Teenagers have become a large part of the movement toward physical fitness.

Interest in physical fitness has become increasingly popular in the past 20 years. Much of this is due to innovations in gym equipment and the societal push toward a healthy lifestyle.

Through experience in high school sports, teen athletes gain knowledge of physical health that can last a lifetime. Many young athletes today also are taking the initiative to invest in personal trainers and more unconventional regimens in order to reach their maximum potential. Others are training on their own outside of their teams' practices.

As many high school athletes are serious about reaching their highest aptitude in their sport, many naturally seek to obtain college scholarships. One way athletes do this is by hiring a personal trainer. A trainer guides them in maintaining adequate fitness levels necessary for reaching their goal of college play.

Stacey Clark, a graduate of Elco High School, works privately with a personal trainer.

"I chose to begin working with a trainer because I wanted to improve my speed, agility, strength and endurance, especially in preparation for an upcoming tennis season," Clark said "It was very helpful to have an accountability partner rather than me trying to complete work outs on my own."

Twin hockey players Tyler and Kyle Pettoni have trained with Brandon Greenawalt at McMillan Training Systems in Lancaster. When they have worked with a trainer, the boys have experienced a vast improvement in their fitness.

Tyler and Kyle appreciate the personalized feel of having a trainer, and are motivated to keep in shape year-round because of the fun and beneficial aspects.

Clark saw great improvement in her tennis game after a few weeks of working with a trainer.

"I found that when my opponents may have had better technical skills, I had an advantage in my endurance and not getting as tired as them throughout long points and long matches."

Greenawalt places heavy emphasis on the importance of the well-rounded athlete when working with his clients.

Like many serious athletes, avid softball player Christin Miller began sharpening her skills in the hope of obtaining a college athletic scholarship.

Miller, a freshman at Manheim Township High School, began training with Phil Franco at the Parisi Speed School, at Universal Athletic Club, last spring as a way to improve her game. While her sessions used to be group clinics, she now enjoys private training, as she can better focus on her individual softball development.

In addition to high school practices, Miller feels working with Franco is a great advantage in improving her game. She appreciates learning proper running form, which has enabled her to run faster and longer on the softball field. She works on scenarios specific to softball, helping her prepare for "getting caught in a run-down or if I have to steal a base."

In addition to school team practice and personal training, Miller plays on a 14s (players 14 years of age) tournament team and trains with the advanced 18U (players 18 and under) tournament team, works with a hitting coach, and even helps to catch for her school teammates' practices.

Eileen Barker, a senior at Lancaster Mennonite School, takes a different and more common approach to staying fit year-round.

As a tennis, soccer and basketball player, Barker recognizes the importance of maintaining good physical condition, and accomplishes this through a self-guided routine.

Like many teen athletes, she belongs to her local gym and trains inside during the winter months. Barker noted that getting in shape for one sport helps prepare for another sport, as many share similar characteristics. For example, good footwork on the tennis court translates into good footwork on the soccer field. Barker has taken private tennis lessons and clinics at Racquet Club West in Lancaster. Working there with her private tennis coach, Oliver Merrill, contributes greatly to her technical skills, footwork and physical and mental stamina, Barker said.

"The greatest advantage in having a personal trainer is that they can provide personalized workout plans for you based upon your goals," Clark said. "They are extremely knowledgeable in their field and can help you obtain goals for sports season, losing weight, getting in shape, treating injuries, etc."

She also said that trainers enable athletes to learn certain physical exercises properly, which lessens the likelihood of injury.

Listening to your body and having positive energy are crucial to obtaining an optimal fitness level, Greenawalt said.

However, there are those who can motivate themselves on their own.

"I like getting in shape on my own because it challenges me more in the area of mental discipline," Barker said. "I'm getting in shape mentally as well as physically."

There are countless ways to get in shape and remain in shape, if you are aiming for a sport-related goal or simply want to reap the many benefits of physical health. Teen athletes today are creative and resourceful when it comes to maintaining healthy fitness levels. Many pursue serious athletic goals, and work constantly to attain these goals.

Whether it's hiring a personal trainer, belonging to a gym or simply using the great outdoors to get in shape, teen athletes are making significant strides in learning about and maintaining an active life.