Given this new quarantine lifestyle, the question many athletes are struggling to answer is how can I stay active? With more people coming out of their homes to roam neighborhoods, the risk has grown higher in breaking the social distance rule. For this reason, many athletes have turned to other forms of exercise that provide just as good results as if they were routinely practicing with their team. 

  Junior, Dimitrius Belizaire is a part of Charter’s Dance Team and amidst all the boundaries set up during this quarantine the team has found ways to keep their connection flowing. Dimitrius says, “To maintain our relationship, we like to contact one another in a really big group chat and we also like to do dance challenges on the dance team instagram.” (@ppchsdance team) While this has helped keep the team in the swing of things, Dimitrius has been working on his personal workout routines to uphold his rhythm off-campus. “During this quarantine, I stay active for a jog in the late morning. But, I also go bike riding with my younger siblings for a few hours to let the time pass.” For our fellow Jags exercise has been able to be an outlet to relieve our boredom, but while it counts as an outlet working out is a vital part of Dimitrius’s routine before and during this quarantine. “[Originally,] I was involved with the school dance team from every Monday through Wednesday. [But,] with the whole virus going around it resulted in all gyms being shut down.” Fortunately to his benefit that didn’t stop him from taking matters into his own hands. “With gyms closing I ended up using any equipment from home, such as restriction bands and weights. Thus far I’ve done many exercises and I’m always switching it up in order for my progress to not plateau.” As athletes it is important to alter workout routines as this is a sign of complacency, so this strategy Dimitrius has in place will benefit him in the long run. His workout strategy for legs includes the following: lunges, donkey kicks, and the glue bridge. For sure this new reality “didn’t stop the dance team and I from practicing for our upcoming shows.” If anything this has strengthened the team’s bond and Dimitrius’s personal workout routines outside of the school environment.

• Contributions also made by: Sophia M. (YB)