NFL Combine 2015
The NFL Combine can significantly increase the draft position of a prospect. Reuters

Nick Winkelman, director of performance education at EXOS, has a very busy schedule ahead of the NFL scouting combine this weekend. EXOS' previous clients have included Robert Griffin III, Dontari Poe, J.J. Watt, Aldon Smith, Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Odell Beckham Jr. and Trent Richardson, to name a few. Winkleman's training philosophy is preparing prospects to become professionals. With millions of dollars riding on the difference between a great and weak performance at the combine, training is critical. Ahead of the 2015 NFL combine, Winkelman offers some tips on how you can train like an elite prospect.

"While this process is meant for acute results -- performing well at the combine -- at the same time it's really meant to prepare [college athletes] for the NFL. Globally speaking, we're trying to empower athletes with strategies needed to successfully transition from being a player of football to a professional athlete," Winkleman said. It goes beyond speed drills, lifting weights or improving your vertical. How you sleep, how you eat as well as how and when you train are all things a prospect coming out of college has to think about going into the combine.

Winkleman's training program focuses on "four pillars" -- mindset, nutrition, movement and recovery -- to achieve optimal results. Each athlete gets a dedicated staff of trainers, from nutritionists to media coaches and pretty much everything else. It is all monitored in real-time.

So, are you ready to train like you're going to the NFL Combine? Here's a sample regimen, courtesy of Winkleman and EXOS. Each day, the athletes also have physical therapy and massages. Other activities including media training and Wonderlic test prep.

Monday

  • 40-yard-dash speed training - 0-20-yard sprint training for start and acceleration (60 minutes)
  • Weight training - lower body "explosive power" workout using resistance equipment (30 minutes)
  • 40-yard-dash speed training - 20-40-yard sprint training for "absolute speed" (30 minutes)
  • Weight training - "maximal" lower body exercise, doing a "safety squat" (60 minutes)

Tuesday

  • Corrective exercises to improve movement (30 minutes)
  • Bench press workout with an emphasis on speed lifting (60 minutes)
  • Player position workout
  • Agility Drills (5-10-5) (45 minutes)
  • Upper body workout to improve conditioning for the bench press and body fat reduction (45 minutes)

Wednesday

Thursday

  • Corrective exercises to improve movement (30 minutes)
  • Bench press workout with an emphasis on heavy lifting (60 minutes)
  • Player position workout
  • L-drill for agility (45 minutes)
  • Upper body workout - timed tricep, bicep and shoulder exercises (30 - 45 minutes)

Friday

  • 40-yard-dash speed training - 0-20-yard sprint training for start and acceleration (60 minutes)
  • Weight training - lower body "explosive power" workout using resistance equipment including squats and jumping (30 minutes)
  • 40-yard-dash speed training - 20-40-yard sprint training for "absolute speed" (30 minutes)
  • Weight training - "maximal" lower body exercise using a trap bar (60 minutes)