From everyday enthusiasts to esports professionals, the gaming industry surged in 2020. This growth also increased competition, challenging esports' premier athletes and novice gamers alike to find ways beyond the screen to level up their play.
Enter Jasper Schellens, a fitness trainer and gamer who is shedding light on how gamers can sharpen their competitive edge with a healthy and active IRL lifestyle. In my opinion, both mental and physical wellness are very important in the competitive world of esports, he told For the Record. Not only is it important to be on top of your game for hours on end, you have to be mentally strong to withstand the pressure from outside.
Jasper, who is a fitness coach for the professional esports organization FaZe Clan, looks at the gamers he works with like any other sport's class of elite athletes. A lot of pro gamers are actually very talented athletes inside and outside of the game, says Jasper. They're driven and understand that hard work leads to improvement.
Still, you don't need to belong to the upper echelons of the esports community to reap the benefits of a fitness routine-Jasper is looking to show that any gamer, even beginners, can improve their virtual performance by taking care of their physical and mental health. Jasper is even teaming up with YouTuber and Twitch streamer Marcella de Bie for a livestream workout class.
For Marcella, wellness encompasses more than just consistent trips to the gym. She says getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep, staying hydrated, and taking time to unwind are essential to keeping a healthy mindset, which is key for gaming. I find it very important to be in a good mental state when playing or streaming games, she says. You can't sit behind a PC for hours a day without doing something that calms your mind and helps you relax.
If you're looking to take control of your fitness, it doesn't need to begin with a top-to-bottom lifestyle overhaul. Gaming sessions can be long and intense, so Jasper recommends trying to get up and move around every 30 minutes to an hour when possible. This is a good tip for players and really anyone who may be working from home and spending a lot of time in front of a screen. Outside of gaming, the coach suggests committing to at least 30 active minutes daily, like a long walk or easy jog, while tuned in to Jasper's favorite gaming podcasts, The CouRage and Nadeshot Show or Mom's Basement.
If you're ready to up the intensity, Jasper gave For the Record a few gamer-specific workout tips. Gamers tend to lean forward, especially when it comes to clutch moments, he says. So some exercises and stretches that allow you to work on your posture are very important. Try Jasper's suggestions: Loosen up with some stretches like child's pose, cat-cow pose, and neck retraction. Next, he suggests some gym exercises like:
Face pulls: One of the best exercises to train your rear deltoids which can be a huge factor to good posture. I'd recommend it on a cable machine with a rope attachment. Another fun way to try is with a barbell, using a very wide grip to pull the bar directly to your face.
Pull-Ups: A staple back exercise which will help with overall back development! There are a ton of variations that help you target different parts of the back. I recommend doing a wider or neutral grip to start off with-assisted if needed!
Reverse Fly: Another great exercise for the rear delts & lower trapezius. You can do this exercise with a cable or dumbbells.
Behind every great workout is a high-energy, heart-pumping playlist. Jasper likes to break a sweat to Tiesto and NF, with an emphasis on inspiring lyrics to soundtrack his bigger lifts. Marcella focuses on rhythm, preferring to listen to hip-hop and hardstyle EDM tracks when she's gaming and exercising.
Ready to get your heart rate up? On Sunday January 24 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET, join Jasper (http://twitch.tv/xfazejasper) and Marcella (http://twitch.tv/nysira) on Twitch for a livestream workout.
Find new music for gaming or your workout routine with Jasper's takeover of our Start Select playlist, which sits alongside an ever-growing platform of curated gaming playlists, gaming-centric podcasts, and Original Game Soundtracks as part of Spotify's Gaming Hub.
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
11/06/2026
First in new line of muted string libraries
VSL have just announced the launch of two new string libraries that represent the first two instalments in a new...
11/06/2026
New colour option for 61-key Launchkey MK4
At Superbooth 2025, Novation introduced the Launchkey Mini 37 White and Launchkey 49 White, bringing an additiona...
11/06/2026
Larger, but still compact!
Arturia's popular compact MIDI controller keyboard is now available in a, well, slightly less compact version! The new MiniLa...
11/06/2026
Eurosatory 2026: Rohde & Schwarz shapes the new-generation battlefield Rohde & Schwarz unveils next generation SIGINT/EW and CUAS solutions on uncrewed system...
11/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz unveils NEMACS - Directional, ultra secure connectivity for the ...
11/06/2026
Thursday 11 June 2026
Daisy May Cooper rallies the nation ahead of ICC Women's T20 World CupTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy options and...
