PAUL RABIL IS arguably the GOAT of lacrosse—but he initially wanted to quit. When he started playing at age 12, he struggled to pick up the game and told his parents he didn’t want to keep at it. Wanting to teach him a lesson about commitment, they made him stick with it for the season. Thankfully for the sport, he never looked back after that brief moment of doubt.
Rabil is the co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), the pro league that has expanded the growth of the sport beyond its contemporary prep school reputation. Rabil, now retired at 40 and serving as the PLL’s president, says that the game should have mass appeal thanks to the unique athletic characteristics its players need to succeed. “It’s one of the most dynamic sports in the world,” he told Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. in the latest episode of Strong Talk. Lacrosse demands physicality, speed, endurance, and fine motor skills and coordination.
That also makes lacrosse an incredible standalone workout, according to Rabil. “I’ve learned that since retiring, that’s the best workout I’ve ever done in my life,” he said. “You’re... full speed, you’re shooting, your core’s engaged, you’re absorbing contact. The closest thing to it is going to a boxing gym and working with a great trainer.”
Rabil shared more about lacrosse—including the training principles used by lacrosse athletes—with Samuel and exercise physiologist and strength coach Dr. Pat Davidson. The Strong Talk episode also covers Rabil’s experience building awareness around his sport, how lacrosse is coming to the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games in 2028, and the intense workouts athletes need to succeed.
Want more deep-dive fitness conversations from Samuel and other celebs and experts who've been on our Strong Talk podcast? Check out all of our episodes here.
Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, PES, a senior editor at Men's Health, is a certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter. You can find his work elsewhere at Mashable, Thrillist, and other outlets.
