Staying Fit in Athens

By Christina Dailey & Holly Hess
aThEENs 3410 staff

The strong smell of chlorine and sound of splashing water fills the Gabrielsen Natatorium at the Ramsey Student Center of UGA. Prince Avenue Christian School Senior Alex Dempsey, 18, knows these two things far too well. Dempsey is a sixth year member of the Athens Bulldog Swim Club. Dempsey feels that high school physical education requirements and classes are not sufficient enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, he is involved with ABSC “for fun and to stay in shape.”

Talk with local teens about their extracurricular activities, and two things become apparent: the high school physical education requirements alone are not enough to keep them healthy (according to the Clarke County School District, the requirement for students is to participate in one physical education class in high school) and because of this, teens are turning to other sports and activities to keep them busy and active. With Dempsey as just one example, there seems to be a large teen population in Athens that goes beyond school requirements and participates in after-school sports, year-round teams and other activities.

Most students agree that high school PE is less than rigorous, this encourages students to participate in their high school sports. Clarke Central High School student Daniel DeSimone, 17, is active in both tennis and cross country. DeSimone is involved in after-school sports “because I really want to stay active, and I like staying active. I like the idea of being healthy and fit.” He also says it is refreshing to be able to move after a long day of sitting in class. Assistant Tennis Coach at Clarke Central Dale Autry says that, “The physical fitness aspect of sports helps them stay active and happy, mentally and physically.”

Ruskee Poterfield, 15, a North Oconee sophomore, emphasizes that her school’s PE requirements are way below what she believes are needed to stay healthy. Although she cheers on the competition cheerleading team, she has implemented a workout regiment that includes crunches, push-ups and a mile run per day to maintain her health. In addition to high school sports, students have other options at their fingertips.

“There is so much you can get involved in,” said North Oconee Senior Haley Davis, about the amount of teams and clubs offered within Athens. Some of these options include Athens Power Yoga where students can choose between a basic class and an all level inclusive class almost any day of the week. For the adventure-seeking teen, SORBA is the “voice of mountain biking in Athens” and does group rides for all levels. The up-and-coming sport of disc golf is also an option for teens to get involved with the Athens Disc Golf Association. Anyone can play in the “random doubles” league that meets on Mondays at 6 p.m. at Herman C. Michael Park or Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

If these activities don’t sound appealing, there’s always the gym. Teens can choose between a number of locations, but the Ramsey Student Center and The Omni Club seem to dominate in teen attendance. Ramsey offers affordable rates at $22 a semester for children under the age of 18, but must be accompanied by an adult. People between the ages of 18-24 can be a member of Ramsey for $80 a semester. The Omni Club offers a complimentary 5-day pass to try out their gym. They also offer a variety of classes from yoga to spinning to Pilates.

Ramsey is also offering a new “Fit Well Teen Camp” this summer. The camp offers two 4-week sessions meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The purpose of this camp is to “teach teenagers the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition and fitness to achieve a healthy lifestyle.” Also, “the goal is to create an environment for all to begin to learn and love fitness.” This is a perfect opportunity for teens between the age of 13 and 17 to experience fun fitness with their peers. Registration for “Fit Well Teen Camp” begins on April 1 and is $60 for Ramsey members and $75 for non-members. There are numerous camps around the Athens area during the summer to keep teens healthy and fit.

Before spending $100 on new running shoes to get motivated, here are some tips to get started. The Surgeon General suggests that a physically active individual exercises for at least 30 minutes at a low to moderate intensity for at least 3-5 days per week. According to UGA Exercise and Sports Science major Michael Mansfield, 22, “Exercise can come in almost any form. From running to playing an intense game of volleyball, exercise is exercise.” It is important to consume a variety of food groups in one’s daily diet in order to replace the nutrients that are lost when exercising. Mansfield also mentions that, “If an individual does not give the body proper rest, energy, and sleep, then the effects of exercise could impact the body in a less than positive fashion.”

The various teen activities highlighted allow teens to formulate an individual physical fitness regimen that fits their lifestyle. Whether it is with a high school, a club or a group of friends, Athens teens have the opportunity and resources to get active, and many of them already are.