Jacob Barriga
Staff Writer
With most gyms and campus athletic facilities shuttered due to the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders, athletes and students serious about fitness have had to find ways to stay in shape in spite of the shutdowns.
Whether they have home gyms or just a few pieces of makeshift equipment lying around the house, some La Verne students have become pretty resourceful in the workout department.
“This is adversity that we have all had to overcome this year,” Cameron Slessor, sophomore kinesiology major, said. “I’ve been able to do some bodyweight workouts, and it honestly got me into the best shape in my life.”
Others have taken up running, biking, hiking or even searching for at-home workout routines on YouTube. Some of the popular channels to watch are Chloe Ting’s workout channel and Anabolic Aliens. Both provide easy and quick bodyweight workout routines, the athletes report.
Many La Verne athletes have also been keeping in touch with the La Verne athletic training staff, who have been sending out weekly workout routines including weight training with common household items.
Drew Reddick, junior business administration major, said he has been staying in shape thanks to these workouts.
“I went out and bought a kettlebell right away, along with some other weights I have. I’ve been able to do Coach Durant’s workouts throughout this time,” Reddick said.
Anthony Salcedo, sophomore kinesiology major, has been working to prepare for baseball season, presuming it is not canceled.
“My uncle has a CrossFit gym that I have been able to go to consistently,” Salcedo said. “I feel safe going to the gym and I have been working on getting more explosive and stronger.”
Some ULV students report that they have used stay-at-home mandates, which sometimes means more downtime, to start a habit of working out and getting into a better shape for their health. Some have also begun to watch their diet in order to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
“I feel a hundred percent healthier now than I felt when I left for quarantine,” Aiden Ramos, junior business administration major, said. “I have lost 25 pounds since the beginning of quarantine and now that I’m home, my mom has been helping me watch my diet by making healthier foods.”
Some gyms have established outdoor workout areas – to continue operations and to follow Los Angeles County Health Department guidelines.
“I’m not scared to go to the gym right now,” Ramos said. “They keep it pretty clean and sanitized when I do go,” Ramos said. “But I am on the cautious side; I want my family to be safe.”
Jacob Barriga can be reached at jacob.barriga@laverne.edu.
Jacob Barriga, a senior journalism major, is a copy editor for the Campus Times. He has also served as sports editor and a staff writer.
