If you are ever in the gym after school, you may glance up and see people working out in the upper part of the gym. Lots of times, running around the square. Some say there is never an off season for athletes, which may be true. It seems the gym, upper gym, weight room and even the normally clam hallways seem to always be filled with not only in-season athletes, but off-season athletes as well. What is the purpose of this?

“We have conditioning practices to get our girls in shape for the upcoming season, we play on a bigger than usual soccer field so transitioning onto that can be hard for the players,” Susan Putnam, head Spring Hill High School girls soccer coach, said.

Girls who play soccer and do not play a winter sport are expected to go to conditioning. There are benefits to it, though. 

“[Conditioning workouts] helps them in the long run, especially since they get ten seconds added to their 8 minute mile every time they come to a conditioning,” said Coach Putnam. 

Other than soccer, there is track and baseball conditioning going on at the same time. Sometimes when there are basketball games going on in the main gym, the athletes have to run in the hallways; which shows an action of commitment. 

“it kind of shows that we are willing to go to conditioning even though it is hard, we are willing to sacrifice that for the sport,” Rebecca Mccreight, 10, said. 

Although athletes don’t necessarily look forward to going conditioning, they still tough it out to be successful in their seasons. 

“Conditioning really helps us all out so we are not as winded on the field,” Rebecca said.