Author: Laura Berger
Welcome to THE WORKOUT, a semi-regular series where I tag along with law students to learn about their favourite ways to get moving. Instead of sticking to my regular exercise routine (yoga and running), I’m hoping to test-drive some new activities—whether it’s archery or rock-climbing, Zumba or Spynga, hopscotch or hip-hop dance. With exams looming and deadlines fast approaching, sometimes we neglect to emerge from our fluorescent-lit study carrels for some much-needed exercise. Switching things up, and exploring the myriad options for breaking a sweat on and around campus, can help in the motivation department.
The workout: Swimming laps at the Hart House pool with Lane Krainyk, 3L student and former swim coach.
The experience: I approached my swim date with Lane with some trepidation—primarily because Lane had promised to wear his tiniest Speedo, but also because he’d promised to design a gruelling workout. Although I love swimming, I generally adopt a leisurely approach. As in, I usually find myself sharing the slow lane with octogenarians in chin-strap bathing caps. It seemed like swimming with Lane would be somewhat more intense.
With its vaulted ceilings and vintage photos lining the walls, Hart House has always struck me as an eminently civilized place to exercise. The pool itself is rather small (only 25 yards), with a lovely Art Deco skylight overhead. The environs seem much more suited to afternoon tea than workouts of the heart-pumping, arms-throbbing, lungs-burning variety.
When I arrived at Hart House, Lane—who coached speed swimming during high school and undergrad—explained that we would be alternating laps in the pool with exercises on the pool deck. We would start with a small number of laps, and then build up from there. So far, so good.
After a few warm-up laps, Lane hopped out onto the pool deck and asked: “So, how many push-ups can you reasonably do?” Fear struck my heart; I will happily portage a canoe for a kilometre, but I absolutely loathe push-ups. “Um… six?” I replied. To his credit, Lane was completely unfazed by my woeful lack of upper-body strength. He led me through a series of arm exercises and gave me lots of encouragement.
Over the next thirty minutes, we switched between swimming laps in the water and doing core, shoulder and leg work on the deck—plus some stretching, which was a relief for my poor accustomed-to-yoga body. In the name of journalistic inquiry, I asked Lane about his background in swimming; chit-chatting also gave me an excuse to stretch out the breaks between exercises.
By the end, my arms felt mushy and powerless, but I was loving being in the water. Swimming laps can sometimes get tedious, but Lane’s workout kept things interesting. Plus, I was mad impressed by Lane’s butterfly stroke.
Practical details: Access to Hart House fitness facilities, including the pool, is free upon presentation of your student card. From Monday to Friday, the pool is open 7:00-9:00 AM, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM and 4:00 PM-10:30 PM. Click here for complete schedule information (including weekend and holiday hours). Towel service is available for a small fee—a nice option if you want to avoid schlepping a soggy towel around after your swim. Hart House also hosts free drop-in AquaFit classes several times per week; check out the schedule here.
Meeting of the Minds 