by Ashley Ford

Teachers and students are signing up for gyms to try to avoid possible health hazards in the future. They are considering healthier diets and working out, which improves their chances of living longer and healthier, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

Students said they are going to the gym to feel better about themselves, to live longer and to improve athletic ability.

Senior Daniel Pinedo said he goes to the gym to feel a sense of achievement in himself.

“When you go to the gym, you could not be a couch potato,” Pinedo said.

He said he goes to the gym not only for appearance but for his health as well.

“The reason I go to the gym is to lower my risk of getting diabetes and other heart problems that could lower my probability of living longer,” Pinedo said. “I started going to the gym at first to lose a few pounds, but now it’s because I want to be healthier and stronger.”

Senior Samantha Cadiz said that she started to go to the gym “to get a better appearance.”

“I wanted to get abs and a better body,” Cadiz said. “I want to have abs like Channing Tatum.”

Physical education and health teacher Nicholas Morris said that he encourages students to be active by “participating in gym classes, walking as much as possible or playing sports on their own” and to get “plenty of rest.”

“They should do whatever activity they enjoy, whether it is a sport or an exercise DVD; I always encourage people to try something new and break out of their comfort zone when it come to exercise,” Morris said. “Teenagers should try to exercise six days a week at least for an hour and use the extra day to rest their body.”

Exercise not only benefits a person’s appearance, it also helps him or her sleep better and avoid health hazards.

“Exercise can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly, as long as it’s done at the right time,” according to a study by Harvard Medical School. “Try to finish exercising at least three hours before bed or work out earlier in the day.”

Students need at least “60 minutes of vigorous active play everyday,” but it does not all have to happen at one time, according to letsmove.gov, a campaign started by First Lady Michelle Obama to end childhood obesity.

“Physical activity throughout the day all adds up. And when you get moving, you’re more likely to: feel less stressed, feel better about yourself, feel more ready to learn in school, keep a healthy weight, build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints, and sleep better at night,” according to Letsmove.org.

Adults should also get involved in physical activity throughout the day to strengthen muscles that may weaken over the years.

Morris said that he tries to exercise as much as he can; he often does uphill walking and mat exercises that strengthen the back and torso.

“I am a social exerciser, I do a lot of exercise with friends, family and anyone else who will like to go out for a hike or play a game in any sport,” Morris said. “I generally play any sport if I am good at it or not!”

Adults should at least spend about three hours or more each week in a aerobic physical activity, according to choosemyplate.gov.

“Being active 5 or more hours each week can provide even more health benefits. Spreading aerobic activity out over at least 3 days a week is best,” said choosemyplate.gov. “Also, each activity should be done for at least 10 minutes at a time. Adults should also do strengthening activities, like push-ups, sit-ups and lifting weights, at least 2 days a week.”

English teacher Steven Gavrielatos said that he suggests “students remain open-minded to new things.”

“I also try to perform cardio three times a week in the form of rock climbing, which is a very fun activity,” Gavrielatos said. “Health is important with students, by them engaging in working out, it is preparing their bodies now for what their bodies are going to go through in the future.”

Detention coordinator Daisy Rodriguez said that she tries to stay active by walking everyday.

“I also play Zumba on my Wii, which keeps me active for the days that I am not walking,” Rodriguez said.

Before doing any exercise, people should not stretch while their muscles are cold, and should try to eat a moderate amount of food and not overeat before working out. Also they should start planning ahead before doing a workout to save time, according to health, fitness, and nutrition magazine self.com.

“Stretching when muscles are cold can lead to injuries and poor performance,” according to the article. “Eating too much (or the wrong kinds of foods) before exercising can lead to cramping, feeling sluggish, and an overall poor-quality workout come up with a schedule of the types of workouts you want to do for the week, to keep you from scrambling at the last minute.”