Natural sound: students working out in fitness center
After the clock hits 3:30, students are let out of their classes, but many choose to continue their hard work into the afternoon by spending time in the fitness center. U-High students are not only getting physically stronger in the gym, but are also seeing mental health and executive functioning benefits from their time working out.
Ninth grader Eddie Skolarus is one of many students who have begun working out this year. After the end of his junior varsity soccer season, he has regularly attended the gym to get stronger in the off season, and has seen more than just physical benefits.
Eddie: It’s also nice to have, like, a like mental break after a long day of school. Um, and just kind of not having to think about anything related to school.
Eddie has also seen productivity benefits after he works out. He feels much more productive in the afternoon when he spends his time right after school working out, and less so when he doesn’t work out.
Eddie: I think it’s kind of harder to stay focused, but I think after I work out, like, it’s easier for me.
There has been extensive research on the many benefits of working out, and studies have shown that Eddie’s productivity boost is not something only he is experiencing. According to a study done by Briotix Health, after working out, 41% of people felt more motivated to complete their work.
Natural sound: students working out in fitness center
Similarly to Eddie, Junior Devyn Moubayed is a soccer player at U-High. Even in the off-season, Devyn tries to workout at least twice a week to keep up her strength, and improve her mental health. For her, working out is a space that she can relax and let go of her worries.
Devyn: I just feel kind of relaxed and just better because kind of all the things that are causing me stress at school, they kind of just kind of fade away for like an hour or two and I can just really focus on myself.
Just like Eddie, Devyn feels more productive after her workouts and finds it much easier to get her work done efficiently on days she works out.
Devyn: I feel like I can now be more productive in my school work.
By taking advantage of the mental health benefits that come from working out, Devyn thinks that students can increase their productivity and do better on school work.
Devyn: I think that if you can, you know, make time for yourself to make sure that you feel okay mentally first, then I think your product of your work will be better as well.
Natural sound: students working out in fitness center
For years, studies have shown the extensive health benefits associated with working out, and students at U-High have been experiencing these benefits first hand through their workouts. Reporting for the U-High Midway, I’m Ellie Rosenberg.
