"The best thing is to push yourself to the limit," says Pondexter. "Because if you’re not working hard, somebody else is.” Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images

WNBA.com spoke recently with Pondexter to get her take on how she stays healthy and in shape playing her demanding year-round schedule of basketball.

Dot-com: So, Cappie, yesterday was an off day for you and the Mercury. How do you work out on your off days during the season?

CP: "Usually I try to work on my footwork and take a lot of jump shots."

Dot-com: What do you focus on during the offseason? Do things change?

CP: "I do cardio, but most of the time I like to do basketball-related stuff, playing with the guys."

Dot-com: Really? Why do you play with the guys?

CP: "Because they are generally faster and quicker on the court. It makes you become smarter on the court, so I like to play against them. They are aggressive and keep my cardio going."

Dot-com: What is your favorite cardio exercise?

CP: "I like the (stationary) bike."

Dot-com: What about lifting weights? Are you big time into that as well?

CP: "No, I don't like lifting as much, just light stuff, usually with dumbbells."

Dot-com: What is your favorite lower body exercise?

CP: "I like doing squats."

Dot-com: What about upper body?

CP: "It has to be the dumbbell bench press."

Dot-com: Is there one exercise you hate doing that you need to force yourself to do?

CP: "Running long distance on a track. I really hate it, but I know it is good for endurance so I have to force myself sometimes."

Dot-com: Is there a song or kind of music you like to listen to when you are working out?

CP: "For me it doesn't matter as long as it's not slow. I can go from soft rock, hard rock, hip hop, R&B, pop, whatever."

Dot-com: Are there any artists in particular who really get you going?

CP: "No, there's no artist in particular. I do like Creed, though. I grew up on that in college. I like listening to Jay-Z, Nas, those kinds of guys."

Dot-com: Is there a healthy meal or type of food that you like when you're focusing on healthy eating?

CP: "I like breakfast. I love egg whites. I don't eat yolk. I hate yolk. So in restaurants I ask for egg whites, and if they don't have them it dampens my whole mood. I like bacon."

Dot-com: What is the biggest challenge for you fitness-wise?

CP: "Keeping my body fat percentage (low) has to be the biggest challenge."

Dot-com: How do you achieve that?

CP: "Cardio, eating smaller portions and making sure I am eating breakfast."

Dot-com: Is there a fitness product on TV that you think is ridiculous and makes you laugh?

CP: "Yes, when they have all these dietary supplements to help you lose weight. I was in Walgreens the other day and they had something like for $59.99 and to refill it, it was like $69.99. Are you serious? People try to take the easy way out. But if you do it right and if it's going to stick, it takes a while for you to get where you want to be. I think the best thing is to do it the right way."

Dot-com: What advice would you give to a young basketball player who wants to get in better shape to play?

CP: "The best thing is to push yourself to the limit. When you think you are going hard, go a little bit more and work that hard everyday. Because if you're not working hard, somebody else is."