Two months ago, SportTechie asked seven NFL players about the piece of training technology that they could not live without along with their favorite social media platform and follows. We decided to branch out and ask players outside just football, including the NBA, MLS, MLB and golf. Here is the full listing of athletes who participated: Harrison Barnes (Forward, Dallas Mavericks); C.J. McCollum (Guard, Portland Trail Blazers); Ashlyn Harris (Goalkeeper, Orland Pride); Dax McCarty (Midfielder, Chicago Fire); Carlos Santana (First Baseman, Cleveland Indians); Cameron Rupp (Catcher, Philadelphia Phillies); Billy Horschel (Golfer, PGA TOUR); Smylie Kaufman (Golfer, PGA TOUR); Harold Varner III (Golfer, PGA TOUR); Ben Silverman (Golfer, Web.com Tour)
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1) What piece of training technology could you not live without and why?
I could not live without my Fitbit. I’ve always been interested in technology and am constantly looking for tools to help me improve. My Fitbit gives me a way to measure my routine and optimize my game as it tracks heart rate, provides workout summaries and monitors sleep.
— Harrison Barnes, Forward, Dallas Mavericks
My favorite training technology is my NormaTec. With the number of games we play and having to travel so much, this really helps to keep my legs fresh. I liked it so much, I purchased my own!
— C.J. McCollum, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers
My heart rate monitor. It tracks all my steps, movements, heart rate zones, calories burned, and distance covered. It even tracks my sleep patterns. It’s amazing!
— Ashlyn Harris, Goalkeeper, Orlando Pride
The training technology I couldn’t live without is our GPS tracking system. It’s vital to know how much distance you are covering in every game, as well as top speed hit, amount of sprints you are doing, etc. It’s an essential tool in tracking your fitness and work rate.
— Dax McCarty, Midfielder, Chicago Fire
I LOVE classic weights and combining them with explosive movements. My new favorite is the Power Sled that I push and pull with weights. This makes my core strong and keeps me explosive.
— Carlos Santana, First Baseman, Cleveland Indians
Don’t really mess with training technology much, but I’d go with chalk line for putting.
— Smylie Kaufman, Golfer, PGA TOUR
To be honest I could live without all of them. For a long time in golf, slow motion video, 3D capture biomechanics analysis, and golf ball tracking technology such as Trackman, Foresight and Flight Scope was not even an option. I use all of these technologies today, as most professional golfers do, but for me they are more of an extra support system, not to be solely relied upon. If I had to choose, though, slow motion video is the most valuable to me because I use it the most often. It’s a great way for my coach to see how my techniques are being maintained when we are not able to work together in person.
— Ben Silverman, Golfer, Web.com Tour
2) What is your favorite social media platform and why?
My favorite platform is Instagram. I try and share my favorite moments while giving fans access to both my professional and personal life. From winning gold at the Olympics to announcing my engagement, Instagram has been my go-to for social media.
— Harrison Barnes, Forward, Dallas Mavericks
My favorite social media platform is Snapchat. I think it’s pretty fun to capture behind-the-scenes content to share with fans.
— C.J. McCollum, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers
Instagram. It’s a place where I can tap into my creative realm. It’s the platform where I can be expressive in many forms, especially through photography.
— Ashlyn Harris, Goalkeeper, Orlando Pride
My favorite social media platform is Twitter. It’s the best way to interact with all the fans and show them a different side of your personality. I enjoy all the banter, good and bad!
— Dax McCarty, Midfielder, Chicago Fire
I use Instagram and Twitter mainly. I like Twitter because I can interact and respond to fans directly but Instagram is also great because I can bring people into my world with images. Most people don’t have access to see what life is like in the Dominican Republic, and I feel like it is easier for people to understand by seeing real images of real people and things.
— Carlos Santana, First Baseman, Cleveland Indians
Twitter because you can say what you want and not always have to post a picture with it.
— Billy Horschel, Golfer, PGA TOUR
Twitter and Instagram. I have no real favorite, but I like using both of those and communicating with the fans.
Even found an LSU fan over here in Malaysia. Tiger fans everywhere. #beatolemiss pic.twitter.com/KcGAcpy5kh
— Smylie Kaufman (@SmylieKaufman10) October 22, 2016
— Smylie Kaufman, Golfer, PGA TOUR
I guess Twitter because you can respond to your fans easily.
