talking about your life here. I’m not saying to never take your friends comments under advisement, but certainly don’t take it at face value.

2. TOO MUCH, TOO SOON – I’ve mentioned this before – a person gets so excited for their new program that they go to the gym every day. Most of the time, around the 2-3 week time frame they stop going completely. Why? It’s called burnout, and it’s because a person simply didn’t allow time to get used to a new program. Incorporating fitness into you life should be a slow, not speedy, process. Remember you can always add more intensity and weight at a later date.

3. WRONG EXERCISE SELECTION – Many people never reach their goals for one simple reason – they don’t use the right modes of exercise. Just because you’re in the gym doesn’t mean you’re doing the right things. You should primarily choose forms of exercise that you like and also provide the results you’re looking for. See my Why Your Workout Isn’t Working – Exercise Selection piece for more specifics.

4. USING MACHINES – I know many of you feel that starting at the “circuit” is the best way to begin a program. Well, the Angry Trainer disagrees! In my opinion, all new trainees should focus on learning how to control and use their body, not have a machine do it for them. For that reason I recommend body weight, balance or one legged, medicine and resistance band exercises and anything else that requires focus and concentration. Machines usually targets a large, prime moving muscle group, so unless you’re a bodybuilder looking to bulk up, I’d move on.

5. CARDIO OBSESSION – It’s a proven fact that most new members of a gym actually only use the cardio equipment. I’ve seen statistics that say as few as 10% of new members take classes, use circuits or lift weights. This is due to most people once again believing that cardiovascular exercise is the best way to get fit and lose weight. That’s completely untrue – all forms of exercise should be used as part of a complete fitness routine. Check out my Cardio Confusion post for more on this long standing myth.

6. EXCESS EATING – It seems like a no brainer, but some people think that because they’re exercising, they’ve earned the right to eat more food. The result – you obviously end up gaining weight! Certainly exercising regularly may make you hungrier since you’re burning more calories. But exercise is not an excuse to pig out, so make sure you watch your dietary intake and eat sensibly. If you feel hungry then by all means eat, but don’t go eating cheeseburgers regularly just because you joined the gym!

7. AVOIDING STRENGTH TRAINING – For years I’ve heard women saying they avoid training with weights as they don’t want big muscles. Unfortunately that means they also miss all of the benefits; improved or maintained bone density, higher metabolic rate, lower body fat, better posture, increased muscular endurance, and long term weight maintenance. Weights are needed in everybody’s routine, no matter your gender.

8. LACK OF FOCUS – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people read the daily paper or a magazine while walking, riding a bike or using some other cardio equipment. First of all, I’ve already told you my thoughts on excessive cardio, and second, if you can read and exercise at the same time I guarantee your workout sucks! I’m sorry to be harsh but seriously, you’re in a gym and you’re going to read? Forget the literature and use the gym for what it is, not as a library.

9. TIME OF DAY TRAINING - It may be more entertaining socially to hit the gym on a Monday or Tuesday night when it’s packed, but it’s also a surefire way to be distracted and slowed down. As I’ve said before, fitness centers are like bars and clubs on some nights, so if you’re serious about your workout I recommend going when it’s less busy. I promise you’ll get a better workout without gazing around at who’s hot, and who’s not. Then show off your new body at a real club!

10. RACKING WEIGHTS – This is the gym manager in me coming out – I can’t stand when people use various bars, dumbbells, medicine balls or whatever else and just leave them on the gym floor. Then when YOU need a piece of equipment, you can’t find it until you trip over it. This is more of an etiquette issue, but I see a lot of new trainees make a mess of the gym. I’ve always put things away, and one of my mottos is ‘if you can lift it – you can put it back’. I just told two twenty-somethings the other day to clean up after themselves, and I don’t even work at the gym!

Thursday 1 January 2015

The Truth about Anabolic steroids

At school they're called roids, juice, gym candy, pumpers, stackers, weight trainers or hype. They're anabolic steroids and they can hurt you.

Looking cool can be very important. Some things like cool clothes and hair styles are great. Messing with your body is not cool. 

Performance enhancing drugs, like steroids, were at first used by athletes to improve their athletic abilities and provide them with an advantage in their competitive sport. However in recent years, young people, like you, have been taking these man-made substances. 

