by k.c. lott

features/arts director

            Seven…Eight…Nine…Ten…Your spotter assists you as you struggle to put the 175 pound bar back onto its resting place. As you sit up, you have trouble raising your arms, but even as you pant and sweat from the heavy benching, you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. Once again you bested yourself.

            “[I exercise] four or five days a week for an hour and a half a day,” sophomore Mark Yarnell said. “I want to get bigger, so I mainly exercise my upper body, although sometimes my lower body as well.”

            A survey of 190 students showed that 49.2 percent of athletes polled exercise daily, while 15.7 percent of non-athletes exercised daily. Upper body strength is the most common area that both athletes and non-athletes attempt to improve. However, exercising doesn’t just build one up physically; it can also have psychological benefits.

            “People who exercise regularly have a better outlook and self-esteem,” physical education department head James Pulchine said.

            Students also don’t consider how their actions now will affect them for the future.           “Overall, I don’t think students exercise enough,” art department head Charlene Root said. “People have a tendency to think ‘I’m worried about myself now,’ and don’t think about how their body will be later in life.”

            Not exercising can lead to diseases and joint problems later in life, and according to Root, getting into the habit of exercising is more difficult the older one gets.

            “You have to find something interesting,” Root said. “One thing you can do is just get a pal and walk a mile. If you have an interest in sports, do that, even if you can’t be competitive.”

            The most recent Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System survey showed that 49.7 percent of American men and 46.7 percent of women exercise regularly. However, national studies also show that almost half of those aged 12-21 are not active on a regular basis. In the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior survey, only 35.8 percent of high school students were engaged in any light physical activity, such as walking or chores, for the 60 minute a day, five days a week recommendation. More males were active than females, and the percentage of active students decreased with grade level. Only 39.2 percent of high school students are physically active for 20 minutes or more daily in P.E. classes and only 28.4 percent attend the class daily.

“There is an old adage that a healthy mind and healthy body go hand in hand,” Pulchine said.

Exercising on a regular basis is usually done to improve one’s body, which in turn makes one more confident. Confidence isn’t the only benefit, however.

“[Exercising] gives the energy to study and relieves stress,” Pulchine said. “The average person should [ideally] do cardio and resistance exercises three times a week, 30 minutes a day. As that’s not always possible, however, two days a week should be the minimum.”

            The weight room is open and free for all students to exercise in after school. Hours are 2:45 to 4 p.m. during the week and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and during the summer 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

            “[Exercising] is a great opportunity to make the best of yourself,” Pulchine said.