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Kim Wood, the National Football League’s first full-time strength and conditioning coach, died Tuesday after battling a brief illness. He was 80 years old.
The Cincinnati Bengals announced his death, calling him an “innovator who helped transform the weight training industry” while playing a prominent role on the Bengals’ sideline.
He was an employee of the Bengals from 1975, Paul Brown’s final season as the team’s head coach, until 2002.
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Wood was staunchly opposed to steroids during a time when they had risen to prominence in sports and bodybuilding, two of Wood’s niches. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
“I’ve lost a great friend, a great coach, a great guy,” legendary Bengals defensive lineman Tim Krumrie said.
“He believed in the hands, the forearm and the grip,” Anthony Muñoz added, reflecting on how Wood felt about the importance of a firm handshake. “He was at the forefront of core work and arm strength. He understood the game very well. He understood what part of your body needed to be really emphasized to be the best.”
“Everyone who knew him recognized the extraordinary personality he possessed,” said Brown’s son Mike. “He was fun and interesting to be around. He was outgoing. He was always full of ideas and plans. He attracted people. The players enjoyed being around him, as did everyone else.”
Kim Wood pioneered weight training in the late 1960s and early 1970s. (Cincinnati Bengals)
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When weight training took off in the late ’60s and early ’70s, Wood became a major force in the industry, first at Nautilus and then at his own company, Hammer Strength, helping to push strength training from free weights to machines. He then made his mark in the world of professional wrestling, helping former Bengals special teamer Brian Pillman with his in-ring career.
Wood was staunchly opposed to steroids during a time when they had risen to prominence in sports and bodybuilding, two of Wood’s niches.
“It was extremely anti-steroid, which I loved,” Muñoz said. “He took care of his players. For him, it was about working hard, eating the right things. He was totally against chemicals.”
Wood was employed by the Bengals from 1975, Paul Brown’s final season as the team’s head coach, until 2002. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
Krumrie was working out when he received the news Wednesday about Wood’s death. About rowing, he said he did “some extra pulls” for his former coach.
