Renowned YouTuber and exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel has never shied away from critiquing the workout routines of celebrities, including elite NFL athletes.
Whether it’s actors trying to look jacked for a movie or pros training for peak performance, he breaks it all down with no filter.
He’s worked as a D1 strength and conditioning coach and reviewed a few training programs, giving him the credibility to call out what works and what doesn’t. So naturally, he didn’t hold back when critiquing Patrick Mahomes’ workout routine.
Dr. Mike Israetel Critiques Patrick Mahomes’ Training
In a Men’s Health video, Patrick Mahomes was seen training with his fitness coach Bobby Stroupe, who says he’s worked with Mahomes since fourth grade.
When Bobby states Mahomes’ training goal is “winning the Super Bowl,” Dr. Mike Israetel immediately challenges it: “That’s not a training goal. That’s an outcome goal. A training goal would be something like, get strong, or get jacked, or get fast, or anything in between.”
Next, Israetel critiques a sit-up drill where Mahomes throws a football mid-motion. Bobby explains it’s to help him use his body from the waist up. Israetel responds, “This guy doesn’t need to be taught how to move. He already knows how to move from probably 18 years of football, and being born perfect.”
Additionally, he calls out a medball granny toss meant to develop hip extension. Bobby says it helps with power, but Israetel dismisses it: “He knows how to do that.”
He also reacts to a drill designed to improve spine flexibility. Bobby cues Mahomes to “throw his hips through his head,” but Israetel notes Mahomes only gains about three inches of movement, “something even an elderly woman can do.”
Also, when Bobby showcases hurdle bounds to boost Mahomes’ coordination and timing, Israetel pushes back once more: “Patrick does not need help with coordination and timing. These are in like athletic properties that’s barely even possible to train. You just evolve with them.”
Israetel makes it clear that elite athletes like Mahomes don’t need flashy drills. Rather, they need training that’s hard, smart, and purpose-driven.
How Israetel Would Train NFL Players
After calling out the flashy drills in Mahomes’ training, Dr. Mike Israetel explained what actually works for NFL athletes. And according to him, it’s not complicated or trendy. It’s effective, proven basics.
“The real way to train American football players for maximum effect… is to mostly have them do compound barbell movements.” That includes exercises like shoulder pressing, squatting, stiff-legged deadlifting, power cleans, and mid-thigh pulls. These movements build raw strength and explosive power. Two essentials on the field.
But it doesn’t stop with the barbell. Israetel also emphasizes “weighted jumps, medicine ball throws, all sorts of other jumps, hops, quick sprints, high knees, so on and so forth.”
He admits it might not look exciting: “Sounds like boring. You probably did in middle school, I know, but that’s the stuff that works the best.”
What Strength Coaches Should Actually Focus On
Dr. Mike Israetel believes strength and conditioning coaches often miss the mark. It should “all start with athletes that have given genetic ability to move athletically,” which doesn’t change much if they’ve stayed active. So instead of wasting time “teaching movement,” coaches should build on what’s already there.
He says the real job is to “make your athletes bigger… make them stronger… teach them to move rapidly and produce high force at the same time, which is power.” That’s the key variable in football performance.
Mobility and injury resilience? Important, but “you should be building them through full range of motion with compound heavy barbell.”
He sums it up clearly: “It’s 97% your job.” Get that right, and “whatever athletic talent… your athletes had is going to multiply that power.”
Dr. Mike Israetel says NFL athletes should leverage heavy compound lifts, explosive drills, and smart programming. Strength coaches should focus on building size, strength, and power to unlock an athlete’s full potential.
Also Read: Jason Kelce Shows His Post-NFL Weight Loss Journey That Helped Him Lose 30 lbs
Visit Site