By: Dominick McCormack
Many students at Redwood are active, whether they play sports or not. Students like to be fit and in shape. There are endless ways to physically work the body, from swimming to hiking to lifting weights. You can get a workout in, doing pretty much anything if you put your mind to it. But what are Redwood athletes doing to stay fit during the offseason, and during the pandemic?
Alia Backlund, ’22, runs track at Redwood High School. Alia works out at a Crossfit gym consistently 5 days out of the week. She does so to stay in shape for when her upcoming track season starts.
But more importantly she works out to stay healthy and because she enjoys it. Alia typically goes to CrossFit in the mornings, before or after school, depending on her schedule.
She will sometimes bring her younger brother to get some work in with her but usually, she goes to work out by herself.
Alia feels great after a workout, especially when she’s fatigued because she knows she worked hard that day. She feels that working out is almost like an escape from reality, and all she has to focus on is herself and the workout she is doing.
Aram Babagian, ’21, is a football player at Redwood High School.
Aram works out at X Factor Fitness around 5 to 6 times a week. He usually has a few other guys with him that go to get a workout in. It’s unlikely that you will see Babagian at the gym alone.
Aram started to work out to get in shape for football in 6th grade. He says, ” I do it now because I really enjoy lifting and never plan on stopping!” After a good workout, he feels like he’s achieved something in his overall goal of getting better each and every day.
Sierra Dismuke, 21′, is a former cross country and track athlete at Redwood High School.
Dismuke goes to In-Shape and usually works out with her dad around 4 to 5 times a week. She used to go to the gym just to get in better shape for her sports. But after lifting consistently she realized she liked working out more than competing in her sports.
Sierra now goes to the gym and works out more frequently now than she did when she was training for track. Dismuke says, “it genuinely makes me happy, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever felt. I even feel and look better now than I did while working out to get in better shape for track.”
After a workout, Sierra feels amazing, confident, and is always looking forward to the next time she can come back.
Ethan Garcia, ’21, plays baseball at Redwood High School and is committed to Long Beach to further his academic and athletic career.
Ethan also attends X factor fitness 6 times a week. He normally goes with 2 of his buddies that way they can push each other.
Ethan works out to better himself for baseball and also because he enjoys it. He has the same routine every day he works out. This routine is,” I get to the gym and take some pre-workout. Next, I go in and completely destroy whatever muscles I’m working on that day. I do this to get a killer pump in. Once my muscles are really tight I pack up and go home, where I will eat a good lunch with a protein shake.” Ethan feels exhausted after because he turns into an animal at the gym.
Going to a gym is an easy way to get a workout in. Even if you don’t have a membership you can still workout in your home, with no equipment, and just do body weight exercises.
Physical activity is important to your health and it can help reduce the risk of multiple diseases. There are so many benefits to working out, not only to your physical health but mental health as well.