The Reach Out: Kyle Kondik
The managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball appreciates the walkability of Washington, tunes out politics -- and into NBA podcasts -- while exercising.
Kyle Kondik is managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the University of Virginia Center for Politics’ nonpartisan newsletter on American campaigns and elections. He is the author of The Long Red Thread, a history of the growth of Republican power in the U.S. House of Representatives, and The Bellwether, a history of Ohio’s presidential voting history.
Kondik has discussed American politics and elections on CNN, PBS NewsHour, Fox News, MSNBC, and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
Kyle previously served as a reporter, editorial page editor, and political columnist at newspapers in Northeast Ohio.
I reached out to Kyle Kondik to find out why keeping active is important to him.
How is regular exercise part of your life?
My wife and I and our young son live in Northeast Washington – it is a very walkable area, and we really like to take advantage of that. So I/we try to walk to places whenever we can, and I also make use of the city’s Bike Share service from time to time (pre-pandemic, I used to use it to go to interviews and meetings, which is sometimes a bad idea in a DC summer).
Do you have a specific routine or do you fit in physical activity whenever you can?
I do not have a specific time to workout, but my primary exercise is going for a run around the neighborhood of 2-3 miles. I basically just try to do it whenever I can. I am still kind of amazed that I am able to run, as I am a bigger person who never had the stamina for it when I was younger. But several years ago, on the advice of a doctor who told me I had to lose weight, I started running (as opposed to doing the elliptical in the gym, which is what I used to do). It really helped me lose weight, and even though a lot of that weight has returned in the pandemic era, I still feel like I am in much better shape as I approach 40 than when I was approaching 30.
Have your exercise habits changed since the pandemic began?
Yes. My wife and I (particularly her) used to go to classes at an interval training studio, but we stopped because of the pandemic and have not returned because of it (and because we had a baby in fall 2020). I probably went something like 6-8 times a month, and it was a good workout. Perhaps we’ll go back at some point or do something else, although for me, personally, I feel like I can get a good workout without doing a class.
We moved out a year before the pandemic, but my wife and I used to live in a condo building, and one great workout I used to do would be to run the stairs in the fire escape. It really got my heartrate up and only took 15 minutes or so. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement in our current neighborhood.
Do you use a fitness app to track your steps or remind you to get moving?
Yes, I wear an Apple Watch. I am able to “close my rings” most days, although it’s easier when it’s not winter.
Is there something that motivates you to keep active and exercise regularly?
Now that I have a son, I’d like to be around for him as long as possible, and there are a lot of health issues historically in my family (heart problems, diabetes, other things) that I may have to deal with later in life. So those are great reasons to try to be as active as possible.
Do you watch the news, or listen to podcasts or music, while you exercise?
I almost exclusively listen to podcasts while exercising, and those podcasts are almost always about my beloved Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA more broadly. My mania for the NBA likely has at least something to do with my late father, as we talked about the Cavs all the time (and many other things too – I was fortunate to have a great relationship with my dad, just like I have with my mom, who is doing well). And I also like to use my exercise time as a way to think about something other than my day job (covering elections and politics). I consume plenty of political and election news throughout the day anyway.
Is there a sport or fitness trend that you would like to try?
My wife was a rower in high school, and I have liked using the rowing machine in the past. That would be a nice thing to have for workouts at home.
I agree with Kyle about tuning out news and politics every now and then.
Thank you, @kkondik
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