When I step outside every morning, I run. The morning breeze caresses my face as I run through the empty streets of my neighborhood. The only thing I can hear is the sound of my headphones playing “Remember When” by Wallows and the faint sounds of cars rushing to their destination.

On snowy days, my room quickly converts into a mini-gym with a yoga mat and a speaker. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I started exercising again every morning. So, if anyone asks how I’m dealing with social isolation and the pandemic, I tell them I run.

I have always been a fitness enthusiast since I didn’t grow up with a fitness education in my public elementary school. When I came to Parker in eighth grade, I looked forward to P.E on Wednesdays and Fridays. From badminton class with Mrs. Zoufal and interval training with Mr. Davis, I enjoyed it all. 

So, I started to exercise by myself from that point forward. Every morning during the weekends, I went on runs with my dad at our local park. Exercising helped relieve my academic stress and improved my mood throughout the day.

 Once I reached my junior year of high school, I stopped prioritizing exercising because I became progressively more busy with school. It wasn’t until the beginning of quarantine that I decided to start exercising again.

 I grew tired of being at home, and boredom was slowly creeping up on me as the days passed. As someone who wasn’t a homebody and found happiness stepping out of the house, quarantine wasn’t ideal for me. So, the only way I could be safely outside of the house was by running around my neighborhood. 

There are many benefits to exercising that I didn’t know about before quarantine. One of the most interesting benefits of exercising is that it keeps your thinking and judgment skills sharp. Exercise stimulates your body to release proteins and other chemicals that improve the function of your brain. 

Also, it helps your body manage blood and insulin levels. Exercise can lower your blood sugar level and help your insulin work better. In terms of mental health, exercising can alleviate anxiety, boost self-esteem, and make you happier.  

I recently listened to a podcast that talked about how many high school students in the U.S no longer have a similar gym program that they had in person. For example, instead of exercising on Zoom, they’re required to complete assignments about topics in health. 

Some students reported no longer attending their gym classes because they considered them boring since the discussions were not engaging. Although the school had gym programs, some students wished that they could exercise on Zoom. 

After hearing the podcast, I thought to myself, why aren’t they able to have a gym class on Zoom? I thought the podcast would answer it, but it surprisingly didn’t. After talking to my friends that attended other schools, I found out that some high schools have set rules to respect the privacy of their students. 

Meaning, students aren’t required to turn their camera on, nor unmute themselves to participate in class because teachers are aware that most students don’t have space to fully engage during class. Most importantly, they can’t require them to complete exercises outside of class because of the space issue. Before the break, I got a sense in my gym class that some students didn’t want to place their time and effort into exercising. 

Most Parker students have the privilege of having space to exercise in the comfort of their room. Although I understand that it can be hard to exercise at home because you’re stuck in one place, I encourage everyone to look at our gym program through a positive lens. More than anything, I want Upper School students to reconsider going back to exercising on Zoom as a gym class. I believe that exercising as a group motivates others to push through the exercises being given. 

As a Parker student, I can say that I’m privileged to have a gym program with amazing gym teachers that continue being invested in my health and well-being.