Mercury 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.
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Christensen shows off those firm arms of hers. Barry Gossage/WNBAE/Getty Images
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I like to do Olympic Lifts. It’s a combo. It helps your upper and lower body. You can control the amount of weight to build mass or tone. I like it because it transfers over to the court in rebounding. I am explosive when I rebound and this helps me jump for loose balls.
Do you have a favorite cardio exercise?
I like to run outdoors and look at the things while I run. I try to do intervals in my running with spurts of quickness and speed and then lulls as well.
Is there an exercise that you hate, that you have to force yourself to complete?
I dislike stadiums. That is when you go to a football stadium and run up or hop up every stairs.
Is there a fitness accomplishment you're most proud of?
I think reaching a certain weight, because last year, when I came into the season, I was overweight. That's not usually me, and this year, I had to make sure I stayed toned and thin because I didn't want it to catch up with me in the long run.
Is there any fitness goal you're working towards?
Really just to be in the best shape that I can be. When I'm on the court, I don't want to get tired. If my team needs me out there at a certain point, I don't want to be tired or unable to perform.
How do you stay motivated?
I try to do something active everyday. I try to make it fun. I either play football or beach volleyball. The offseason is so long so it is difficult to stay motivated.
What does the offseason routine consist of?
I lift four times a week plus I do an individual workout 3 to 5 times a week and try to play basketball as much as possible.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to get into better shape for playing basketball?
You need to watch what you eat. If you are out of shape do just workout for 30 min, you need to workout for an 1 or 2 hrs. Be active everyday no just once and awhile.
Do you listen to any type of music to motivate you while working out?
I don’t listen to music when I workout. I sometimes watch television.
Is there a fitness product that you've seen on TV. that makes you laugh the most?
The stimulus equipment that you hook up to your body that is supposed to give you tone and muscles without doing any work.
Is there a specific food you like to eat before games or after working out?
Before games I eat something light. Like tuna fish or turkey burgers. My weakness is red meat… I really don’t think it is a weakness, though. I like yogurt, string cheese and wheat thins.
How has your fitness routine changed? Did you start early on and when doyou think you were in the best shape of your life?
I was always an active child. I believe last year I was in the best shape of my life. I dropped at lot of weight and very little, if any, body fat. My routine for fitness has not changed.
