The Pain Train is Departing the Station

19 January 2013Joel B, Ellis '13

As Austin G leaves Ellis house, he knows his time has come. Staring at the ground, he staggers on his stiff, mistreated legs to the old academic block only to have his path blocked by a grueling obstacle: stairs. Luckily it is not an icy day and within 5 minutes, with the help of the handrail, he reaches the landing and the entrance of the dungeon. By now he is deep within the old academic block.

Few venture this deep; fewer return.

At the end of the dark corridor, a hellish chamber is coming into focus, full of treacherous machines and devices whose purpose is solely to cause pain. Through the final doorway, he can see the other victims swaying around the poorly lit chamber, the dungeon master’s lair. Helping the dungeon master are his two minions who prowl constantly keeping the crazed souls under control.

When all are corralled near the center of the chamber the ritual begins: with chains and weights tied to their ankles, they are forced to pull their heads over a bar repeatedly until they can no longer hang on and fall to the ground in misery.

This is Varsity Training.

Between 2 and 6 each Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon four groups of dedicated athletes fall under of the direction of Mr. Healy and his team of Varsity Strength and Conditioning coaches. After Christmas, as a cruel welcome back, the program is ramped up to bring everyone to top performance for the spring competitive season. Dubbed “The Pain Train” this regime includes hazardous amounts of Bulgarian split squats, chin ups, bench presses and the gut wrenching ab rollers. After each training session, students labor up the dreadful stairs and mindlessly make their way to dinner looking forward to the next session of punishment in 48 hours.

Some, however, are more enthusiastic about this new program. Damian P, for example, can be seen willing inflicting pain on himself and encouraging others to do the same while Davin K’s voice can be heard above the moans and screams as he repeatedly reminds all that "THE TRAIN IS BACK IN THE STATION!" With Mr. Healy’s classic workout music, and the encouragement of all those who share the pain, many find it possible to push themselves to their maximum.

Emerging after training, many wear their affliction as battle scars, holding their heads high as they waddle down hallways on defeated legs or hold up the south Ross staircase during the cookie break rush. They are easy to spot, stumbling into things in the cafeteria or struggling to get in and out of chairs, but they are proud, and they exchange glances of understanding with each other.

Varsity Training is an environment that creates a league of female and male students who can train together, push each other harder, and discover drive and grit. This is possible because of the great facilities that Brentwood has provided. With a full range of torture devices, every muscle can be trained properly. Even more important are the trainers, Mr. Healy, Mrs. Sheck and Ms. Watson who teach the exercises and push us when our own motivation is not enough. The Pain Train is part of Brentwood tradition now, something students will be able to look forward to for years to come.

Have you booked your seat on the Pain Train? All Aboard!

Joel B, Ellis ‘13