When Takeru Kobayashi debuted at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2001, no one could fathom how a 110-pound man could consume 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes. Was it trickery? Magic? The answer was neither it was practice.
The world’s top competitive eaters train like professional athletes, mentally and physically preparing for the challenge. However, competitive eating is still a relatively new sport, so there isn’t a clear playbook for training.
Elite eaters like Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut, who recently broke his record for most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes, have spent years refining their techniques. “There aren’t any books on this,” Chestnut explains in Netflix’s Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef. “No trainers. It’s all trial and error.”
As with any sport, training involves more than just practicing the main event. “It’s like asking a cyclist who competes in the Tour de France—they do more than just ride a bike,” Chestnut said. Kobayashi agrees, adding, “I prepare my whole body, not just my eating skills.”
Want to know how these champions train for the big day? Here’s a breakdown of their top techniques.
Mastering Swallowing Techniques
According to Chestnut, efficient swallowing is crucial in competitive eating. To train his throat and chest muscles, He lies on a weight bench, lifts his head in a micro-sit-up, and takes three deep gulps of air.
He repeats the exercise on the way down. This practice helps him get used to swallowing in uncomfortable positions.
Expanding The Stomach With Water Training
Competitive eaters need to expand their stomachs to hold vast amounts of food. While genetics and experience play a role, nothing works better before a contest than water. Kobayashi often drinks three gallons of water before competing to bloat his stomach to the necessary size.
The “Beanie Baby” Technique
Chestnut describes himself as a “Beanie Baby” during competitions, using his hands to press food down into his stomach to make room for more. He practices this technique regularly to execute it swiftly during high-pressure moments.
Breathing Exercises For Efficiency
Kobayashi emphasizes the importance of controlled breathing while eating. He practices by placing his lips over a water bottle and taking short, quick breaths until all the air is gone. This prepares him for the awkward task of inhaling while his mouth is full.
Chestnut, on the other hand, focuses on nose breathing. “You can’t breathe through your mouth while eating,” he says. “I exhale and swallow, swallow, then inhale and continue the cycle. It’s about maintaining a rhythm.”
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Throat Relaxation Techniques
Chestnut regularly works on widening his mouth to increase food intake. He gently pushes Adam’s apple down with his hands, training his throat to open as wide as possible, allowing him to consume larger bites.
Strengthening The Tongue
Kobayashi stretches his tongue, which may look unusual but is critical for speed. “The tongue has to move quickly,” he explains. To enhance his speed, he performs frequent tongue stretches to build strength.
Building Jaw Power With Mouth Workouts
Chestnut strengthens his jaw with unique exercises like chewing on a custom-made squishy ball. “I simulate eating to condition the muscles that push food down,” he explains. He also lifts weights with his mouth by pulling up a sandbag, working the muscles that will help move pounds of food.
Practice Makes Perfect
Despite their unique training methods, Chestnut and Kobayashi agree that eating is the best way to prepare for a contest. “Runners need to run; eaters need to eat,” says Chestnut.
He advises aspiring eaters to practice with their favorite food. “It’s easier to eat a lot of food you enjoy while learning how your body responds. Once you’re comfortable, you can start pushing your limits.”
Preparation is key in the world of competitive eating. These top athletes have developed intricate routines to maximize their performance, turning what once seemed impossible into routine success.
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