Steroid use is dangerous and can lead to serious medical and psychological complications. It is important that you understand the consequences of taking steroids.What are anabolic steroids?Anabolic steroids are synthetic or man-made substances related to testosterone. Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is responsible for the growth of bones and muscles, and for the development of masculine features such as, facial hair and a deeper voice. 

It also increases muscle mass and muscle strength. Although it may take a little longer, you can get the same effects by following a supervised and safe weight training program and good nutrition. 

Steroids are controlled substances, available by prescription and are used to treat specific medical conditions. It is not illegal to possess steroids for personal use, but possession for trafficking is illegal. 

Since steroids are illegal to get without a doctor's prescription, this has resulted in a widespread black market supply of steroids. Steroids obtained through illegal means may be counterfeit (not the same as you would get from a doctor) and possibly impure. 

Steroids are taken by mouth as tablets or capsules, by injection into muscles, or as gels or creams that are rubbed into the skin. Doses taken by people who abuse steroids can be up to 100 times greater than doses used for treating medical conditions. 

Who uses steroids?Steroid users are not necessarily just professional athletes. You may be thinking of using steroids to change the way you look, and 'bulk up' or build muscle to help you feel better about yourself. You may be thinking that you can become more popular and get more respect and sex appeal. 

About 83,000 young Canadians, mostly young men, between the ages of 11 and 18 report using steroids at least once. 

Of those young Canadians who use steroids, about half use steroids to improve their performance in sports; almost as many use steroids to change their physical appearance. 

Most steroid users are male, white, middle class and age 14 or older. The majority are involved in a regular physical activity or fitness/weight training program. 

Women between the ages of 11 and 18 are less likely to use steroids. It's mainly a male issue.Do you know the side effects of using steroids?

Steroids have dangerous side effects. However, many of the consequences don't appear until much later. If you are relying on advice from other users and friends, they may not know or tell you about the dangers.

Steroids can affect the way you look:Severe acne (pimples) of face and bodyHair lossIn teenagers, steroids can stop bones from growing, so you may not grow to your full heightIn girls, steroids may cause masculine features like more body hair, smaller breasts, deeper voice, and larger clitorisBreast enlargement in boysSteroids can affect your sex drive:In boys, steroids can shrink your testicles and cause impotenceIn girls, you can have irregular periodsSteroids can affect your personality:'Roid rage' where you may become more aggressive or violent, and have bursts of angerdepressionmood swingsbeing tiredSteroids can threaten your life:If you inject steroids and share needles or vials, you can become infected with Hepatitis B and C, and HIV (AIDSDamage to liver and liver cancerDamage to kidneysHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterol leading to higher chance of getting a heart attack or strokeWhat can you do instead of taking steroids?

Even though steroids increase the size of your muscles, they can damage your health.

You can talk to your gym teachers and/or coaches to get information about nutrition, exercise, and other training techniques for improving performance.

You can ask your teachers and/or coaches to talk to other young people about the dangers of using steroids.

You can feel good about yourself based on other things, not just your physical appearance. You should be proud of your talents, achievements, abilities, intelligence, sense of humor, etc.

It may take you longer, but you can get fit and build muscle without using steroids. You can feel proud of yourself by setting goals and achieving them without the use of steroids.

Adapted by MNT from original media release

10 facts about Human Growth Hormone

Advances in human growth hormone (GH) delivery have been reported recently, offering the anti-aging community, athletes, and physique enthusiasts reason to investigate new advantages and opportunities of this drug/hormone.

 

1 - Norditropin SimpleXx

 Novo Nordisk A/S is a large pharmaceutical company that already manufactures and markets the once-daily GH product Norditropin SimpleXx. Norditropin has proven to be effective and reliable when used clinically; those who obtain it outside of the legal channels for quality-of-life or performance/physique purposes comment positively.1 Norditropin is typical of pharmaceutical GH. It improves linear growth (height) in treated children, reverses aging-related changes in older subjects, improves body composition, and accelerates healing.

 

2 - Drug Design

There are a number of challenges in creating a drug that can be inhaled with the intention of absorbing the drug into the bloodstream. First, it cannot be an irritant to the lungs or airways to avoid sneezing it out, or worse yet, induce an asthmatic reaction (bronchoconstriction). Second, the drug cannot cause an unwanted drug response in the lungs/airways (e.g., bleeding). Third, the drug must reach the alveoli (the tiny air sacs where oxygen is exchanged) to be absorbed into the circulation. Fourth, it cannot interfere with gas exchange (oxygen for carbon dioxide).3 There are other considerations, but this gives you an idea of the challenges.