11/06/2026
Summer solstice shows from C il House and Late Date from 9pm on Saturday 20 Jun...
10/06/2026
Get Hands-On with Interfaces & Mic Preamp Brands
If youre after a new interface or preamp, then GearExpo UK is the place to be! Well have a whole host of au...
10/06/2026
November 13-14 2026, The Midway, San Francisco
Following their recent rebranding, MONO Music Conference (formerly Music Expo) have officially announced thei...
10/06/2026
Debut instrument free for limited time
deFORM is the debut release from newly founded developer ebbandflow, and it's being offered as a free download fo...
10/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz and TRUMPF advance laser-based drone defense with THORIS LCS Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing THORIS at ILA 2026: A sovereign, end to end counter...
10/06/2026
MAHLE and Rohde & Schwarz develop application for sensor testing of modern drive...
10/06/2026
10 Jun 2026
VEON's Banglalink Brings Every World Cup 2026 Match to Football...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
How to watch every ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match live on Sky Sports
Where is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 availabl...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
P RLA brings first-ever Beautifully Clean Oral Care'...
10/06/2026
Wednesday 10 June 2026
Sky reveals pulse-pounding first teaser trailer for upco...
10/06/2026
Wuppertal June 10, 2026
Riedel Artist at the Heart of the 14th World Live Neurovascular ConferenceAt the 14th World Live Neurovascular Conference (WLNC) in Li...
09/06/2026
Last month, Spotify hosted PURE FLOWERS LIVE, a special event celebrating the re...
09/06/2026
Last month, RADAR U.K. artist Skye Newman took the stage in East London for a sp...
09/06/2026
Company to cease operating on 30 June 2026
Australian loudspeaker and amplifier manufacturer Wayne Jones Audio have announced that after much consideration,...
09/06/2026
Increases low-end weight and character
The latest plug-in release from Sheffield-based fedDSP aims to offer an all-in-one solution for users in search of mo...
09/06/2026
Introduces AI Studio Assistant, Moises Studio integration & more
Fender Studio have just announced the launch a significant update that brings an array of n...
09/06/2026
The BBC has found its Hercule Poirot.
After Deadline revealed last month that t...
09/06/2026
Filming to take place in Holmfirth
9th June 2026, London: U&GOLD is heading bac...
09/06/2026
X-Rite Pantone Launches Offset360 to Modernize Color Control Across Existing Pre...
09/06/2026
09 Jun 2026
VEON Appoints Serkan Ozturk as Chief of Staff & Strategy Officer Dubai and New York, June 9, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital oper...
09/06/2026
Tuesday 9 June 2026
Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, a candid and unfiltered accou...
09/06/2026
Enni Continues to Rely on Arvato Systems - And Will Be Using AEP.EnerS4 Billing Solution
Arvato Systems to implement transformation project for SAP S/4HANA Ut...
09/06/2026
These special programmes will highlight RT 's connection with the Irish diaspora
This year, RT is marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland with...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Plus, 20% off TVs ahead of kick-offMonday 8 June 2026
Sky introduces Real Time...
08/06/2026
FOX Secures Live NFL Game Package in Mexico Starting in Fall 2026 Agreement Features Thursday Night Football, Sunday Games Package, Thanksgiving Day Games, al...
08/06/2026
FOX One, FOX Sports and Indeed Name Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto as FOX One C...
08/06/2026
Meet us on the show floor
Stand #286310 Discover Nara, the media management tool used by major facilities including Harbor and Molinare.
Nara v2 introduces re...
08/06/2026
L'art de l'Image dans Reflet dans un diamant mort' Une conversation avec le directeur de la photographie Manuel Dacosse, SBC et l' talonneur Pe...
08/06/2026
Embracing today's modern media workflows: FilmLight presents Nara 2.0, with FilmLight API Designed to support the growing demands of today's production ...
08/06/2026
Moderated by Andy Minuth, FilmLight's Colour Workflow Specialist
Wednesday 18 February
6:00pm / Doors open
7:00pm / Presentation in German
8:00pm / Drin...
08/06/2026
Join us on April 14 at 10:00am for a technical roundtable with the Filmlight dev...
08/06/2026
You're invited to FLAPI Classroom The fundamentals of coding and machine-assisted development
These sessions will help you build the skills needed to cre...
From everyday enthusiasts to esports professionals, the gaming industry surged in 2020. This growth also increased competition, challenging esports' premier athletes and novice gamers alike to find ways beyond the screen to level up their play.
