
Alana Beard, Washington Mystics
Even though she was the second overall
pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, Mystics guard Alana Beard has lived up to all of
the expectations. She just continues to get better every season and has grown
into a bona fide All-Star. So just how does this top athlete keep
her body in shape?
Rebekkah Brunson, Sacramento Monarchs
Even though Brunson earned her first All-Star Game appearance in 2007, success didn't happen overnight. To the contrary, the realization of her potential was the culmination of years and years of hard work on the court, as well as dedication off it.
Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
Fever forward Tamika Catchings, a two-time Defensive Player in the Year, has been called the most complete player by teammates and opponents alike and continues to get better. Her work ethic is second to none, and when she is not conducting clinics around the world, this perennial MVP candidate is in the gym herself.
Kayte Christensen, Chicago Sky
Sky
forward Kayte Christensen knows that the key to staying in shape is to be
active all year long. That is why she mixes up her fitness routine with lots of
football, beach volleyball and even a little bit of hoops.
Stacey Dales, Chicago
Sky
Sky forward Stacey
Dales is a broadcaster for ESPN in the offseason, but she still spends several
hours working out everyday to make sure those college kids never get the best
of her when they make it to the WNBA.
Helen Darling, San Antonio Silver Stars
Any new mom knows that getting back
to a fitness routine after the birth of a child is tough, but Helen Darling
has taken it to a whole other level. Just over a year after giving birth to
triplets, the 5-6 Darling was back in action on the hardwood.
Anna DeForge, Indiana
Fever
Fever guard Anna DeForge
worked her way back into the WNBA thanks to perseverence and a committment to
her game, a game that has elevated all the way to All-Star status.
Tamecka Dixon, Houston
Comets
Did you know that Comets
guard Tamecka Dixon loves the elliptical trainer and sprints but struggles
with running distance? Dixon shares her fitness secrets.
Katie Douglas, Connecticut Sun
Sun guard Katie Douglas had the best
season of her WNBA career in 2006 and even earned Most Valuable Player honors
in the 2006 All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The First Team All-Defense
honoree openly credits getting into better
shape for her ongoing improvement and includes working out as an essential
part of her routine.
Candice Dupree, Chicago Sky
Chicago Sky forward Candice Dupree became
the face of franchise essentially overnight, as the first ever draft pick for an expansion
franchise is often likely to do. But beyond the hype of the sixth overall selection
in the 2006 WNBA Draft, Dupree blossomed into an All-Star right away, and also
understands the role of health and fitness
in her life as a vital cog in her ultimate longevity.
Marie Ferdinand, San Antonio Silver Stars
San Antonio's 2005 season
all but ended when All-Star Marie Ferdinand
was lost with an injury and she missed the 2006 season due to pregnancy, but she is now back and as strong as ever. She talks about the
role of fitness and staying in shape as vital to her health and the durability
of her career.
Cheryl Ford, Detroit
Shock
Though she missed much of the 2007 season with a knee injury, Cheryl
Ford is a physical specimen in the paint who truly puts the "power"
in power forward. See what keeps her so strong down low.
Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs
Monarchs center Yolanda Griffith
does not like hearing that she was the oldest player in the WNBA in 2007, but
that is only because she knows she is still
in better shape and capable of performing at a higher level than most of her
competitors. Griffith has pondered retirement, but expect to see her back in the
purple again in 2008.
Becky Hammon, San Antonio Silver Stars
Silver Stars guard Becky Hammon just completed her ninth season in the WNBA, but many would argue that, at age 30, she’s just entering the prime of her career.
How does the All-Star stay in such phenomenal shape? Find out here.
Chamique Holdsclaw, Los Angeles Sparks
Did you know that Sparks forward
Chamique Holdsclaw is most
proud of her increase in stamina, hates running distance and enjoys a nice
piece of fish before games? Get the inside scoop on the All-Star's exercise habits.
Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm
After winning the 2003 and 2007 WNBA MVP awards
and the 2004 WNBA title, Lauren Jackson
is at the top of her game and THE game. Just think how scary it might be if she
could stay away from McDonalds. Hear just how one of the best players in the
game does it.
Asjha Jones, Connecticut Sun
Sun forward Asjha
Jones likes to fill up on pancakes before her games. Find out what other things
she does to stay in shape and keep her energy level at its highest.
Kara Lawson, Sacramento Monarchs
Monarchs guard Kara Lawson started working out in a little pink baby outfit when she was little. Is it any wonder how she became an All-Star in the WNBA?
Betty
Lennox, Seattle Storm
Storm guard
Betty Lennox is a self-proclaimed gym rat, but all of that time spent taking
care of herself and preparing for life as a professional basketball player finally
paid off as she won the 2004 WNBA Finals MVP award and a championship.
Kristen Mann, Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota's Kristen Mann faced the difficult
challenge of keeping her body in playing shape despite injuries and increasing
fatigue as a rookie. But as she continues to advance, Mann is hoping that
her offseason fitness regimen and strict
work ethic will enable her to play more minutes and make a greater contribution
to the success of the Lynx.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Los Angeles Sparks
WNBA veteran Taj McWilliams-Franklin is still one of the top post players in
the league, even at age 37. Read
on to find out how she stays in shape and which exercises she absolutely
dreads doing.
