The Reach Out: Scott Hanson
If you've seen him on NFL RedZone, you know Scott Hanson has a lot of energy. What is his exercise and fitness routine?
Scott Hanson is the host of NFL RedZone each Sunday, “delivering the touchdowns and most exciting moments live and in high definition” as they happen.
Hanson also serves as an on-location host for NFL Network’s coverage of such events as the Super Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Draft, and during free agency.
Hanson joined NFL Media as a national reporter in 2006, where he covered league-wide stories and all 32 teams.
I spoke with Scott Hanson about why staying active is so important to him.
You have a lot of energy on television. Do you have a regular exercise routine?
I really believe in physical fitness. I think that keeping your body in good shape helps to keep your mind, spirit, and attitude in good shape.
Matthew McConaughey once said in an interview that he doesn’t really have an exercise routine — his only goal is to break a sweat every day. When I heard that, I thought it was simple, yet profound. Raise your heart rate every day. Do something active every day. You've only got one body, so you should treat it well.
So I try to hit the gym or do something active six days a week with a rest day on Sunday. I aim for four days of cardio and two days of cardio mixed with weight training. I played college football at Syracuse and I’m still using some of the weightlifting techniques that I learned back then. I may be past getting six-pack abs, but I believe in keeping my heart and lungs as finely tuned as possible.
What motivates you to maintain a regular exercise and fitness routine?
Hosting a seven hour television show requires not just mental fitness but also physical fitness. I want to have the same energy and passion in the last hour as I have in the first. So when I’m on the Elliptical or treadmill in June, I'm always thinking ahead to those hours on NFL Red Zone — in September, October, November, and December — when I don’t want to lose that edge, get tired, or lose my focus.
Another motivation is that I’m single and I'd like the future Mrs. Hanson to know that I take care of myself!
Do you wear a fitness monitor to remind you to get up and move during that seven hour period on television?
Even though I don’t always get all my steps in on Sundays, I'm pretty kinetic on television. I stand for a good majority of the show and I’m constantly popping up out of my chair, walking back and forth when the action gets going.
If I worked in an office, I would use a standing desk. When I'm flying, even if I don't have to use the washroom, I get up to walk the aisles because circulation is important.
It’s funny — every season, one or two viewers will send me screenshots of their Sunday step count. Compared to Monday through Saturday — when they reach 10,000 to 15, 000 steps — when they're watching NFL Red Zone on Sundays, the only steps they take are from the couch to the bathroom and refrigerator!
When traveling, do you maintain your workout routine?
I would love to say I'm as disciplined on the road as I am at home, but I need to be better. I’m great when I’m packing my suitcase! If I know I’m going to be away for six days, I’ll pack enough workout clothes for six days. I look at my suitcase and feel guilty, which often gets me down to the hotel gym.
When I travel internationally, I try to build physical activity into my trip. I went to Africa and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. In China, I hiked the Great Wall for a full day, right through the countryside. I went scuba diving in Iceland (if the water was any colder, it would have been ice!). So I’m definitely not a “lay around on the beach for a full week on vacation” kind of guy.
Do you listen to (or watch) sports or music while working out?
I almost always have headphones or earbuds at the gym. If I'm on the Elliptical or the treadmill, I'll play an educational or informative YouTube video on my tablet. I also have a few music playlists — 80s music, fast-paced Christian worship, classical rock (I call it Jock Jams), hip hop, and some heavy metal.
If live sports is on while I’m at the gym, like March Madness, I'll watch a game and that gets me through an hour of cardio. I’ve also started watching Marvel movies.
What other fitness pursuits have you tried?
I tried a Barre class and wow, I have to tell you, those isolated movements — “point your toe, flex your heel, and do tiny circles for five straight minutes!” — were tough!
Any kind of hike really appeals to me. In China, I also hiked Mount Huashan, which is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the world because you're up in the mountains and, at one point, there is a steep cliff and you can fall off pretty easily.
So maybe — maybe — climbing Everest. For me, that would be an achievement on the level of running a triathlon or marathon.
I would not be surprised to hear that Scott Hanson has climbed Everest. Did I mention he has a lot of energy?😀
Thank you, @ScottHanson
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