By Niti P., Teen Portal Staff Writer
Spring is almost here! It’s time to get moving and start exercising, right? I know many of you don’t like the idea, but we all know you have to exercise to stay healthy and fit.
Experts are reporting that fewer teens are exercising than ever before. In Arlington, only about 35 percent of students in a recent survey said that they engage in vigorous exercise (exercise that makes you sweat or breathe hard for at least an hour and at least five times a week).
For juniors and seniors, whose academic schedules are the busiest, the statistics are also the grimmest. Arlington seniors were least likely in the survey to report engaging in regular vigorous exercise. Perhaps this is because P.E. is no longer a requirement after sophomore year, and because seniors feel as if they are loaded with schoolwork.
But for most teens, the blame may fall straight on them. Studies show that we spend an average of more than six hours a day either watching TV, listening to music, surfing the Web, and/or playing video games. It may be true that you feel extremely busy, but, if you can find the time to watch TV, hang out with friends or go see a movie, I know that you have the time to get in better shape. This is the perfect time to start a regular exercise routine; if you don’t already exercise, warmer weather can be an excellent motivator.
There are many opportunities to get fit in your school and throughout the county.
Here are a few ideas:
• Take a bike ride and enjoy some fresh air. Arlington is known for its extensive trail system. Check it out at http://www.commuterpage.com/biketrails.htm
• Sign up to play House basketball, which doesn’t take a lot of time so it’s easy to balance out schoolwork. There is a night practice and the games are typically on the weekends with a few weekday games.
• Try out a new sport. Either try out for your school’s team or sign up with an Arlington County league. The offerings include Baseball, Boxing, Cheerleading, Tackle Football, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. If you exercise while you’re distracted by the fun of a good game or competition, you won’t notice the pain as much For more information and specifics for each sport, visit http://www.arlingtonva.us/teens/clubs/sports.html.
• Join a county-operated gym. They are free for teens to join and offer classes, weights and cardio equipment. For a list of county-operated gyms, go to http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/wellness/ParksRecreationScriptsWellnessFacilities.aspx.
• Find a tennis partner who will play you on a regular basis. For information on how to reserve courts, go to http://www.arlingtonva.us/Portals/Topics/FitArlingtonTennis.aspx.
There are many options for fitting in the exercise you need, so there can’t be any excuses for not exercising. And, if you don’t like sports, do simple things such as riding your bike, roller balding, walking or jogging -- basically anything besides being a couch potato.