Deanna Nolan, Detroit Shock
Detroit's
Deanna Nolan knows that getting in shape does not happen overnight, but is
an ongoing process that takes months. It is this kind of dedication that keeps
her strong late in games and deep in the playoffs.
Ticha Penicheiro, Sacramento Monarchs
There is no way that anyone can
could tell that Sacramento Monarchs point guard Ticha Penicheiro is getting older.
She continues to dazzle fans, teammates and even the opposition with her playmaking
highlights. So how does this international superstar compete with all the new
kids coming into the league and stay
in as great shape as she does?
Nicole Powell, Sacramento Monarchs
After being traded to the Sacramento
Monarchs after her rookie season, forward Nicole
Powell felt she had something to prove. She has been working her tail off in the
offseason to come back even better.
Ruth Riley, San Antonio Silver Stars
Very few WNBA players, if anyone, work
harder than Silver Stars forward Ruth Riley. That is why she has been a winner
everywhere she has gone... from the championship at Notre Dame to the WNBA titles
and All-Star appearances with Detroit and an Olympic gold medal, you could do
much worse in terms of a role model than the 6-5 Indiana native.
Nykesha Sales,
Connecticut Sun
Age and experience has brought about a certain wisdom in forward Nykesha
Sales. As a veteran with the Connecticut Sun, Sales takes her fitness and personal health
very seriously both during the season as well as in the offseason.
Katie Smith, Detroit
Shock
Katie Smith is a WNBA champion and a member of the WNBA's All-Decade Team who
has won two Olympic gold medals and two World Championship golds while representing
the United States. But she hates running. How does she stay
in shape during the offseason?
Nikki Teasley,
Washington Mystics
Mystics guard Nikki Teasley
works out under water because it makes her faster on the basketball court. She
also trains out of the water, running on the treadmill and doing sit-ups to
stay fast.
Erin Thorn, New York
Liberty
Did you know that Liberty guard
Erin Thorn can run a very speedy mile when she's in peak condition? Find
out how fast Erin can run and other workout tips from the New York Liberty sharpshooter.
Tina Thompson, Houston
Comets
An All-WNBA forward, the leader of the U.S. Women's National Team and a full-time
mother? Houston Comets legend
Tina Thompson is doing something right about staying healthy and fit. Find
out more about her routine.
Adrian Williams,
Sacramento Monarchs
Monarchs center Adrian Williams is
looking to return to her 2003 All-Star form and is working hard to achieve her personal best level of fitness and
physical health.
Tamika Raymond,
Minnesota Lynx
Tamika Raymond of the Minnesota Lynx says that she really
started working out during her college days at Connecticut. Find out why
bench press and core work are a key part of her exercise regiment.
Sophia Young,
San Antonio Silver Stars
Second-year Silver Star Sophia Young hates running on a treadmill, but loves
sprints. Find out how the power forward stays
in tip-top physical condition to compete in the Western Conference.
Retired
WNBA Players Staying Fit
Sandy Brondello, WNBA legend
Sandy Brondello shares the secrets
of her fitness routine, from the exercises she likes and dislikes to her recovery
tactics and pregame eating habits.
Cynthia Cooper, WNBA legend
Houston's
Cynthia Cooper comes back year after year and remains one of the league's
top players because she takes care of her body. Learn what Coop does to stay in
top playing shape year-round.
Teresa Edwards, WNBA legend
Minnesota's
Teresa Edwards thinks that the best way to stay in shape in the offseason
is to keep playing basketball. However, she also cannot live without a cup of
coffee before games. Find out what else this former U.S. Olympian does to keep
her body in playing shape.
Allison Feaster, WNBA legend
Sting
forward Allison Feaster performed at the highest level for years and was
a WNBA All-Star thanks to her level of committment to her own personal fitness.
She can even do 40 push-ups in a row!
Ukari Figgs, WNBA legend
Former Houston Comets guard Ukari Figgs
shares the secrets of her fitness routine. So, bring on the elliptical walker
and leave those lemon squeezes at home. But keep those fried foods away. Figgs
says that "Being from the south, it’s kind of hard not to eat fried food. It’s
pretty tough ... "
Lisa Harrison, WNBA legend
Did you know that Lisa
Harrison listens to old-school slow jams while working out and reaches for
some fruit when she wants a healthy snack? Get the inside scoop on Harrison's
exercise habits.
Charlotte Smith, WNBA legend
Charlotte Smith-Taylor knows what it takes
to compete at the highest level. WNBA.com takes you inside
Smith-Taylor's fitness routine -- from pool exercises to post-lifting smoothies.
Teresa Weatherspoon, WNBA legend
WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon has
been out of the game for nearly two years now, but you wouldn't know it by looking
at her. Still solid as a rock,
the two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-WNBA selection
is still very active and plays basketball all the time.
Natalie Williams, WNBA legend
Did you know that Indiana Fever forward
Natalie Williams turns to
yoga and pilates for strength and balance? Get the inside scoop on the All-Star's
fitness routine.