 

3 - Growth Hormone Delivery: It Doesn’t Come Easy

An inhalable form of GH has proven itself to be an effective substitute for injectable GH in human clinical trials; as yet, this product has not completed FDA approval. Inhalable GH has been shown in adults and children to be bioequivalent in delivering GH, and the drug kinetics— time to peak concentration, clearance, etc.— are similar, as well as the metabolic effect (IGF-1). Both injected and inhaled GH reached peak concentration approximately 2 hours after dosing, and were cleared within 8-10 hours.5 The downside to inhaled GH is that it is inefficient in regard to how much of the drug is absorbed.

 

4 - Injection

Traditionally, GH is injected subcutaneously (into the fat you can pinch) into the abdomen or thigh.6 This allows GH to disperse relatively quickly and near-completely. The abdomen and thigh are chosen due to the access (people can self-inject into these sites), and circulation is good. Other fat depots do not have adequate blood flow— slowing the release or even “trapping” the drug, rendering it unusable by the body. GH can be injected intramuscularly (IM) to greater effect, but IM injections are more painful and have additional complication risks.7

 

5 - The New Variation on GH–pGH

A variation on GH has been developed, attaching a long polyethylene glycol chain to the protein structure to prolong its presence in the bloodstream; this is called pegylated GH (pGH).8 Pegylation does not alter the activity of GH, rather it makes the protein bigger so that it is not filtered by the kidneys and pissed away, literally. It may help to think of pegylation as carrier-protein substitute, protecting the hormone and prolonging its presence in the blood. Novo Nordisk A/S, the manufacturer of Norditropin, recently reported the results of studies comparing once-weekly pGH to daily Norditropin, in regard to tolerability and bioequivalence.8 The studies used healthy, non-smoking, non-obese men, aged 20 through 40. None of the subjects showed any injection site reaction, demonstrating the tolerability of pGH. When blood tests were analyzed, pGH was shown to be equivalent to GH on a molar basis within the dose range normally prescribed to adults.

 

6 - Growth Hormone In Your Body

GH is normally produced in spikes several times through the day and night. It can be stimulated by certain amino acids, exercise, low blood sugar, etc.9 The effects of GH are fairly short-lived, but longer term effects are the result of IGF-1— a secondary protein hormone produced primarily by the liver when stimulated by GH.10 Skeletal muscle is also a significant source of IGF-1, but most of the muscle-derived IGF-1 effects are local (limited to the tissue that produces it).11 Liver-based IGF-1 would be rapidly cleared if it did not bind to a carrier protein complex (IGFBP-3 and ALS).10

 

7 - Primitive Side Effects Of GH

Early adaptors of GH for bodybuilding and anti-aging suffered a number of side effects, including carpal tunnel syndrome, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, facial bone distortion, elongation of hands and feet, organ growth, etc.12 This was due to their inappropriate use of excessive doses, following the treatment routines given to GH-deficient children (around 20 IU/day). This resulted in IGF-1 levels that were higher than the body could accommodate; most GH-related side effects can be managed by keeping IGF-1 values within or near the physiologic (normal) range.

 

8 - Know The Risks

Of course, as with anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, the maximal response requires maximal risk— many are willing to make that trade. IGF-1 induced muscle growth, one of many anabolic effects of growth hormone, is dose related.15 For years, athletes believed that GH increased strength, as well as muscle size. Then research was published stating emphatically that GH-increases in muscle size were either due to fluid retention or increases in non-contractile components in muscle tissue.16 In other words, the muscles may get bigger, but they do not get stronger or perform better.

 

9 - GH Vs. Test

Now, another study challenges the above claim, showing that in healthy adult men and women who exercise recreationally, GH (6 IU/day) significantly increased Wingate sprint performance— a measure of anaerobic power— by 4 percent compared to a control group that was not treated.17 Men experienced a synergistic increase in the Wingate test to 8.3 percent when testosterone was also administered (250 mgs Sustanon/week) along with GH. Interestingly, while testosterone and GH both increased lean mass, GH did so by increasing extracellular water;testosterone actually increased muscle tissue.

