Over the past several seasons, Reese has embarked on a journey toward physical fitness for several reasons. “I looked back at my competitive history, and realized that I did better on the water when I was in good shape,” said the three time BASS winner. “I also realized that I'm turning 40 this year, and I don't want to look like my friends who decided they had nothing to live for anymore and turned all gray haired and fat,” he remarked with a laugh.
Several years ago, he devoted his off season regimen to cardio, running several miles a day on a treadmill in his northern California home. The approach has served him well, as he has spent the past three seasons as one of the most consistent and dominating anglers on tour. But, after seeing the results one of his wife's cousins had shown after returning home from the 2008 Elite Series campaign, he had to ask.
“He's a younger guy, in his mid to late 20's, and he'd been a pretty big guy,” said the BASS millionaire. “He walked in the door, and I asked him what the hell he had done, because he had gotten really lean, and had some big guns stretching at his sleeves. He told me that he had done the P90X Workout, and I laughed because I had seen the workout about two years ago, but had not done it.”
That one meeting was enough for Reese; he opened the materials and went to work. “It's a different workout than I thought it would be, and it is effective,” he revealed. “It combines resistance training with Kenpo Karate, Plyometrics, stretching and even a little Yoga thrown in; it's much tougher than I ever imagined.”
“I laughed when I first thought of doing Yoga, I mean that's a chick work out,” said Reese laughing. “Until I did a session, then Kim was laughing at me like I was some sort of idiot; I was drenched in sweat.” He also said he has a lot of respect for the Plyometrics routine. “Anyone who can do a full hour of plyo' has my respect; that stuff is a butt buster, I'm lucky to get through half of it before I'm totally sucking wind.”
All of that activity proves to be somewhat entertaining in the Reese home. “My girls think I'm funny,” he said of working out in front of his daughters. “They think Daddy is making all sorts of funny moves, but at least they'll know that exercising is important for me; it helps me set an example for them for later in life.”
As the New Year turns, Reese said he has seen some tremendous results from his dedication, and his new six day program. “I've developed some pain in my upper back over the past couple of seasons, and that is gone,” he said. “I can also tell I've put on a lot more lean muscle, and built up my strength and stamina as well. I've got about a month until the Classic and I'll keep it up as long as I can, it's one way I can make sure I'm sharp and ready to fish at my peak all year long.”
“I set a goal this off season to be in the best shape of my life when I turned 40, and I'm well on my way toward reaching it,” said Reese. “There are definite benefits professionally and personally; I'm really looking forward to the season.”
Skeet Reese is a Bassmaster Elite Series pro, the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year with career earnings that total more than $1.5 million. Reese has qualified for 10 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and has finished in the top 10 40 times, including three wins in BASS competition in an 11 year career. Reese is a 39-year-old California native who resides in Auburn , Calif. with his wife Kim, and two daughters; Leamarie and Courtney.
