Ruth Riley was a physical fitness champion back in her days as an elementary school student. Allen Einstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Very few WNBA players, if anyone, works harder than Shock 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.

Q. What's your favorite exercise for lower body?
"I find lunges the most beneficial."

Q. What's your favorite exercise for upper body?
"I don't have the guns that some of the other players in the league have, so I'm not the best person to ask… I just like to switch it up. With weight training, if you do the same thing everyday, you're going to get bored. I like to find new ways to work the same muscle groups."

Q. What's your favorite cardio exercise?
"I like to play volleyball in the offseason as well as anything from running to biking to spinning."

Q. What do you do to stay in shape during the offseason?
"Aside from volleyball, I also like to play tennis. That's always a good workout."

Q. What's your toughest fitness challenge?
"If you workout with a trainer, they are always going to find something to throw at you that you don't want to do. I hate doing incline sprints in a treadmill."

Q. Is there a fitness accomplishment you're most proud of?
"The only thing I can think of is all the way back to those presidential physical fitness tests. Remember those?"

Q. What advice would you give to someone who wanted to get into better shape for playing basketball?
"You have to be devoted to getting into better shape. That doesn't mean that you have to work out five hours a day. It just means that you have to put in the effort when you're working out and do it on a consistent basis."

Q. Is there a song/type of music that you listen to while you're working out?
"I switch it up depending on what I'm in the mood for. It could be country, rap, rock, gospel. There are some good country songs."

Q. Is there a fitness product on television that makes you laugh the most?
"Oh yeah. What is the thing they put on you that shocks you and is supposed to burn calories? I want to know how that replaces having to work out. I have no idea."

Q. Is there a certain food/meal that you like to eat before games or a favorite healthy snack??
"My usual pre-game meal is a grilled chicken salad. I eat pretty healthy. For snacks, I like fruit and vegetables. I stay away from the candy."

Q. When did you start working out and when were you (or are you now) in the best shape of your life?
"I started working out in high school, my freshman year. I'd say the best shape I've ever been in is pretty close to where I'm at right now."