Weight Room Renovation Allows Athletes To Do More

Weight room renovations finish in the middle of a pandemic, stifling the weight room’s ability to serve all students but still meeting the years awaited expectations of students, staff, and dance team alike.

The weight room was in the working and proposal for years, according to physical education teacher Aaron Rusch. Several community and school members have waited years for the renovation to occur.

Rusch said the old weight room was “lacking if you look at other schools” and he “can’t wait to use [the new weight room] every single day.”

Last year the weight room was open to all HUHS students and staff. In previous years, a teacher would open the weight room after school or during a resource period for students. Depending on how many students there are and how long they stay, the weight room could be open until 5:30 in the evening.

If a staff member wants to go to the weight room, the same applies except that he or she can stay as long as they want with or without another adult. However this year that may not apply.

Despite Rusch wanting to have the weight room open to all students after school, and perhaps during resource period as well, for personal development, the school board has not approved this proposition. Currently, only in-season and select sport teams are able to use the weight room while the coach keeps it open.

Of course, school gym classes are also able to use the new weight room. Senior Richard Pouzar appreciates the new facility. It helps him get through his work outs faster without waiting in line for other students to finish.

“The amount of equipment has greatly affected the speed. What really helps with this is the fact that there are two sides with barbells on the which allows us to do leg workouts on one side and arms on the other,” said Pouzar. He has used the new machines as a replacement for other techniques.

For example, instead of doing a plank for abs, a bench press for pectorals and other exercises separately students can use the new rowing machine to work all those same muscle groups for a full body workout with higher efficiency.

Pouzar has been able to do workouts he couldn’t before, thanks to the new weight room facility and equipment. The dance team also benefits from the new facility.

The new facility includes an upgraded audio visual system and a new dance floor with a full length mirror.

In the old area where they practiced, the cafeteria, “The floor was really hard,” said Senior dance team member Abby Hawkins. She said the floor was basically tile on top of concrete. The hardness of the floor made it harder and more difficult to do certain moves.

Athletic Director Scott Helms said, “[The new dance floor] is a soft rubber studio floor made for dance and yoga studios.” This floor better serves the dance team and is beneficial.

Hawkins also finds the new additions such as the full length mirror and the upgraded audio visual system to be helpful. The mirror makes practicing as a group and in - sync easier.

Rusch is excited about the new weight room. He hopes a new sense of normalcy will return and allow him to open the weight room up to all students and staff after school.