 

10 - GH benefits fat-loss and reduces muscular deterioration

Many of the benefits of GH relate to metabolic changes affecting energy utilization, or buffering in the muscle to reduce the (lactic) acid-related deterioration in performance. Further, fat loss is obviously beneficial in many sports. It is the chronic elevation of IGF-1 that appears to be related to the anabolic effects of GH, suggesting pGH may have greater effect for those seeking size or power gains.

 

It is probable that pGH will be approved in a few years; prior to that, it will likely reach self-experimenting bodybuilders or athletes. No additional risk with pGH, relative to current GH formulations, has been noted; yet, the report of delayed clearance, potential for hormone “buildup,” and suppression of endogenous (natural) production seem elevated in instances of abuse (dosing for anabolic versus replacement purposes).

 

References:

 1. Orme SM, Sebastian JP, et al. Comparison of measures of body composition in a trial of low dose growth hormone replacement therapy. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 1992 Nov;37(5):453-9.

 

2. Desrosiers P, O'Brien F, et al. Patient outcomes in the GHMonitor: the effect of delivery device on compliance and growth. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev, 2005 Feb;2 Suppl 3:327-31.

 

3. Hohenegger M. Novel and current treatment concepts using pulmonary drug delivery. Curr Pharm Des, 2010;16(22):2484-92.

 

4. Siekmeier R, Scheuch G. Inhaled insulin--does it become reality? J Physiol Pharmacol, 2008 Dec;59 Suppl 6:81-113.

 

5. Walvoord EC, de la Peña A, et al. Inhaled growth hormone (GH) compared with subcutaneous GH in children with GH deficiency: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2009 Jun;94(6):2052-9.

 

6. Beshyah SA, Anyaoku V, et al. The effect of subcutaneous injection site on absorption of human growth hormone: abdomen versus thigh. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 1991 Nov;35(5):409-12.

 

7. Keller A, Wu Z, et al. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of GH: dependence on route and dosage of administration. Eur J Endocrinol, 2007 Jun;156(6):647-53.

 

8. Rasmussen MH, Bysted BV, et al. Pegylated long-acting human growth hormone is well-tolerated in healthy subjects and possesses a potential once-weekly pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic treatment profile. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2010 Jul;95(7):3411-7.

 

9. Devesa J, Lima L, et al. Neuroendocrine control of growth hormone secretion in humans. Trends Endocrinol Metab, 1992 Jul;3(5):175-83.

 

10. Ohlsson C, Mohan S, et al. The role of liver-derived insulin-like growth factor-1. Endocr Rev, 2009 Aug;30(5):494-535.

 

11. Frystyk J. Exercise and the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor axis. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2010 Jan;42(1):58-66.

 

12. Mukherjee A, Shalet SM. The value of IGF-1 estimation in adults with GH deficiency. Eur J Endocrinol, 2009 Nov;161 Suppl 1:S33-9.

 

13. Faje AT, Barkan AL. Basal, but not pulsatile, growth hormone secretion determines the ambient circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2010 May;95(5):2486-91.

 

14. Surya S, Horowitz JF, et al. The pattern of growth hormone delivery to peripheral tissues determines insulin-like growth factor-1 and lipolytic responses in obese subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2009 Aug;94(8):2828-34.

 

15. Stevens-Lapsley JE, Ye F, et al. Impact of viral mediated IGF-1 gene transfer on skeletal muscle following cast immobilization. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2010 Aug 24. [E-pub, ahead of print]

 

16. Rennie MJ. Claims for the anabolic effects of growth hormone: a case of the emperor's new clothes? Br J Sports Med, 2003 Apr;37(2):100-5.

 

17. Meinhardt U, Nelson AE, et al. The effects of growth hormone on body composition and physical performance.

Sunday 28 December 2014

A quick insight to Supplements.


