The Reach Out: Chris McKendry
When she isn't hosting ESPN's coverage of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, how does Chris McKendry stay active and fit?
Chris McKendry hosts ESPN’s coverage of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
As a Sportscenter anchor from 1996 to 2016, McKendry also hosted ESPN’s and ABC’s coverage of the Little League World Series, the Winter X Games, and X Games. She hosted ESPN’s coverage of the National Spelling Bee and served as a sideline reporter for ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC’s telecasts of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
I spoke with Chris McKendry about why maintaining a regular workout routine is so important to her.
Exercise is a huge part of my life. I try to work out every day and I like to mix it up. My go-to exercise throughout the pandemic was the Peloton. Chrissie Evert told me I would love it and she was right — I’m still hooked. It’s a great sweat and just an all-over good workout.
My favorite Peloton instructor is Cody Rigsby. He is just amazing. At the US Open last year, when I found out that Cody was there, I decided I wanted to try to meet him. Imagine being so excited about meeting your favorite Peloton instructor that you nearly miss your interview with Novak Djokovic!
Other than the Peloton, what other workouts do you like?
About five years ago, I started going for really long walks, often with a neighbor or friend. I find walking mentally refreshing and therapeutic. It’s also kinder to the body. I enjoy talking and bonding with friends while at the same time getting some exercise.
I also spend a lot of time golfing, skiing, and hiking. My older son is a rower, and during the pandemic, I started using a rowing machine (the “erg”).
Do you watch tennis or have music on while working out?
I watch a lot of sports, so people are always telling me about television shows that I “have to” watch. When the pandemic happened — and no sports to watch — I actually finished the entire “Schitt’s Creek” series during my erg workouts. The erg is super exercise, but it’s also very boring, so I enjoyed watching something light hearted and episodic while exercising.
If I’m on a long walk by myself, I will listen to music.
Do you exercise while on vacation?
Yes. Our friends introduced us to Park City, Utah, about a dozen years ago. It's a very active city. We ski in the winter and bike, hike, and play a lot of golf in the summer.
Wherever we travel, I always do a lot of walking. In Europe, you’re always sort of exercising because you’re walking all the time.
I’m not a “sit on the beach” person -- maybe for one day, but after a while, somebody in my family will inevitably say, “Ok, let’s get moving.”
Do you work out while covering Wimbledon or the Australian and US Opens?
Covering tournaments is when I tend to exercise the least. I’m often hosting for 15 hours straight, so I just don’t have time. Exercise is a huge part of my life, but if I miss a workout one day, I don’t beat myself up about it. I’ll do it the next day!
Do you wear a fitness monitor?
I actually don’t. The Peloton screen provides me with the information I want during a workout, like calorie burn or heart rate. I like to know that I'm hitting all the numbers that the instructors want me to hit. But I've never been one to track myself. My son wears a fitness monitor when he runs and rows, but I go by how my clothing is fitting.
What motivates you to be so disciplined about working out?
From the time I was a child, I’ve loved sports and been very active. It's kind of the rhythm of my life. Doing something physical every day has been a lifelong habit. I don't think I’d recognize myself without exercise! Even if I do only 20 minutes, I feel better mentally and physically. I just feel stronger.
You are very active already. Is there a fitness activity that you still might want to try?
Yes, I think I’d like to try Pickleball! Here in the northeast, we play something called Paddle in the winter. It was a perfect activity during the pandemic because it’s played outside on a court —a distance from other people. I’ve heard that Pickleball is quite a bit like Paddle, so I’d like to try it.
Thank you, @ChrisMcKendry
I hope you enjoy Pickleball as much as you love tennis, Paddle, and the Peloton.😀
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