As far back as I can remember, my only interests were football, basketball, and baseball. I loved those three sports. We played football in the fall; basketball in the winter; and baseball in the spring. I played all three through junior high, but focused almost exclusively on basketball in high school. Regrettably, I was far less passionate about the academic dimension of high school. In high school, you would find me sitting in the back of the classroom reading Sports Illustrated. I knew every college team’s location, nickname, colors, conference, uniform design, coach’s name, and in most cases, their starting line-up. After playing on some good high school basketball teams (Twin Lakes-Monticello), I managed to graduate, and was good enough to continue playing in college, something I’ll never forget. After college, where I became a little more studious, I pursued a career in teaching and coaching. Again, basketball was my sport. This was around 1974. Believe it or not, weight training or strength conditioning was almost unheard of at that time. Some athletes, mostly football players, lifted weights, but the present-day equipment, like that found in Culver’s beautiful Fitness Center, simply didn’t exist. My first recollection of weight training was around 1978, when nautilus-type equipment was coming on the market. I required my team to complete a strength-conditioning program during the off-season, and throughout the summer. It was around that time I started “lifting” myself, and jogging. The athletic coaches at my school pushed each other, and we got into the routine of running and lifting at least five days a week. This was approximately 40 years ago. I’m still doing it today.
Vigorous physical exercise does not guarantee longevity. I don’t believe there is a single study that proves a physically active person lives longer than a person who remains inactive. However, there is an ironclad guarantee that the person who embraces a vigorous exercise program will have a MUCH higher quality of life. In other words, you’ll feel better, look better, and have a considerably higher level of energy. Moreover, there is solid evidence that resistance training has enormous physiological benefits as a person ages. It’s really incredible. I know people in their 80’s who still work out each day. They feel like they’re 50!
My current daily routine consists of 20 minutes of jogging/walking; 5 minutes on a stationary bike; and 30 minutes of resistance training, using both the nautilus equipment, as well as free weights. I strive to work out at least five, if not six, days a week. I’ll admit that by the end of a normal Culver day, I’m tired, and being a heavy coffee drinker, I’m even mildly depressed. However, the daily “workout” has become as much a part of my day as teaching a class. I’m grateful for that. I am also grateful for friends like Natalie Hogan, Danny Cowell, and Dana Neer, who advise me, and motivate me to work hard. I look to them for guidance and inspiration.
So, to those who don’t have an exercise routine, I say this—it makes no difference how old you are, or if you’re overweight, or if you never participated in sports, or if you have a disability, or if you've never exercised a day in your life. You can do it. Find your Natalie Hogan, Dana Neer, or Danny Cowell. Take the first step. Good luck!
Harry Frick, Humanities