Supplements Are Just Food

When you first hear about supplements for bodybuilding, performance enhancement, weight loss, or immune support, you may be fooled in to thinking something magical is taking place. Unfortunately although it sounds boring, supplements are essentially just food.
Regardless of whether they come in a pill, capsule, powder, or liquid form; most supplements are either extracted from plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables, or are synthetic imitations created in a lab.
The body digests them (or sometimes it doesn’t) and the nutrients or amino acids go off to support bodily processes. If the body doesn’t need it, you pass the excess in urine.
In 99% of cases, everything you can buy in supplement form can also be obtained from a healthy and varied diet.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t supplement, but it does mean you should probably get you diet in order and start eating fresh nutrient rich foods before considering toping things up with a pill.

What Does Supplementation Mean?

Many people taking supplements fail to recognise what the term actually means. “A thing added to something else in order to complete or enhance it.”
For fit and healthy people who eat a varied diet, your body is already getting everything it needs to function properly. In these cases taking a lot of supplements will have minimal to no effects, and most of the nutrients will be flushed from the body as waste. Look out for that bright green or yellow florescent urine! That’s your body’s way of saying “we don’t need this”.
However it’s safe to say most people with their processed foods, empty snacks, and alcohol consumption, probably aren’t in tip top condition. Unhealthy people can certainly benefit from supplementation, but then they have to ask themselves whether their lack of nutrition couldn’t perhaps best be solved by eating better, rather than taking extracts of … food. Just eat the food in the first place!
What supplementation does offer for the average person is convenience. If you know your eating habits could be cleaned up, but you just can’t bring yourself to trawl down the vegetable isle with an iPhone checking which green lump is higher in which vitamins – then topping things up with a daily multi-vitamin is not a bad idea.
Half of a doctor’s job is correcting deficiencies caused by poor nutrition, or tackling illness and disease that has prevented natural bodily functions from being performed without extra help.

Who Are Supplements For?

For the average person a simple daily multi-vitamin containing Vitamins A to K, and the various B vitamins is enough to ensure you’ve covered your dietary needs in terms of essential nutrients. Some of the old and well-established favourites like fish oil can also keep you limber if you’re prone to stiffness and joint pain.
However supplements are not just about basic vitamins and fatty acids, and they’re not just about the average person.
If you are embarking on a strenuous exercise routine or are working hard to build muscle, there are also a range of supplements that can increase performance and help with recovery.
They won’t turn you in to an Olympic runner or the Hulk, but they’ll ensure the body has what it needs to run efficiently.
It’s the difference between the average sports car and a finely tuned racing model. The sports car functions fine, but if you’re going to do 30 laps on a race track at high speeds, fuel is going to run out quicker and those tires need some extra care.
In this situation you don’t need anything over the top. A simple creatine supplement can help energize muscles during workouts. A basic whey protein powder can be consumed after workouts to ensure you have enough to efficiently help the muscles recover.

Conclusion

The key to supplementation is common sense. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. If it’s not been tested or gone through years of successful use, then there’s no need to be a guinea pig.
The first thing on everybody’s mind when they made the decision to become more healthy is changing eating habits and beginning exercise. Sports supplements should be held off until you really need them.

Thursday 17 July 2014

Endorsements in sports 2013 top 20

In 2013, these 20 athletes brought in a total of over $772 MILLION in athlete endorsements. This accounts for over 70% of the estimated $1.1 billion spent on athlete endorsements each year. This list is a tribute to the athletes that are dominating the athlete endorsement industry.


Tiger Woods1. Tiger Woods | PGA Tour

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $65,000,000
Twitter Followers: 3,699,787
Follower Value: $17.57
opendorse reasoning: opendorse has named Woods is the highest earning athlete endorser for many reasons. He is one of the greatest golfers ever to play the game, well spoken and his smile can light up an entire room. Tiger’s accomplishments have made him one of the most recognizable faces in the entire world! Tiger is second all-time in PGA Tour wins and third all-time in European Tour wins. He has 14 Major Championships and has been awarded PGA Player of the Year a record of eleven times. He is the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam and has completed the accomplishment three times. Woods has a long term endorsement deal with Nike, which produces his signature golf clubs, shoes and apparel. Woods also has deals with Rolex, Fuse Science, Upper Deck, Kowa and NetJets. Tiger is easily one of the most marketable athletes of all time and tops the leaderboard for the highest paid athlete endorser.