— Harold Varner III, Golfer, PGA TOUR
Twitter. It seems like the quickest way to get updated on whoever or whatever you are following.
— Ben Silverman, Golfer, Web.com Tour
3) Who is your favorite follow on social media and why? Could be on any platform, sports-related or not.
One of my favorite people to follow is Vann R. Newkirk, reporter for The Atlantic. Whether it’s commenting on Denzel Washington or the latest public policies, I love his commentary on each topic and am constantly checking his Twitter feed.
— Harrison Barnes, Forward, Dallas Mavericks
One of my favorite follows is definitely The Players’ Tribune on Twitter. I enjoy learning about the things that are important to my fellow athletes, especially in their own words.
He spent every day thinking about last year’s title game.
Finally @JJacks_44 is a champion. https://t.co/IPezbLmdof — The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) April 4, 2017
— C.J. McCollum, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers
Anything to do with fashion really. I would say GQ is a favorite. Conditionworld is another favorite. Clean, simple and different.
— Ashlyn Harris, Goalkeeper, Orlando Pride
My favorite social media follow is my wife. She always uploads the best pictures of us and our dogs on Instagram. Other than her, I enjoy following Darren Rovell on Twitter. He’s a stat geek, but I enjoy the random things he tweets about sports. Very interesting.
— Dax McCarty, Midfielder, Chicago Fire
JR Smith of the Cleveland Cavs! He’s my boy! He’s been a great supporter for me and our team. Keep it REAL JR!
— Carlos Santana, First Baseman, Cleveland Indians
Favorite follow is Barstool Sports. They always post great videos to laugh at.
— Cameron Rupp, Catcher, Philadelphia Phillies
Caddie Kip Henley is a great follow because he is funny.
Does anyone else get the Willy’s when they see this sign ? pic.twitter.com/EyVPAPhKpG
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) April 2, 2017
— Billy Horschel, Golfer, PGA TOUR
Barstool Sports is probably my favorite.
— Smylie Kaufman, Golfer, PGA TOUR
Wow, that is hard. Can I look on my phone first? My top golf follow would be PGA TOUR player Steven Bowditch without question, because he is honest and he isn’t all political. NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip is also a great follow. I have played golf with him and he tweets positively, which I like.
— Harold Varner III, Golfer, PGA TOUR
The Rock, Dwayne Johnson. He’s the best. Pure entertainment!
— Ben Silverman, Golfer, Web.com Tour
4) Do you have a favorite social media post you’ve shared with fans? If so, what is it?
My favorite post was the candid shot of me celebrating with my mom after winning the 2015 NBA Championship. We came a long way from elementary school pick-up games in Ames to World Champions, it was a great moment to share with her and my followers.
— Harrison Barnes, Forward, Dallas Mavericks
Don’t have one favorite post, but rather a series of posts. I use a filter called CJ’s Fine Foods on Snapchat to showcase all the different meals I eat and restaurants I attend. I get a lot of positive feedback from fans on these posts in particular
— C.J. McCollum, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers
My favorite social media post was a picture I uploaded on Instagram. It was the first picture I uploaded of my wife and I after we got married. It was a candid shot of us hugging, with our friends and a fire pit in the background. It was pretty amazing picture so I was happy to share it with everyone!
— Dax McCarty, Midfielder, Chicago Fire
I recently posted video of my celebrity charity softball game in the Dominican Republic with all of the kids that we helped. I realize that we are in a position to help bring happiness to others and I believe it is easier for people to support a cause when they see for themselves those that will benefit. I plan on being much more active on social media with community focused themes this year.
— Carlos Santana, First Baseman, Cleveland Indians
My favorite post was last year on Twitter when I apologized to fans for blinding them with my then bald spot that I didn’t know I had. Now, I am just completely bald.
I apologize to all the @Phillies fans I blinded last night from the bald spot on my head that I had no idea I had! pic.twitter.com/1W1mMOdSic
— Cameron Rupp (@CameronRupp) May 15, 2016
— Cameron Rupp, Catcher, Philadelphia Phillies
Has to be when I won the Australian PGA Championship where I was holding the trophy and champagne bottle.
Trophy time.
pic.twitter.com/Z0Bi0Gmo0X
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) December 4, 2016