By: Kiersten Kiene [Staff Writer]

During the off-season, many student-athletes neglect the importance of staying in shape between sports. Some athletes go to the weight room, visit the fitness center, or run themselves. To stay in shape for the next sport season, working out is a must.

Some athletes are a one-sport-athlete. Emily Meeks, freshman, plays soccer and only soccer. “[During the off season] I go to the gym with my mom sometimes, or run around Cedar Rapids,” explained Meeks. Because she only plays one sport, that leaves a lot of room to either keep yourself in shape, or have everything you worked for go down the drain to nowhere.

Coaches encourage the athletes to stay fit and lift year-round. Not only does this keep you in shape but you may also improve greatly. “[I would advise athletes] to not watch Lifetime movies everyday,” explained Meeks. Television, the Internet, and friends are all things that can get in the way and keep you from getting out there and working out. They are all very distracting.

The student-athletes that keep up their fitness year-round are the ones that prosper. So don’t just think that it will all come back once the season has started again. It will not. So get out there and stay in shape. It will not only help when the season comes around, but for many years to come.