Roger Federer2. Roger Federer | ATP

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $65,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1,084,348
Follower Value: $59.94
opendorse reasoning: Federer is regarded by many to be the greatest tennis player ever. He has held the world’s number one position for 302 weeks throughout his career; including a stretch of 237 consecutive weeks. Federer has won 17 Grand Slam Singles titles, the most of any player ever. He has also won the ATP World Tour Fans’ Favourite Award a record eleven times straight. Federer’s athletic success and humble demeanor have made him one of the most likeable players and a marketing juggernaut. The Swiss native has endorsements with Swiss companies Rolex, Credit Sussie, Lindt and Jura Elektroapparate. He also has deals with Nike, Gillette, Wilson, Moët & Chandon and Mercedes-Benz.

Phil Mickelson at Muirfield Village3. Phil Mickelson | PGA Tour

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $44,000,000
Twitter Followers: Not currently on Twitter
Follower Value: N/A
opendorse reasoning: His laid back Southern California vibe and his smooth left handed stroke have made him a fan favorite. Mickelson has 42 PGA Tour wins and five Major Championships, including three Masters Tournament green jackets. As a result, “Lefty” was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2010, he picked up a deal to endorse psoriatic arthritis drug, Enbrel, after he was diagnosed with the disease and began using the drug for his treatment. He also teams up with Callaway, KPMG, Rolex, ExxonMobil and Barclays.

LeBron James4. LeBron James | NBA | Miami Heat

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $42,000,000
Twitter Followers: 10,508,656
Follower Value: $4.00
opendorse reasoning: LeBron. Just say his first name and everyone instantly knows who you are referring to. His on court success combined with his off court popularity make him an endorsement dream. King James has two NBA Championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, nine All-Star selections, four regular season NBA MVP awards and an Olympic gold medal. He has many endorsements including: Nike, Powerade, McDonald’s, Baskin-Robbins, Samsung and Dunkin’ Brands. Still not convinced he is worth the hype? Here are some more reasons King James warrants his endorsement earnings.

Kobe Bryant5. Kobe Bryant | NBA | Los Angeles Lakers

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $34,000,000
Twitter Followers: 3,792,354
Follower Value: $8.97
opendorse reasoning: Kobe is one of the biggest athlete endorsers, ever! On the court he has done it ALL including: five NBA Championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, one regular season NBA MVP, 15 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA First Team selections and nine NBA All-Defensive First Team selections. His charismatic personality and million dollar smile are a perfect fit for Los Angeles, where he can frequently be seen makingtelevision appearances. Kobe has endorsements with Nike, Coca-Cola, Panini, Lenovo and Smart Car.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India)6. Mahendra Singh Dhoni | ODI | India

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $28,000,000
Twitter Followers: 2,540,706
Follower Value: $11.02
opendorse reasoning: Dhoni is the captain of the Indian national cricket team and one of the nation’s biggest celebrities. The right handed batsman and wicketkeeper is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in cricket. After taking over the ODI captaincy in 2007, he led India to its first ever bilateral ODI series wins in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. In 2008 and 2009, Mahendra was awarded ICC ODI Player of the Year. In the final of the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni led India to victory and was named Man of the Match. “Mahi” has endorsements with Pepsi, Reebok and United Breweries Group just to name a few.

Usain Bolt7. Usain Bolt | Racers Track Club

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $24,000,000
Twitter Followers: 3,144,464
Follower Value: $7.63
opendorse reasoning: Bolt is the fastest human ever. He holds the 100 and 200 meter world records, as well as the 4×100 meter relay world record along with his teammates. The Jamaican sprinter is a six-time Olympic gold medalist. His signature “To Di World” victory pose has become a worldwide photo fad. His fun, cool and exciting, but still relaxed and laid-back personality makes him likeable and relatable to anyone. Bolt’s largest endorsement is with Puma and he also has endorsements with Gatorade, Comcast, Nissan, Samsung and Visa.

Maria Sharapova8. Maria Sharapova | WTA

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: 23,000,000
Twitter Followers: 696,820
Follower Value: $33.01
opendorse reasoning: Sharapova’s athletic achievements combined with her appearance has made her the top female athlete endorser. Sharapova has won 29 WTA singles titles including four Grand Slam singles titles. She is the sixth woman in the history of tennis to complete the singles career grand slam. Sharapova’s off court style led to endorsement deals with Cole Haan and Tag Heuer. She also has endorsements with Nike, Samsung, Porsche, Head and Evian.

