Gorilla In Their Midst

WHEN GORILLA isn't dunking through fiery hoops (left) or rappelling from atop US Airways Center, the Phoenix Suns' famously acrobatic mascot--played for 18 seasons by Bob Woolf, now 41--is being flogged into shape by his taskmaster and father-in-law, Andy Bauman, 64. The former Boston private investigator and martial arts expert has a regimen that strays far from convention. Gorilla's odd-looking drills (which he does in full costume, in no set order) and strange props are meant to build strength in his core and lower body while elevating his heart rate. The randomness is key. "In this job," Woolf says, "you never know what you'll need to pick up, throw over your shoulders and run up stadium stairs with." Here, a sampling of one of Gorilla's thrice-weekly workouts.

CARGO NET CLIMB

Gear
A hanging, 20-foot-high cargo net, unmoored at the bottom.

Action
Climb from floor to ceiling at full speed. Do two or three times. For added difficulty wear a 40-pound weight vest.

Works
Arms, upper body, cardiovascular system.

Gorilla's take
"It works all my body parts together. With the net loose on the bottom, it helps with your core balance too."

HEAVY-BAG SIT-UPS

Gear
A hanging, 80-pound bag.

Action

Hang upside down, wrapping feet around the top of bag, ankles crossed behind chain. Do three sets of 12 ab crunches. For added resistance, hold a 12-pound medicine ball against chest.

Works Core, and inside and outside of legs (from squeezing the bag).