ers participate in dynamic, 360-degree
movements that involve balance, shifting
weight, strength and toning.
“You can’t get this type of workout in a
gym or cycling bike or a treadmill,” Borrajo
said. “You can’t get the same team vibe.”
On a Thursday evening at a park on the
Lower East side, dressed in a bright pink
soccer shirt, he instructed his class through
a relay involving running through ladders
on the ground, reaching a cone, holding a
plank, doing pushups and squatting holding
the soccer ball. As the two people raced to
fi nish fi rst, their teammates, who were sitting
and waiting for their turn, cheered them on,
reminiscent of gym class.
That’s the idea, according to Borrajo. He
creates “game field” exercises that build
a community, where people encourage
each other to be their best.
“We’re all big kids at the end of the day,”
he said. “It’s fun to be part of a team.”
Later, he led the participants through a
circuit where they paired off — some were
doing squats with a restraint band around
their legs while others passed the ball. At
16 NOVEMBER 2 0 1 8
the end, he set up a goal, and they took turns
kicking on the line to try to make it. He said
he always ends with a game with a wager. In
this case, if his participants got the goal and
he didn’t, he agreed to do pushups.
“It’s all about building a team, a community
where people can come to a fitness
class and there is no judgement,” Borrajo
said. “They push each other, empower
each other and support each other.”
Nicholas Alexandrakos, a high school
physical education teacher and a director
of athletics, found out about SoccerShape
through other Cosmos fans. He said he
started taking classes this summer in Astoria,
and found they help improve strength,
endurance and agility on the individual
level, while incorporating team and partner
activities.
“Even when you are working out alone,
you are always part of the community,” he
said. “There are also mental strength and
mindfulness activities that you would not
expect to be associated with a high-intensity
fitness class. It’s so much more than an
hour-long soccer bootcamp course.”
MIND + BODY