Cristiano Ronaldo9. Cristiano Ronaldo | La Liga | Real Madrid

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $21,000,000
Twitter Followers: 22,811,741
Follower Value: $0.92
opendorse reasoning: Ronaldo has the most Twitter followers of any athlete on this list; making his marketing reach seem endless. He is the most popular soccer player in the world and arguably the best current player. In 2008, Cristiano won the Ballon d’Or and was also named FIFA Player of the Year. He has won two European Gold Shoe awards, awarded to the top goalscorer in league matches from the top division of European national leagues. He owns a fashion boutique, “CR7” and his style and model like-looks have led to endorsements with Emporio Armani and Jacob Arabo. Ronaldo also has endorsements with Nike, Coca-Cola, Castrol, Konami, KFC and Banco Espirito Santo.

Rafael Nadal10. Rafael Nadal | ATP WorldTour

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $21,000,000
Twitter Followers: 5,401,769
Follower Value: $3.89
opendorse reasoning: “Rafa” has won 13 Grand Slam singles titles and a Men’s Singles Olympic Gold medal. Nadal is only the second men’s tennis player to complete the Career Golden Slam (win all four Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic gold medal during a career). He is considered the best clay court player and his dominance on clay earned him the nickname “King of Clay.” Nadal has endorsements with Nike, Bacardi, Richard Mille, Quely and Kia Motors.

Derrick Rose11. Derrick Rose | NBA | Chicago Bulls

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $21,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1,782,402
Follower Value: $11.78
opendorse reasoning: “DRose” was the number one overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and went on to win Rookie of the Year honors in 2009. Rose is a three-time NBA All-Star and in 2011 he was named NBA MVP, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to win the award. His most lucrative endorsement is with Adidas, who produces his signature line of basketball shoes and apparel. Rose also has endorsements with 2K Sports, Skullcandy, Wilson and Powerade.

Lionel Messi at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ12. Lionel Messi | La Liga | Futbol Club Barcelona

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $21,000,000
Twitter Followers: Not currently on Twitter
Follower Value: N/A
opendorse reasoning: Messi is currently the best soccer player in the world and one of the greatest players to ever play the game! The Argentine forward has won three consecutive FIFA Ballon d’Or awards, given annually to the player who is considered to have performed the best throughout the year. In 2012, he set the record for most goals in a European club season by scoring 73 goals. That same year he became the first player to score five goals in a single UEFA Champions League match. He has won numerous championships including three UEFA Champions League titles, six La Ligas and two Copas del Rey. Messi’s largest endorsement is with Adidas, who recently launched his own signature footwear and apparel line. He is also a global ambassador with Turkish Airlines and has endorsements with Pepsi, EA Sports and Procter & Gamble.

Rory McIlroy13. Rory McIlroy | PGA Tour

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $16,000,000
Twitter Followers: 1,785,708
Follower Value: $8.96
opendorse reasoning: McIlroy is one of the most promising prospects in golf and has the potential to become one of the highest earning athlete endorsers. “Rors” set a record score of 16 under par on his way to winning the 2011 U.S. Open. He then won the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island by a record eight strokes for his second major championship victory. Rory’s largest endorsement is with Nike and he also has deals withOmega, Bose and Banco Santander.

Ernie Els driving on hole #514. Ernie Els | PGA Tour

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $16,000,000
Twitter Followers: Not currently on Twitter
Follower Value: N/A
opendorse reasoning: Ernie has 70 professional career victories including four Major Championships, two World Golf Championships and seven World Matchplay titles. In 2011, “The Big Easy” was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Els also owns Ernie Els Design, an award winning golf course design company.He has endorsements with Callaway, Boeing, SAP and Royal Bank of Canada.

Li Na15. Li Na | WTA

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $15,000,000
Twitter Followers: Not currently on Twitter
Follower Value: N/A
opendorse reasoning: Na is the most successful Asian tennis player ever, having won seven WTA singles titles. Li elevated to stardom after she won the 2011 French Open singles title. The win made her the first and only Grand Slam singles champion from an Asian country. Na is only one of four athletes to be named to Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, in which former WTA world number one Chris Evert wrote: “Tennis has exploded in China. The country now has some 15 million tennis players; 116 million people watched Li win the French Open. That kind of exposure is crucial to our sport, and it never would have happened without Li. At tournaments, I’ve seen her charm the crowds. When she smiles, everyone melts. She’s such a breath of fresh air. And like Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova before her, Li Na has transcended her sport.” Li has endorsements with Rolex, Nike, Häagen-Dazs, Mercedes-Benz, Taikang Life, Samsung and Babolat.

