At Harrisonburg High School, athletes are known for their strength on the field, court or other playing field, and their success. However, many other students around the school are also dedicated to getting more in shape outside of school.

Freshman Aidan Perkins, a baseball player here at HHS, uses the gym to workout in order to succeed in the sport and is inspired by his coach, who is also a physical education teacher, Kevin Tysinger.

“[I workout] to help develop muscle for baseball,” Perkins said.  

Besides athletes, other students around the school go to the gym for various reasons. Freshman Gia Coppola is one example of an ordinary student who has a gym membership. She decided to workout solely for herself, to become more confident with the way she looks.

“I was chubby,” Coppola said.

Coppola is dedicated to working out, however, because she goes to school, she has to find a balance between both school work and working out.

“I do homework when my mom’s not home, and then at five I go to the gym,” Coppola said.

Perkins’ desire to workout also shows in his schedule, as he is enrolled in weightlifting class as well as a gym-goer multiple times a week. However, he understands that one does not have to workout at the school if they do not feel comfortable. Wherever they work out, Coppola has a view that works for any location.

“The gym is more free, you can do what you want, without being pushed by other people,” Coppola said.