Jets CB Buster Skrine's Pros vs. Joes, a high intensity interval training (HIIT) class to raise money for charity, exceeded his expectations.
"Today was so turned up," Skrine said following the event on April 1. "It was a great turnout and we raised a lot of money for Boys & Girls Club Hoboken, Eternally Cherised and Path Mentorship. I thank the whole city of New York for coming out today."
Skrine led a crowd of roughly 200 people through a 40-mintue workout at Lifetime Athletic Sky in Manhattan. As he glanced around the dark room with disco lights shining and pop music playing in the background, he saw a couple familiar faces. CB Marcus Williams and RB Bilal Powell flew in from Minnesota and Kentucky, respectively, on their own dime to help their teammate.
"I'm here to support what Buster is doing with Path Mentorship," Williams said. "Being a mentor to kids who need it and single mothers as well, it was something I couldn't miss. Buster told me about it and I told him right away I'd be down to come get the workout in and also give to the cause."
"At the end of the day, I know Buster would do the same for me," Powell said. "I know how much hard work he put in whatever he's doing. Checking out the class, it looks really intense."
Even for the professional football players, the workout was difficult. Williams and Powell both scaled it a 10 out of 10 and were impressed with the "Joes."
"I'd say it's more intense and constant," Williams said. "In football we usually practice doing things for seven seconds and then stop. The workout that he had is more cardio with jumping jacks, pushups and a lot of agility things that keep going without any break."
But no one tapped out of the class. Luisa Oliveira, one of the participants, said that Skrine inspired her in both the gym and the community.
"I think it was pretty cool because not a lot of people do this nowadays," Oliveira said. "It was very generous of him to take the time to come out, lead this class and help the charity."
Skrine will continue to teach his classes throughout the offseason, but the ball is in motion for another event at Lifetime Athletic at Sky in the summer. Teaser: this one will involve the pool.
