The enforcement of social distancing has put a halt to all university athletics, leaving student-athletes with no choice but to adjust their lifestyles.

With the progression of the coronavirus outbreak, workout facilities on and off campus are closed until further notice. These limited resources have pushed student-athletes to find ways to stay fit and motivated within the parameters of their homes.

James Benson, sophomore track runner, explained how the closure of gyms has impacted his workouts and how he has adapted his routine.

“With the season being over, I was going to lift weights a lot, trying to get stronger that way, but that definitely messed up my plans,” mentioned Benson. “I was working out earlier. I was doing agility stuff, going up and down the streets, doing accelerations and jump ropes.”

Sophie Daigle, junior cross country and distance runner, shared that she has incorporated home exercises.

“I’m still running a lot, but mainly on campus and not on the track because the track is closed down,” said Daigle. “I’ve added in some body exercises after my workouts because the gyms are closed, and I’ve done a lot more stretches and home exercises.”

Without having the structure of team practices, some athletes have found it difficult to stay motivated.

Daigle described what she misses from team practices and shared how she finds motivation to stay consistent.

“It’s a little less motivation pushing through a workout because I don’t have my coach or my teammates there with me,” commented Daigle. “Knowing that if I start to be unfit, I won’t be back where I was, that’s what motivates me to stay fit.”

For Benson, staying motivated has been less of a hurdle.

“I have goals and stuff I want to do, so I use this to fine-tune the little stuff,” explained Benson. “The little things that I feel like I’m weaker at, I’m just using this to get stronger at the little things.”