All athletes at Airport High School should be weightlifting to improve their sports performance

by Ellie F.

Recently at Airport High School all sports have started weightlifting, including some sport weightlifting during a class period.

Airport High School has recently incorporated weight training into every sports schedule under the new A.D. Shane Fidler. Most sports are weight lifting during a class period throughout the day. Though some students do not have the ability to work the class into their schedule many students who are in the class have seen many benefits.

In agreement with Coach Fidler, yes, all athletes should be weightlifting in preparation for the sports they play.

First of all, the benefits of weightlifting are well attested-to in the research. There are many health benefits when athletes weight lift and it helps prevent injuries that could happen throughout the sports season. Weightlifting increases strength, muscular endurance and power. It also improves flexibility, speed, agility, coordination, and balance. It also decreases fatigue and improves glucose metabolism. According to USA weightlifting, “The sport of weightlifting is an excellent tool to improve all aspects of physical health including physique, dynamic stability, sports performance, and protection against injury.” A New York Times article states, “Many top athletes spend lots of time in gyms lifting weights, and many trainers and coaches swear by it.”

Secondly, many athletes at the next level after high school have to lift, so it makes sense for high school athletes to weightlift in preparation. According to The Sports Journal, “Effective strength and conditioning programs are mandatory for athletic success, especially at levels beyond middle and high school.” If athletes want to go beyond even playing sports in college they will still need to be open to weightlifting. Most athletes that play pro sports lift at least once a day. Mint Lounge says, “ No professional athlete’s day is complete without a session of strength training. No matter the sport, the professional athletes, playing at the highest level or in the lowest league, every player has to spend time in the gym working on their muscles and strength.” If more athletes were to start strength training in high school they might be more prepared if they are looking to play at the collegiate level or higher.

Lastly, the benefits of weightlifting go beyond physical benefits. When in the weight room athletes will bond with their teammates and build a stronger relationship with each other. When lifting weights a person should almost always have someone else with them. Many times when someone is lifting they will have a spotter to be there just in case something goes wrong. Having another person in the gym with you also gives you a boost that one may need to make it through the workout. When maxing, there may be a time where one needs an extra boost from the cheering of other people, having teammates there might give the extra excitement to reach that new goal.

Someone who thinks that weightlifting is not beneficial might say that lifting weights is dangerous if not done correctly. When someone is in the weight room there should always be another person in there in case something were to happen, so safety isn’t really compromised if the students are properly supervised. There should also be a coach that teaches students how to properly lift the weights to prevent injuries from happening in the weight room. Critics may also say that weightlifting during a class period is a waste of time when students could be working on their academics, or that students may not take strength training seriously and slack off during that time period. However, scheduling is a big part of weightlifting, and using the instructional day to schedule students in a weightlifting class is not taken lightly; there is logic in it.. At Airport High there is only one weight room. This causes many scheduling issues if sports have to lift after school. Having weightlifting throughout the day makes scheduling easier, since all the sports don’t have to fight over who gets a spot in the weight room. There may be some students who do not want to put the work in to get better at their sport. If students aren’t willing to weight lift with their team then they should not be doing the sport. There are so many benefits the team will see if every student has the right work ethic for getting better at their sport.

Coach Stoudemire, the weightlifting coach at Airport High School said, “Strength and Conditioning is important for athletes because it generates force production, in any sport you have to have force production to create power. Secondly it helps with injury prevention, in layman's terms weak things break easy, to prevent that you need strength and conditioning. The third thing is it helps the brain work with motor units for neuromuscular activity, so that you are better coordinated.” when asked why athletes should be weightlifting.

“I like weightlifting because it makes me feel strong when I lift heavy and I love watching people hit a new PR,” said Alyssa C., a female softball player.

As has now been shown, all athletes should be weightlifting in preparation for the sports they play. Weightlifting gives an athlete many health benefits and helps the athlete not get injured. It also helps athletes get prepared to play sports at the next level, while also giving athletes many team bonding opportunities. If you would like to start weightlifting with your teammates here is a link to some things you can do to start by The Mayo Clinic.