By MOLLY WALLACE
Either television is too enticing, or America is too lazy. Shockingly, the obesity rate for American teens, ages 12 to 19, is roughly 21 percent, according to The New York Times article “Obesity Rates Hit Plateau in U.S., Data Suggests” (January 2010).
How do teens prevent themselves from conforming to this statistic? Simple: a shared view of students says the best way for teens to stay in shape is to use spare time on active things that fit their specific desires.
“Teens play a lot of video games and then they don’t work out,” junior Vincent Romero said. “If you have a lot of time on your hands, just use it on sports and active things.”
After school, Romero boxes in his friend’s yard and also plays street basketball. He claims this keeps his cardio up enough to keep him in shape.
“If you’re in a bad mood, it’s easy to take it out in boxing,” Romero said. “Your cardio goes up; plus I have fun. Boxing also helps me get fit.”
Senior Kelsie Church worked out on her own, since she wasn’t committed to a school or club sport. Over the summer, Church ran a marathon and now continues to do mile runs sponsored by the Track Shack.
“I realized I was lazy and didn’t play sports,” Church said. “It is so easy to slack off when you are young and think you can start [working out] later in your life.”
Church is involved in a workout group that is under the instruction of a trainer. She also runs before school with her sister to stay active.
“Keep at your own pace with your own time,” Church said. “Workout in your way.”
Freshman Victoria Allanson spends her time getting fit by riding horses at Class Act, an Apopka horse range. As a former rower for crew in middle school, when Allanson took on the load of high school, she switched to a more leisurely and desirable way to stay fit.
“I want to stay in shape because I don’t want to have a bad figure,” Allanson said. “Plus horseback riding is fun and I want to have that experience.”
Allanson stresses that society needs to stay in shape, and again claims that teenagers have either too much time on their hands, or too little.
“It’s hard for teens to stay in shape when kids sometimes don’t have time [to work out] and then do other things like watch television or play video games when they do have that time [to work out],” Allanson said.
Interacting with animals was key to Allanson’s intrigued interest in horseback riding. Other activities are available outdoors to get one’s self active and in shape.
“Florida has lakes, beaches and circuit training at places like Lake Underhill,” former trainer at Planet Fitness Joey Sims said. “Just get out and do activities with your friends.”
With obesity rates rising rapidly and technology allowing time to be filled up inside the confinements of one’s home, the desire to stay in shape must be there for teens to change the statistic studies have placed on them.
Sims suggests utilizing trainers and workout plans, which he claims can pinpoint what activity and workload a person needs to get in shape. These options are available at PF Gyms as part of the membership.
“I would suggest teens to seek help from a trainer because a lot of people aren’t sure what to do, while a trainer can lead you in the right direction to getting in shape,” Sims said.
At Planet Fitness Gyms, trainers are included with a membership, so taking Sims advice becomes an easy task with low stress because there is an enforced no judgment policy there.
“A lot of times people don’t come to the gym because they feel insecure, but our judgment free zone is good for that,” Sims said.
PF Gyms offer memberships for as low as $15 per month, while 24-Hour Fitness and LA Fitness offers one for $25 and up. The prices for LA Fitness and 24-Hour Fitness can vary based certain advantages, like free classes or free guest passes.
Collectively, the best advice from students and trainers is to find what workout suits one best and stick with it.
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