Strength & Conditioning 1

27 February 2020Jack P, Whittall ‘20; Photo by Mike Minckler

Brentwood’s Strength & Conditioning program is a great opportunity. It is a one-hour, supervised workout program run on arts afternoons: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It is a chance for anyone to start working out or continue getting in shape along with going to open gym on sports days.

Before discovering Strength & Conditioning, it was unlikely that I would ever hit a gym of any kind. I couldn’t spell bench press, and probably couldn’t do a pull up to save my life. Now, I’ve been a part of the process for about a year and a half, and I have, no doubt, increased my strength over time. I might not have massive protruding pectorals, but I am no longer the twig-shaped skinny lad that I used to be.

The great thing about it is: the S&C centre makes it easy. First, there is a preliminary 30 minute screening of simple functional movements. Afterwards, there are two programs that anyone can be sorted into based on their screening scores and previous workout experience – the novice or varsity workout. Both are self explanatory: novice for people who have hardly ever worked out (I was a novice once) and an upper-tier workout for athletes with some gym hours already under their belt.

Even better than that, however, is that there are more specific options for individual sports. Rugby, tennis, hockey, or basketball focused workouts are all available to try. As Sahib R, Whittall ‘20 says, “It’s an amazing opportunity for young and old athletes to get stronger, faster, and overall better at their respective sport.” The coaches are generally flexible about switching programs, so no one would have to commit to one if they weren’t entirely enjoying it.

Strength & Conditioning is not a big commitment, and can go a long way in developing muscles, cardio, or whatever you are trying to improve upon in your body. “I really enjoy S& C because it helps me get those gains and stay in shape,” says Hallie S, Mackenzie ‘20. With all that it can do, you might as well give it a try.

Jack P, Whittall ‘20

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