Varsity Strength and Conditioning

21 October 2012Lauren A, '13

Varsity Strength and Conditioning is a program developed by Mr. Healy and Mrs. Scheck to assist varsity athletes by increasing their strength, preventing injury, and promoting proper movement patterns. The program has been running in the new varsity gym for the past three years. Known as Varsity Training among the students, this is an option for any varsity level athlete.

In order to be enrolled in this sport specific program, students must be invited by Mr. Healy and Mrs. Scheck after being requested to be in the program by their varsity coach. Mrs. Scheck describes the program as “a foundation” for athletes to learn the proper ways to work out and increase their performance

Each year starts with a series of fitness tests designed to highlight improvements in each athlete’s abilities throughout the course of the year. Some of these tests include the infamous beep test, sprint test, agility test, vertical jump, broad jump, and basic skills and strength tests. After the evaluations are complete, the coaches teach the athletes the proper way to roll, stretch and activate.

Foam rolling is a way to self-massage the muscles by applying pressure to sore muscles on cylindrical foam rollers. After rolling, a full circuit of stretching occurs followed by activation. Activation is a way to warm up the muscles before starting with the weight or most strenuous workout. The combination of the three pre-workout activities prevents injury and efficiently warms up the athlete.

For the first few days a standard workout for all athletes is introduced to provide a foundation for the new members of the program. The program being sport specific, it then branches off into workouts designed for each varsity sport. For example, the rugby players participate in the rugby workout designed to increase their ability in that specific sport, while the rowers also have a specialized workout. By providing tailored workouts for every varsity sport, the athletes get the opportunity to increase their strength and skill in their main sport.

The coaches of the varsity sports encourage their athletes to join this program because they realize the positive impact it has made on their athletes’ abilities. Varsity Strength and Conditioning is an amazing program that greatly improves the varsity athletes of Brentwood College School and helps them reach their full potential.

Lauren A, ‘13