Kevin Durant16. Kevin Durant | NBA | Oklahoma City Thunder

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $14,000,000
Twitter Followers: 5,440,205
Follower Value: $2.57
opendorse reasoning: KD is a three-time NBA single season scoring champion. He can score and make playsfrom anywhere on the court. Off the court, Durant is known for his refreshingly rare sense of humility, philanthropy and amiability. For example, in 2013, hedonated one million dollars to the American Red Cross to aid victims of the 2013 Moore tornado that devastated parts of Oklahoma. His biggest endorsement is with Nike, who produces KD’s signature line of basketball shoes and apparel. Durant also has endorsements with Foot Locker, Gatorade, Sprint and 2K Sports.

Novak Djokovic17. Novak Djokovic | ATP World Tour

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $14,000,000
Twitter Followers: 2,523,936
Follower Value: $5.55
opendorse reasoning: The Serbian tennis star has won seven Grand Slam singles. At age 26, Novak already has 41 titles and is currently ranked number two in the world. He won the ATP World Tour Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012. Many already consider him one of the greats of the game. Djokovic has endorsements with Mercedes-Benz, Uniqlo, Head and Serbian telecommunications company Telekom Srbija.

Dale Earnhardt Jr18. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series | Hendrick Motorsports

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $13,000,000
Twitter Followers: Not currently on Twitter
Follower Value: N/A
opendorse reasoning: The Earnhardt name and NASCAR go hand in hand. Dale Jr. is the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and the grandson of NASCAR driver, Ralph Earnhardt. Junior was voted the Sprint Cup Series Most Popular Driver by fans ten years in a row from 2003-2012. In 2004, he won the Daytona 500. Dale Jr. teams up with Wrangler, Diet Mountain Dew, Hellmann’s and Chevrolet.

P1010142.jpg19. Dwyane Wade | NBA | Miami Heat

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $12,000,000
Twitter Followers: 4,205,902
Follower Value: $2.85
opendorse reasoning: According to Wade, he is a father first and then an athlete and champion. His two greatest gifts are his two sons, Zaire and Zion. On the court, “Flash” has three NBA Championships, one NBA Finals MVP and nine NBA All-Star selections. His style, wit and charm led to a partnership with The Tie Bar, in which Wade designs his own collection of bow ties, neck ties and pocket squares. Wade’s vast endorsement portfolio also includes deals with Dove, Gatorade and Li-Ning who produceWade’s signature sneakers.

Serena Williams20. Serena Williams | WTA

Yearly Endorsement Earnings: $12,000,000
Twitter Followers: 4,042,595
Follower Value: $2.97
opendorse reasoning: Serena holds the most major singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles combined amongst active players, male or female. She is the reigning French Open, US Open, WTA Tour Champion and Olympic Womens’ Singles Champion. She is currently ranked number one in the world in women’s singles tennis, making her the oldest player ever to hold that honor. Serena has endorsements with Gatorade, Wilson and her own line of products with Nike.

Sports endorsement

Not only is Michael 'Air' Jordan a sports legend! but also the face of arguably the most successful brand endorsement deal of all time.Since 1984 Nike’s subsidiary coproduced 27 basketball shoes with Michael Jordan. Last year, the U.S. Jordan Brand sneaker business alone had $1.25 billion in wholesale revenue. Although Michael Jordan himself isn’t playing anymore there are still active NBA players (Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul etc.) acting as Air Jordan ambassadors and supporting the brand’s huge success within the basketball industry. Whereas in the mid and late 80’s Converse and adidas were dominating the U.S. basketball shoe market, 30 years later it is the Jordan brand that is controlling 58% of it, followed by its parent company Nike (34%), adidas (5.5%), Reebok (1.6%) and Under Armour (0.6%).
Michael Jordan himself is still earning more than $80 million per year through corporate sponsorship deals and the majority of this income is related to his partnership with Nike. The current details of this deal are a well kept secret but royalties now generate more than $60 million annually for MJ, according to a Forbes article.