Don’t Sweat It
Check out this article! Students, teachers find ways to stay active at home.
With the arrival of COVID-19, many services across the globe have closed to prevent the spread of the disease. In the United States, only essential services are currently allowed to remain open; however, public gyms are not considered as such. While in quarantine, both students and teachers are finding ways to stay active at home.
“During quarantine, many people’s lives have been on pause, but my motivation comes from trying to continue to better myself each and every day, even without my typical resources. In my mind, doing the little things will add up to overall success,” sophomore Molly Nemnich said.
Nemnich’s day normally consists of two workouts, a run and strength training.
“Music has helped me a lot when I’ve been working out at home. In addition, I plan my workouts as active breaks in between school work and chores,” Nemnich said. “Doing workouts at home forces me to be a little more creative. I’ve been walking outside a lot more, and that has been really good for my mental health. I’ve really just been trying to make the best of it.”
courtesy of Vrisha Jagdish
While quarantine has shut down public gyms, senior Vrisha Jagdish and her family find ways to work out at home.
Some gyms have turned to producing online workouts for members to do at home, like CrossFit Wildwood, a local strength-training gym. Senior Vrisha Jagdish is one of CrossFit Wildwood’s members and is using their online program.
“The online workouts are part of a 30 day challenge. Everyday, the owner of the gym, Mike Petruso, releases a video detailing the workout and how to do all the movements in it. Then, you take a picture of yourself, tag CrossFit Wildwood and #wildwoodway and post it on Instagram,” Jagdish said. “My favorite workout so far is actually day one of the challenge! The workout is called Angie and it’s 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 squats and 100 sit-ups.”
Through these workouts, Jagdish sees her family growing closer together.
“I enjoy that I [am able] to get my whole family involved in the workout. With my dad traveling, my mom working and my sister at gymnastics, we never really saw each other throughout the school year. With this forced quarantine, we have been bonding through these workouts. We did yoga together and the CrossFit workouts together. It’s really fun to have your family there, pushing you to do something productive while simultaneously bonding,” Jagdish said.
CrossFit Wildwood recognizes that not everyone may have the proper equipment to do the workouts, so they rented out their equipment to members. Jagdish’s workouts consist of body weight and a single dumbbell or a kettle bell.
Even though CrossFit Wildwood has made keeping active at home easier, there are still challenges.
“I mostly miss the environment. Everyone asks me why I joined CrossFit and why I don’t just stick to the regular gym. When you pay for CrossFit, you also pay for the environment and community,” Jagdish said. “Everyone is so encouraging, regardless of your fitness level, and I miss that the most. I also miss the one on one coaching. The coaches are there to help you better yourself everyday and correct your form, which was super helpful.”
Jodie Fowler, engineering teacher and the Eureka High School girls volleyball coach, also joined CrossFit.
“I needed an organized class in the morning before school since I coach after school. I also wanted to support a local gym,” Fowler said. “I’ve been doing the in-home workouts they’ve been sending. I’ve stayed active for an hour or two every single day.”
Even without the same equipment she would have in the gym, Fowler finds ways to improvise.
“I have lighter weights than we use in the studio, so I use what I have. If I need to, I do extra reps with lighter weights,” Fowler said.
Given the difficulties of working out at home, Fowler also finds benefits in its convenience.
“I like that I can pick whatever time I want to do the workout. And sometimes, I just get up and do a few push-ups or lunges,” Fowler said. “I have been doing YouTube yoga and the circuit stations I’m having my volleyball players do. I’ve also been walking [my] dog, riding my bike or going for a light jog. Anything to pass the time until life gets back to normal.”
While everyone adjusts to the new normal for now, staying active still remains an important part in Jagdish’s life, whether during the school year or in quarantine.
“Working out has been a blessing in this whole situation because it keeps me sane and gives me structure. I still have fitness goals to work towards, and I can do them from the comfort of my own home. It keeps my mental health in check because it still remains an outlet for all my feelings,” Jagdish said.