Everyday after school, hundreds of students run to their local gym and put their bodies under intense pressure to build their dream physiques. At the Kirkwood YMCA, three KHS seniors have committed themselves to the gym-rat lifestyle. From owning every color of wife-beater imaginable, to scooping dangerous amounts of pre-workout, KHS seniors Kipper Tallon, Owen Swearngin and Collin Callaway are focused on becoming as strong as possible.
“I go to get better everyday,” Callaway said. “That means hitting [personal records], getting stronger and having discipline, which means going every single day.”
The three of them agreed that the gym is an escape from reality. According to Swearngin, the dungeon-esqe weight room is perfect for distracting their minds.
“It’s somewhere I can go where I don’t have to think about school or any other issues I have,” Swearngin said. “I can just go there and pick up heavy [weights] and take out [my] anger or sadness. I [always] feel better afterwards.”
Callaway said another reason he likes the gym is because he can push his body to the limit. He said there is nothing better for him than working out.
“When I have 900 mg of caffeine in me, I have no thoughts,” Callaway said. “Bench press gets all my problems off my chest.”
Although lifting everyday can be grueling on the body, the three find ways to keep themselves motivated. According to Tallon, the trio relies on each other to work hard every single day.
“Despite how much we argue in the gym, it’s about all of us being the best version of ourselves,” Tallon said. “We’re always pushing each other to be better.”
The group all have their own favorite exercises. For Tallon it’s back squat, Callaway’s is bench press and Swearingin’s is deadlift.
“[Deadlift is my favorite] because it’s cool to look in the mirror and see that you are lifting 405 pounds,” Swearingin said. “It’s a full body exercise, [so] you aren’t just isolating one muscle group.”
All three offered advice to weight room beginners. Tallon said the best way to stay motivated is to fall in love with the weight room.
“[You] have to become obsessed with it,” Tallon said. “It’s the highlight of my day. You have to crave being there.”
Swearngin said making goals is what helped him stay consistent and go every day. He gave his own advice for people who are having a hard time staying in the weight room.
“[You should] make some kind of goal in your mind that you can work for everyday,” Swearngin said. “So you aren’t going [to the gym] to just do whatever, you’re working towards something and always trying to get better.”
