Students may not be involved in sports for a variety of reasons, including lack of access, cost, time restraints, academic commitments, or an overall lack of interest. As a result, many high school students may struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, there are many activities that they may participate in to keep them active without these obstacles. Alexa Gawron, sophomore, for example, finds hiking in beautiful and unique places an exciting way to stay fit.
“I hike many times a year, especially whenever I go on trips. Last time I went to Hawaii and I went [hiking] on a few mountains and volcanoes. I would say usually [I hike] for two hours. In Spain, there were lots of hiking [trails] through a bunch of different kinds of hills that I always went on when I was there,” Gawron said.
Though it does provide beautiful views and unique experiences, according to Gawron, these hikes are not always easy.
“When I hike, there are [heavily inclined] hills and [less inclined] hills; the steeper they are, the harder [it is] to climb up there. It helps with the strength of my glutes and calves, because they are mostly [working] while I am walking.”
Hiking is a great way to stay fit, especially in the upcoming summer months, proving that staying active does not have to contradict with other summer activities. According to Riley Pitchford, sophomore, volunteering at Girl Scout camp is another way of keeping oneself active with a variety of outdoor activities allowing her to soak up the sun and give back to her community.
“At camp, we do tons of outdoor activities every year like hiking, fire building, knife skills, knot skills, archery, and crate stacking. We also play games like tag, gaga ball, and more. These activities help me stay active as I am almost always moving […] hiking with a backpack always improves your endurance as you are basically carrying weights while walking, which is a cardio exercise,” Pitchford said.
Pitchford added that many of the activities at camp also help improve teamwork and communication skills, which adds another layer of benefit to the camp. Girl Scout camp is something one can easily sign up for to stay active and maintain endurance, while still having a fun and fulfilling experience whether it is hiking, playing games at camp, or exploring nature trails, the physical component becomes part of the adventure.
“When exercise is a game, everyone becomes engaged because there is a motive. Kids are having fun with their friends or want to win the game, so exercise is easier. [I think] it’s easier to run around if you are playing tag than on a treadmill,” Pitchford said. “When exercising in nature, you are distracted by the views. But when you are inside, it can feel like you are not progressing as fast as you are in one place the whole time.”
The sense of adventure during these activities can make fitness feel more like a journey and less like a routine, making it a lot easier to stay motivated. Similarly, the Ski Club is also easily available to sign up for. McKenna Serowka, the Ski Club sponsor, shares how the Ski Club can keep you moving while building strength and endurance in various areas of your body on the slopes.
“Skiing targets the lower body muscles, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, because you are in a squatting position for most of the time. Skiing can also definitely help build a strong core to keep up your balance. In general, you use your whole body to control your speed and direction of motion,” Serowka said.
While games and outdoor activities make exercise feel more enjoyable and less of a chore, some individuals also feel the same about hiking, which is more beneficial for their mental well-being and offers a more calming experience.
“[Hiking is better for me] mentally [in sports] because I definitely have less stress in my life without sports, because they can put a lot of mental stress on me, balancing it with my homework and other stuff in my life too. It is way more calm and I can just relax,” Gawron said. “Physically, sports are a lot of work. You are constantly practicing and doing challenging activities, depending on what kind of sport you do, which can cause a lot of stress and possibly injuries. [Hiking] is a way to keep myself healthy physically while not having that mental stress that sports give me.”
Gawron believes that balance is the key and that staying active in a way that feels enjoyable and stress free makes it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle long term. For some people, finding physical activities that are both enjoyable and low-stress is ideal for staying healthy mentally and physically. While hiking offers a peaceful and calming way to stay active, others may want more of an exciting thrill, like skiing, for a different kind of fun balanced with fitness.
“[A way you could get better at skiing is] by taking lessons. Lessons are typically leveled so even advanced skiers can learn something new. They can also try more challenging hills or the terrain park. Skiing with friends is often more motivating than working out by yourself. Plus, skiing is fun, so it does not feel like a chore to engage in physical activity,” Serowka said.
While activities like skiing can make exercise feel way more motivating and enjoyable, it’s also important to recognize that everyone has different preferences when it comes to staying active.
“I don’t think people should be pressured into doing sports, because not everyone has the same interests and abilities, and sports can be very stressful and can mess with your brain sometimes,” Gawron said. “There are also many other things in life that people can enjoy physically that definitely give you a lot of the same benefits, some of those things are hiking, canoeing, swimming for fun, and a lot of more things. Everyone should feel obligated to do whatever they want and any kind of fitness activity or something that makes them feel good about themselves, and shouldn’t have to be pressured by others into doing a sport.”
