Rob Sims had just sat down at his locker after the Detroit Lions’ OTA practice Tuesday when Dominic Raiola walked by with a friendly reminder. “Don’t forget, we’ve got pilates, man,” Raiola said. “On my way, bro,” Sims said. A few minutes later, after his linemate was out of earshot, Sims told a couple inquiring minds wondering whether two oversized football players really were spending their down time stretching that, yes, they heard right. “I hate it, too,” Sims said. “That’s why I’m like, yeah, ask me any questions you want to, because I frickin’ hate pilates.” For the past month, Sims and Raiola have spent two days a week at a West Bloomfield gym, going through a private, hourlong pilates workout in an effort to increase their flexibility and core strength. Sims, who has joined Raiola for atypical workouts before – during the NFL lockout two years ago, Sims, Raiola and former Lions guard Stephen Peterman supplemented their normal training regimen with kettlebell and rope workouts favored by several Detroit Red Wings – said he already has made gains in his ability to bend his knees and move his hips, thanks to pilates. “I’m not the most flexible person in the world, so when you go in there and do a lot of stretching, it’s agonizing,” Sims said. “A lot of abs. The lady that teaches it, she’s (tiny), so it’s something else. But it’s something I needed. Now, for me, it’s just fine-tuning little things and little things I have problems with, flexibility being one of those.” While Sims and Raiola are easily the most veteran players on an offensive line that will feature three new starters this year – Raiola is entering his 13th NFL season, Sims his eighth (and fourth with the Lions) – Sims joked that it’s just a coincidence their new exercise routine is making them feel young again. “I ain’t old,” said Sims, who turns 30 in December. “I’m in my prime, man.”
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:53:15 +0000
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