Interviews

Q: What kinds of exercise should kids and adults be getting each day?

A: There are so many exercises that a person can do on a daily basis that will benefit them but I am a firm believer that whatever SAFE physical activities/exercises that each individual desires is what they should do and be encouraged to do. Doing what one is passionate about is going to give them the most motivation resulting in the best benefits. Walking, jogging, running, cycling, dancing, swimming, yoga, Pilates, all sports, yard work, etc. Any exercise is better than none.

Why is exercise important? Exercise is important to ensure that ones body is strong and healthy enough to meet the challenges that a person will face throughout their lifetime. Exercise has many positive effects on ones body including:

1. Improved heart and lung health, reducing your chances of developing heart disease.

2. It enables you to maintain a healthy weight.

3. Promotes Strong joints and muscles

4. Maintenance of posture and flexibility.

5. Production of endorphins in your brain, promoting a sense of well being and increase brain function.

Q: How long do you think kids should exercise each day?

A: I believe an hour a day is enough for most kids. Just like anything else, for those kids that are athletes and desire to compete at a more competitive level additional exercise time will be required to become better at their craft.

Q: If you could only get in one type of exercise each day, what kind of exercise should it be?

A: My personal choice would be waking. It's simple, a person can walk for longer periods of time and get great physical and mental energy from it.

Q: What do you think that the best exercise to do when you're short on time would be?

A: I truly believe going on a brisk walk is of great benefit when time is of the essence. Jogging or Bike riding is another exercise one can get a lot out of in a short period of time.

Q: What’s the hardest exercise to do?

A: I honestly think they ALL have their own challenges depending on the level of the activity. Being a runner, I can honestly say that if you're not an avid runner running can be very difficult. As far as the exercises I had to do throughout my career weight training was the most challenging for me. It was mainly challenging for me because it usually followed a hard workout on the track.

Q: What is your view on children and screen time?

A: I believe screen time (gaming) should be limited especially now more than ever because children are having to spend additional time sitting in front of their computers for schooling. Additional screen time means less physical activity time.

Q: Do you think that it’s possible to get too much exercise?

A: An excess of anything can be detrimental to anyone. As an athlete I ALWAYS pushed myself and often did way more than I probably needed or was advised by my coach. I was a perfectionist and It worked well for me though during that time.. To answer the question though, yes there is such a thing as over doing it. If so, what would be too much exercise?

Q: Do you think that there are benefits to exercising outside verses exercising inside?

A: Although there are many exercises that a person can do inside that are very effective, I believe that children (or adults) being outside in the fresh air and enjoying mother nature is not only better physical but psychologically as well. Although I love going to the gym (and always have) I personally enjoy being outside working out. So much so that during my competition days I had an outdoor fitness center in my back yard under my gazebo so that I didn't have to go to the gym.

Q: Do you think there are benefits to exercising with machines/electronically based things versus without it?

A: I believe that there are great benefits gained from both exercising both ways. As a kid growing up (even in high school) I did not use very much weight training, mainly because I did not have access to weights. If I'd had access to weights I would have certainly utilized them, but in moderation. Adolescents should do weight training in absolute moderation and under proper supervision. Today with the advancements in resistance training its safe to start effective strength training earlier in age and safely. As a collegian and adult/professional athlete there were major benefits that gained form the use of weight training. There was not very much resistance training equipment available during that time so I relied heavily on weights Strength is key in sports.

Q : Is it better to exercise with music or without music?

A: For me that's more of a safety issue. I believe as long as its safe to do so, listening to music can be a good a motivating companion and coach. When listening to music one can almost forget that the exercising is difficult and actually enjoy the task. When training indoors in a gym setting or on the sports field (track). I listened to music ALWAYS when possible, especially when warming up and stretching.

Q: Is it bad to not exercise?

A: Absolutely, it is a bad idea NOT to exercise! What are the effects of not exercising? The number one effect of not exercising is obesity. With obesity comes health issues which can lead to major problems. I am a firm believer that "if you don't use, you will lose it". Exercising keeps you stronger and healthier for a longer life. NOT exercising I believe shortens ones life expectancy and quality of life. Staying active helps to keep you young and healthy.

Q: What are examples of being active?

A: For me anything someone can do that is keeping their mind and body moving and churning, especially during these challenging times that require social distancing is better that nothing. Walking, running, cycling, Pilate's, yoga, any sports that one can do safely is activity. The list goes on and on. Having grown up in a household where we the boys in the house had outdoor chores that we HAD to do. I learned that the chores I had to do were actually some sort of exercise activity. As an athlete I did ALL my chores as if they were exercises. Exercises that may not be the most fun to perform but they made me stronger physically and aerobically. So when I became a dad I made it a point to teach my three sons the same thing. To this day, they treat their own household chores as exercises because they learned at an early that that type of physical activity was beneficial to their sports accomplishments.