While fans have mocked Patrick Mahomes’ “dad bod” since he went viral during the playoffs in January, his trainer revealed the benefits of the quarterback’s physique.
Speak with PEOPLEMahomes’ trainer Bobby Stroupe revealed that the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s not-so-skinny figure is ideal for his position and level of play.
Moreover, Stroupe – who Mahomes has worked with since he was 9 – noted that his client’s appearance interests him less.
“I’ll be the first to tell you that I think an NFL quarterback should have a minimum of 14% body fat,” Stroupe said. “It’s not from an unhealthy standpoint, but from a power absorption standpoint. You have to be able to make contact.’
“We know there just aren’t many Hall of Fame quarterbacks who have a six-pack and there’s a reason for that,” he explains. ‘We have to find that fine line between performance and health. And the aesthetic part is a different story.’
Patrick Mahomes’ trainer revealed why his ‘dad body’ is the ideal body for a quarterback
The Kansas City Chiefs star has been working with Bobby Stroupe since he was 9 years old
“I don’t need him to look like a model because the way he plays requires a certain kind of physicality, and that physicality requires more body fat,” Stroupe added. “That’s a core belief I do have for him.”
Stroupe and Mahomes train four to five days a week during the NFL season. However, given Mahomes’ family and busy schedule, their sessions range from well over four hours to 90 minutes, time permitting.
‘During the season it’s a different situation because football is the priority. The big days for us are the day after the match,” he said. ‘When most people rest the day after the match, that’s when we really work.
“There’s about three to three and a half hours of soft tissue work, mobility work, range of motion and just general health,” Stroupe continued. “Trying to make sure that the 26 bones in your foot, the 640 muscles, the 12 fascial lines, everything has to be in good shape.”
Mahomes and the Chiefs are 3-0 to start the season looking for their third straight title
The trainer also added how he added unconventional methods to Mahomes’ regimen, including gymnastics, javelin-based training and martial arts exercises.
“There are some things you wouldn’t think an NFL quarterback would do, but we’ve found Patrick responds very well to this system and approach.”
After winning their second consecutive Super Bowl in February, Mahomes and the Chiefs are 3-0 to start the season. Now in his eighth year in the NFL, Mahomes’ mantra is “be the best you” as he strives to achieve career longevity, Stroupe tells PEOPLE.
“He’s one of the most unique athletes we’ve ever seen in any sport and he needs to focus on being Patrick,” Stroupe said. “If he tried to emulate Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, we wouldn’t have the benefit of seeing someone like him play this game at this level.”
“And no matter how many rings he wins, no matter how many MVPs, with each game we can identify things he can do better,” he adds. ‘There are unlimited opportunities to improve.’