The Case for Upgrading Your Weight Room

One of the first steps in rebuilding a high school program can be upgrading the weight room.


By Bryan Burns, FNF Coaches Contributing Writer

High school coaches should consider four ways in which the program can improve before investing in a new weight room. 

Outwork the Competition: Mission Bay High School in San Diego, Calif., became the 16th high school in San Diego County to receive a new weight room courtesy of the San Diego Chargers. The $75,000 gift replaced outdated equipment, installed new flooring and increased the size of the facility. For the Chargers, the donation was about promoting healthy lifestyles in the community and helping to fight juvenile obesity.

Safety First: As weightlifting equipment gets older and worn out, the chance for serious injury due to equipment failure rises. New weight rooms incorporate safety measures like floor inlays, which replace traditional platforms to minimize trips and falls, and proper facility design to prevent too much equipment for the space available.

Team Building: Small, cramped weight rooms prevent entire teams from lifting together, segregating the team by position. A large facility promotes camaraderie by allowing everybody to conduct workouts at the same time and encourage each other as one unit.

Team Branding and Graphics: By updating the weight room, programs can include the school logo on plates, benches, dumb bells or anywhere it is aesthetically pleasing to promote the school brand. Wall graphics of former superstars or championship teams provide motivation for current players and educate them on the history of the program.