Does Your Workout Work Out?

In a world filled with so much movement, excitement, and change, it’s difficult to imagine a place without physical activity. Think of TikToks of teens waking up at 5:00 in the morning to go on a two-mile run before school and then going to swim practice. Think of YouTube videos of celebrities training for hours on end with trainers to make sure they stay fit for the runway and of the twice-weekly gym classes at school not too long ago that have been replaced with none other than the beloved Zoom. From running to playing a sport to going to the gym to hanging out with friends, exercise is everywhere, whether we like it or not.

But the coronavirus has changed that prevalence. Gone are the days of in-person workout sessions and meetups—health regulations make it nearly impossible to continue exercising like before. School gym class has been reduced to Zoom calls and yoga stretches. Parks only recently opened. So, most of us, as expected, have remained cooped up in our homes, awaiting the day when we finally find the courage to crawl out from under our covers and go for a run or hit the gym. But, alas, not all Stuyvesant students are the norm—the dedicated have braved the formidable pandemic conditions to work out.

For senior Mohammad Hamzah, these workouts take the form of calisthenics strength and cardio workouts. Hamzah, who has remained committed to his routine throughout the quarantine (no small feat considering this quarantine has stretched almost eight months), finds that these daily workouts are very positive for him and have been an amazing outlet during these uncertain times. He explained, “There's no way to stay sane during the pandemic without finding an excuse to spend at least an hour out each day…Being stuck at home is extremely tough both mentally and physically. I feel like if I didn't do this my body would deteriorate.”

Hamzah’s thoughts were echoed by sophomore Isabella Jia. “I'm motivated to work out because I want to stay fit and healthy. I also did ab workouts consistently last year on the soccer team at Stuy, and I didn't want to slack on working out, so I decided to continue doing some form of the ab workouts to maintain a sense of normalcy,” she wrote in an e-mail interview.

But the desire to maintain a sense of balance and normalcy is not the only thing that has driven students to work out. Other people have been inspired by the fit folks around them. In the case of freshman Aareeb Jamil, it is a bet he has made with his friend that motivates his workouts: “I have to get abs by December 5 or he gets to practice his Muay Thai strikes on me. It's made me a lot more consistent with the ab workouts.” He elaborated on the effect of his changing body on his morale: “Abs are more aesthetic than functional, but I think that if I can manage to attain a six-pack, it'll motivate me to be more consistent overall.”

Like Jamil, sophomore Janna Wang has also found inspiration in a fellow classmate. “I exercised regularly with a friend at the beginning of quarantine. We would follow workout routine videos together, but personally, it served more as a consistent way to socialize and do an activity with a friend rather than being a way to stay healthy,” Wang said. She found that her time working out with her friend was “pretty positive,” because it helped her maintain a routine and spend time with her friends in the process. But these workouts have since stopped because Wang simply no longer has time in her schedule. She doesn’t miss it, though. “Not working out doesn’t have a negative effect… because there are things I prioritize more. I think that what stopped me from continuing was just the fact that I don’t necessarily enjoy it enough to go out of my way to make time for it,” she explained.

Friends are not the only place inspiration can be found, though. Physical education teacher Rebeca Morel-Wernham has found motivation in her family: “My father is going to be 87 soon and still manages to take long walks, do push up and dips at home, and even some shadow boxing.” She elaborated on the positive effects she has seen firsthand: “It is so important to him to work out, and I see how that has been such a positive impact on his life and longevity. Seeing the impact on his quality of life motivates me to do the same.” Even though she has a toddler, Morel-Wernham has continued to do yoga, running, walks, and some obstacle courses from her home and has found that completing workouts has left her feeling “accomplished” and with a “renewed sense of energy.”

For others, however, working out is about more than just staying healthy and fit. In the case of junior Lucinda Bryce, the top scorer for the Stuyvesant girls’ soccer team last season, it is her ambition to become a college soccer player that fuels her desire to work out. “That dream [to become a college soccer player] alone requires a certain level of commitment to both fitness and skill, which is a lot of work that can feel unrewarding at times,” she said. “However, as I continue to invest time into it, I can see improvement in the bigger picture, which is gratifying.” Bryce’s workout requires commitment. She plays soccer for around an hour every day, which she supplements with ab workouts and running on days when she doesn’t have a scheduled soccer practice with her club team. By her own estimations, she runs about three to four miles every week and spends upwards of 12 hours a week playing soccer. Bryce finds this rigorous workout regime overwhelming at times. “At first, it felt like way too much time to be sacrificing just for athletics, but you get accustomed to the routine, and now it's just a part of my day. Working out really helps me clear my head,” she explained. “It's almost like hitting a reset button on my day.”

But not everybody is as motivated as Bryce or Hamzah. For those who may be struggling to get into a quarantine workout routine, Jia offers words of wisdom: “I think everyone should definitely try to work out, even if it's 10 minutes each day. I know working out may seem daunting, but it's fine when you actually do it. I struggled in the beginning since I wasn't used to it, but by staying consistent, you'll get used to it.”

Jamil echoed Jia’s thoughts on the importance of consistency and even provided a helpful tip for when it comes to staying focused. “I recommend listening to music while you work out. It helps me focus and takes my mind off of other things. It gets me into the moment.”

Bryce has a more cautious approach to working out. A seasoned athlete, she finds that there are pros and cons to constantly exercising. “In quarantine, I think it's great to stay healthy, and working out can be a great use of your time. However, I would be really careful. There have definitely been times during quarantine that I've found myself working out for the wrong reasons, or working myself too hard,” she explained. “Working out shouldn't be the focus of your day, or your top priority, in my opinion. It's really easy to become obsessed with the wrong parts of it, instead of just focusing on being healthy.”

Not all of us are as dedicated as Bryce, however. Quarantine has been difficult to navigate, and many of us have grown accustomed to routines that barely involve leaving the house. So, for those of us struggling to find the motivation to get up and get out, Morel-Wernham offers her take: “My advice to students is to be safe, take advantage of your resources and work out during this pandemic. We are lucky to live in a city with so many bike lanes, waterfront trails, beautiful parks, and even exercise parks that are free for us to utilize.” She continued: “You will feel so accomplished after finishing a good workout, less stressed, and ready to take on more.”