Work Out Like a Boston Athlete

Develop the physique and stamina of the NBA’s Kevin Garnett (or close to it) by mixing up your exercise routine

For longtime NBA fans, you just have to wonder: How long has the Boston Celtic’s Kevin Garnett been playing in the pros?  Try 17 years.  With the average age of an NBA player hovering around 26, Garnett, who turns 36 this year, is definitely approaching senior status by professional basketball standards.

And if statistics are to be believed, he should have retired his No. 5 jersey a while ago. According to a study published in The Wall Street Journal , NBA players reach their peak at the age of 25. After that, they can count on their performance going downhill.

Yet Garnett, power forward for the Celtics, not only is in the game … he’s still at the top of his game. In a recent contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Garnett tied as the Celtics’ leading scorer at 23 points. Though the Celtics lost that game, Garnett is proving that he remains a major contender.

OK … so how does he do it?

Like other outstanding Boston athletes (think the Patriots’ Tom Brady), Garnett relies on a diversified workout routine to stay in top form. He incorporates yoga, weight training and a 3-mile run on the beach — five days a week — to stay fit, according to an interview with Men’s Health Magazine.

If you’ve only been focusing on weight training, maybe it’s time for you to reconsider and reconfigure your exercise routine. If don’t have easy access to a sandy beach for that run, there are plenty of diverse routines you can incorporate into your daily workout to achieve optimal results. Start with these 3 routines for starters, making sure you regularly mix it up.

3 Essentials for Your Pro Athlete Workout Routine:

Aerobics — When choosing exercise equipment that provides multiple benefits, ellipticals are often considered among the best in the gym for providing a low-impact yet effective workout. According to Dr. Edward Laskowski of the Mayo Clinic, elliptical machines, depending upon your workout routine, may offer some advantages over treadmills. For one, elliptical machines are considered less stressful on your joints. They also typically feature movable parts (like ski poles) for an upper body workout. An added benefit? According to the American Council on Exercise, these low impact machines will have you burning about eight to nine calories every minute.

Yoga/Stretching — For flexibility – and to avoid injury – stretching is an essential component of a workout routine that many personal trainers recommend for their clients. Obviously, it is one that Garnett takes seriously as he has taken it to the next level through yoga. Why yoga? In the book “Real Men Do Yoga,” Garnett, a practitioner of yoga for more than 15 years, says the ancient practice helps him focus and improves his flexibility. If you’re willing to take that step to gain a competitive edge, check out a few local classes to add yoga or Pilates into your routine.

Weight training — Conditioning coaches for the NBA’s Celtics, Bryan Doo and Walter Norton Jr., take the team’s athletes through a warm up routine before hitting the weights for resistance training. The coaches say it is important that the weight training, which is scheduled two to three times a week, is highly individualized for each player. For the Celtics, a typical athlete’s workout routine will include an overhead dumbbell press, chin-ups, squats and hip extensions — along with more individualized exercises. To make sure you’re properly training through the correct form and exercising according to your personal needs, get a few tips from an exercise professional first.

As always, it is recommended that you check with your physician before starting a strenuous exercise routine.

Ty Cobb, who blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands, enjoys spending her time keeping up with the latest innovations in health, fitness and positive lifestyle changes.