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What was the secret to Gabe Norwood’s longevity?
From his time at George Mason University, to his 18-year PBA career with the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, the hardwood has been a second home for Gabe Norwood.
But how exactly did Gabe last so long as a basketball player? Here are some fitness and training hacks that he shared with The GAME.
A premium on flexibility
With a lean six-foot-six frame, Gabe shares that he was born a naturally flexible person, a strength that he made sure to build on throughout his career. Given this, a key part of Gabe’s preparations centered more on stretching, pre-game muscle activation, and “concentrated” post-game cool downs, to name a few.
“Part of it was God-gifted. I think I was born a pretty flexible person, which helped prevent a lot of injuries and maybe movements where guys to get hurt a lot,” Gabe explained. “You know? To go through a whole career and not have any major surgery is pretty rare.”
“I think that was kind of like my focus…as I got older, it was kind of re-emphasizing my strengths, which is that I was never the most physically strong no matter how much I lifted. It was getting to a place where I could feel and play stronger, but I also didn’t want to feel heavy.”
In order to keep his mobility intact, Gabe also implemented a strict weight limit, making sure to have enough muscle without trading off his natural strengths.
“I got to point out that I came into the league weighing right around the same as when I retired,” Gabe said. “So for my body fluctuation, putting on six to eight pounds is a lot more to carry just because my body wasn’t used to it, but I would never lose more than the same.”
“So I found a pretty good sweet spot for me that was injury preventive, but also allowed me to be as athletic and mobile as I could.”
The Rain or Shine lifer also had a dedicated post-game massage, sharing, “I’d usually get a massage the day after [a game]. That was pretty much it, as I got older, it was more rest, recovery, and strengthening.”
No fixed diet, but…
Pro athletes often have this notion of sticking to strict diets. In the case of Gabe Norwood, it all boils down to discipline, making sure that he gets all the needed nutrients come game day.
“Game day, I eat pretty light. Depending on if it’s first game or second day, I sleep in a little bit, but I’ll usually have brunch,” Gabe said. “I won’t have a heavy meal. Like I said, I’m on the lighter side, but I like to eat a little bit later, probably closer to 11 or [12 noon].”
“Black coffee and then a super light…maybe omelette, or light sandwich. I’ll eat really heavy after the game.”
Gabe, though, admits trying out diet trends in the past.
“When juicing was big, I was big on juicing everything and getting my fruits and vegetables that way. But also, I did the pescetarian diet for a while; just strictly seafood, no pork, beef, chicken, which I actually enjoyed. But other than that, no strict diet for me.”
Ultimately, it’s a matter of eating (and drinking) responsibly, with Gabe also drinking alcohol recreationally, along with indulging in fatty meats such as beef and pork.
“I did it for a while [no beef and pork], and then I think the holidays hit at one point and it was hard to turn back,” Gabe said on his meaty diet.
A pre-game nap
The last of Gabe’s training hacks involve a pre-game nap, a tried-and-tested routine by many top athletes. Notable examples include NBA stars like Bam Adebayo, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I’d say I’d wake up and give myself an hour to get ready before I leave. So depending on what our game time was, if my call time is at three-o-clock, I’d have my light meal, take a little power nap, a 30-minute or 45-minute power nap, and then make my way over to the arena,” Gabe says of his power nap.
Given the fitness and training hacks that he shared, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gabe Norwood lasted this long on the hardcourt.
Happy retirement, Gabe!
Images by Kieran Punay/KLIQ Inc.