Workout Like a Pro

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“How are you feeling right now?”

“Out of shape,” says Jackson. “Took two months off. This is my first week back.” He adds, “Taking a month off as an athlete is like taking four months off for a regular person.” Up until his seventh year in the NBA, Jackson, who has missed his share of games over the years due to serious injuries, says he would hit the gym right after a long season. Now in his 10th year, he feels it’s wiser to take it easy just long enough for the body to heal and avoid injuries. But still, at age 34, he faces the challenge of getting back in peak condition. He experiments with different forms of exercise — most recently, Bikram, the kind of yoga that is done in near-sauna conditions. “Gotta keep up with the young guys now,” he notes wryly.

Jackson often brings his 11-year-old son to practice, and this morning, the boy is more inclined to watch from the sidelines than practice. Barnes, 27, who has been training with Biancani since he was a football star in high school, takes a moment to try to instill some work ethic in the younger Jackson. “You oughta be out there shooting, dribbling and rebounding, not just sitting there. You think you’re getting better right now? Your dad’s a professional athlete. You’ve got a head start on everyone else. You oughta take advantage of that.”

I ask Biancani what makes the difference between a professional athlete and the rest of us mortals. His answer echoes what Barnes said just moments earlier. “There’s genetic ability, and there’s work ethic. There’s no substitute for work ethic. Look at Bobby here. He wouldn’t still be in the game if he didn’t work so hard. And Matt, he’s worked really hard and is finding himself a good job.” In fact, Barnes is a free agent and, after his stellar and clutch performance in the recent postseason and coupled with his ability to play all five positions on the court, is looking for a serious upgrade in pay.

After the workout, Barnes takes his leave, and Jackson faces another taskmaster, this time with a bit less enthusiasm. Nida Tansinsin is his diminutive physical therapist who’s helping him rebound from a strained ankle. When Jackson tires of this second workout session, Tansinsin chides him with names like “Lady” and “Sunshine,” which he pretends to ignore. Eventually, he arrives at the part of therapy he actually likes. She rubs and flexes his ankle while he lies back and listens to tunes on his phone. He sings along, badly, and without a hint of self-consciousness.

Biancani Fitness and Physical Therapy
4551 Gateway Park, Suite D, Sacramento, Calif.
(916) 419-6066
biancanifitness.com

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