While a lot of high school students regularly go to the gym to get their leg workout or cardio day in, it can be slightly different for a Woodland athlete. With hours of practice per week, plus meets and games, it can be more challenging to get a good workout routine going. However, it is possible to manage practice and working out. Here are some of Woodland’s athletes’ workout routines that may help someone looking to change their routines.
For some athletes, like sophomore Emma DeGeorge, having personal trainers is super helpful when it comes to staying consistent. As a year-round softball player, maintaining a balance between school, practice, and the gym can become difficult. During weeks without games, DeGeorge says she has two hours of practice each day while normally having Sundays off.
“I usually go to the gym after practice three times a week, just to stay consistent,” DeGeorge said.
Staying consistent is especially important for DeGeorge who experienced a knee injury not too long ago.
DeGeorge said, “I have a trainer who is specific to me because I had a knee injury awhile ago so he just helps me take care of myself.”
When it comes to the actual workout, DeGeorge always starts with stretching and has realized just how important this first step is. She relies on her trainer to tell her whether to do legs, arms, or a mix of both. In addition, she usually focuses on one of the two depending on if her legs or arms are sore.
As for DeGeorge’s routine she said, “I always start with stretching and I usually end with some cardio.”
Senior, Micheal Goggin, has recently started his first track season this spring. Throughout the school year Goggin tries to make it a healthy habit to go to the gym regularly. Although most track athletes use daily practice as their workout, Goggin goes to the gym in addition to daily practices. For Goggin, in order to make the gym a priority it takes, “lots, and lots, and lots of energy.”
“Going to the gym on our off day is also good. There’s usually an off-day every Sunday and sometimes Saturdays,” Goggin said.
When at the gym Goggin likes to focus on upper body strength. He incorporates biceps, triceps, and chest into his gym routines. However, what is more important to his gym routine is what he does to improve his track performances.
“I have to put a lot of cardio in because for track it’s important to improve your endurance,” Goggin said.
For junior Abigail Raffone, a girls tennis player, it is important to maintain a healthy balance between practice, matches, and the gym. With about 20 total hours per week between practice and matches, Raffone makes sure to also give herself a break.
“I usually go to the gym if we don’t have practice on Saturdays,” said Raffone. “I always use Sundays as a rest day just to make sure I’m not overworking myself”.
Some athletes like Raffone have specific routines for weekly workouts. Raffone says she will regularly work on back and bi’s one day, legs the next day, and abs and cardio another day. With this routine, she normally rotates each day to maintain a balance.
“Depending on what I’m working on, I’ll do three exercises,” said Raffone, “So on back and bi’s days I’ll do three back exercises, three bi’s exercises, and then 10 minutes of the Stairmaster”.
Raffone’s daily workout routine is very specific to her, and something she always prioritizes when at the gym is stretching and doing cardio first.
Workout routines can vary for all athletes. Depending on the number of hours of practice put in, specific exercises for the athlete, and how the athlete has created their own workout routine, every athlete’s workout routine is unique.
