Despite his success and his multitude of accolades—four-time NFL MVP, 10-time Pro Bowler, rocket-arm status—Peyton Manning spends a good portion of his off-season in a weight room chasing his next Super Bowl title. “I’ve always tried to work harder each year to be a better athlete, quarterback and player than I was the year before,” he says.
Inside the aforementioned weight room, Peyton works to build a quick, strong foundation through agility and leg work, but he devotes the majority of his time to strengthening the crucial muscles of his core. According to Will Bartholomew, owner of D1 Sports Training and Peyton’s frequent adviser, “a strong core helps Peyton absorb hits and allows him to throw at the high velocity that he does.”
In other words, by efficiently connecting his lower body to his throwing arm, a strong, stable core helps Peyton transfer the power of his legs into crisp, lightening-fast passes.
Peyton uses Seated Overhead Med Ball Throws to muscle up through the core while also strengthening his overhead throwing motion. “This is a great way to develop core stability as well as shoulder and tricep strength,” Bartholomew says.
Seated Overhead Med Ball Throws

• Sit with knees bent and heels just off floor
• Without changing position of upper body, receive ball overhead from partner; throw back
• Repeat for specified reps

Sets/Reps: 1×15
Related link:
Watch video of Peyton Manning’s strength training workout.