College - Wayne State
Strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander is entering his 19th season with the Detroit Pistons. Kander has been with the Pistons since the spring of 1992, when he became the team’s first strength and conditioning coach. He works in conjunction with team trainer Mike Abdenour on the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries for the Pistons. Kander’s duties also include the design and implementation of specific programs that are aimed at enhancing individual players’ flexibility, strength and aerobic conditioning.

An innovator in the strength and conditioning field, Kander has designed and developed the team’s training area in its practice facility to meet the physical conditioning and developmental needs of NBA players. In addition to working with the team throughout the course of the season, Kander conducts an optional summer training program for each of the Detroit players at the practice facility. The program has proven to be quite successful and Kander gets credit for both the quick development of Detroit’s young players and the continued conditioning of the team’s veterans.

A 1987 graduate in physical therapy from Wayne State University, Kander began his career as the sports coordinator at Crittenton Fitness Institute. He then moved on to Rochester Knee and Sports Therapy where he worked as a staff therapist. Kander began his association with the Pistons while working at Rochester Knee and Sports.

Kander’s interest in strength and conditioning began during his career as a professional dancer with the Virginia Ballet Company from 1983-86. He has since submitted several research projects on isokinetic strength testing, jump training and developing a jump platform system. While working for the Pistons, Kander has consulted and developed conditioning programs for some of the Detroit area’s finest professional and amateur athletes.

Kander and his wife, Denise, have two children; son Ian and daughter Lindsay. The family resides in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Pistons.com Features on Strength Coach Arnie Kander:
- Eagle Eye (8/18/10)
- Arnie’s Optimistic (5/8/08)
- Rip’s Ready to Run (4/20/08)