New on Sports Illustrated: UNC Finding Creative Ways for Student-Athletes to Stay in Shape at Home

Backpacks stuffed with books. Duffle bags filled with sand. This is what at-home workout equipment looks like during a pandemic. At North Carolina, head strength coach Brian Hess is doing all he can to think of creative ways for his athletes to stay conditioned. “Instead of a dumbbell squat, we’re giving them direction on how to fill a duffle bag with sand or books or anything that they have to give it some weight. It’s the same movement, but now we’re loading it with anything we can put together at home.” SI’s Laken Litman gives a glimpse into Hess’ unique strategy to keep his student-athletes as active as possible.