Caitlin Clark’s sophomore season with the Indiana Fever in the WNBA is still young, but the guard is already making headlines simply by stepping on the court.
Back in March, photos of her defined arm muscles went viral while she was just a spectator at an Iowa Hawkeyes game. The photographer even commented, “Well someone’s been in the weight room.” By the Fever’s season opener against the Chicago Sky last weekend, “Caitlin Clark muscles” had become a popular Google search.
Clark confirms she has indeed been working hard in the gym. During the seven-month WNBA offseason, she quietly trained with the Fever’s coaching and training staff. Her goal was to build strength and sharpen her skills. She tells Women’s Health that increased strength was the top priority. “The number one thing I knew I needed to improve was how strong I was,” she says.
Although Clark’s on-court highlights often feature spectacular shots and plays, she emphasizes the effort behind the scenes. “People see us playing two or three times a week, but they don’t see all the little things,” she says.
Clark is also featured in a new State Farm ad campaign called “With The Assist.” The campaign celebrates the many people who support her on and off the court. “Many people have assisted me through my life,” she says. “Great coaches, teammates, friends, and family helped me get to this point.”
Clark shared the key adjustments she made in the offseason that helped her make those iconic shots with more strength.
Staying Consistent
In 2024, Clark transitioned quickly from a fast-paced college season to the WNBA. During the season, her weightlifting focused mainly on maintaining strength and recovering between games. “It’s really hard to do heavy lifts the day after playing. It’s basically impossible,” she explains. “I wouldn’t be able to get to the rim the next day.”
When her first professional offseason began in September, Clark shifted her focus to building muscle and gaining strength in ways she couldn’t before.
Her main change was simply consistency. Whether traveling or training at home in Indianapolis, she committed to hitting the gym and progressing her lifts four times a week. “It wasn’t about new lifts,” she says. “It was about being consistent for seven months.”
Although lifting heavy weights isn’t her favorite activity, Clark thrives on routine. She enjoys completing workouts first thing in the morning and keeps things fun by chatting with coaches and teammates. “My lifts take a long time because I talk to everyone,” she says. “If you’re a professional athlete, you better find joy in what you do.”
Training for Endurance
Opponents’ scouting reports often highlight one major challenge for Clark: she needs to be more physical on the court. “Sometimes I shy away from contact,” she admits. Building muscle will help her absorb hits and avoid fatigue.
Clark also focuses on balance and endurance. One training method she uses is holding isometric squats to increase muscle durability. This mimics defensive stances and dribbling movements on the court. “Sometimes I play very straight up,” she says. “I need to get comfortable in a squat or defensive stance.”
The Fever’s performance coach works closely with the player development coach to translate basketball movements into gym exercises. “We try to replicate basketball skills in the weight room,” Clark explains. “It’s about improving on the court and using the gym to get better at those movements.”
Training the Mind
On draft day last year, Clark told Women’s Health she believes therapy should be normal for college athletes. Looking back, she says working with mental performance coaches during her junior and senior years at Iowa was a turning point. She continues this mental training with the Fever.
Mental strength is crucial for Clark. The Fever went through many roster changes in the offseason, and the team is still learning to work together. Clark says mental perspective helps her stay focused and resilient.
“Not every game will be great. Sometimes you won’t shoot well. It’s frustrating, but how do you respond? How do you improve? How do you stay neutral and help your team even when things aren’t going your way?” she asks. “At this level, mental skills are almost more important than physical skills.”
Clark’s goal this season is clear: win a championship. She is ready to work hard for it. “Not everything will be perfect, and that’s easy to say but hard to live,” she says. “We get to play in front of fans every night. Enjoy it, embrace it, and use it fully. That’s how we’ll make this season special.”
