While weightlifting at FHC is often correlated to the football team, coach Tim Rogers is hoping to expand lifting to all students. Many students find themselves paying for memberships at Planet Fitness or the YMCA, but little might they know, FHC students have their own weight room, trainer, and a time slot during school to get their work in for no cost.

FHC has offered a strength and conditioning class for 11 years so far, and as of recent years, first-semester courses range from 4th to 6th hour while the second semester ranges from 0 to 2nd hour. The main deterrent from class is often fear of what others think in the weight room; however, coach Rogers has worked diligently to make the class about positivity and progress.

“Everyone is nervous stepping into the weight room the first time,” Rogers stated. “What I try to enforce is that everyone has gone down the ‘first-time’ road, but just like any other class or nervous experience, you have to push through.” 

The strength and conditioning class is about improvement for new lifters but can also improve an athlete’s skills in any sport. Sports are all about explosive movements and the ability to change direction fast. Rogers tackles these points heavily throughout the class. 

“[Strength and conditioning] will benefit an athlete in two ways,” Rogers explained. “First, it will help him or her prevent injury. Strength training will make the athlete more durable and less susceptible to injury. Second, it will make the athlete bigger, faster, and stronger.” 

One common trend in the class is the astonishing male-to-female ratio in the class. Many classes can enroll around 30 to 40 students, hypothetically with only two being females in some classes. However, those ladies that do take this course come out to be tough as nails. Freshman volleyball star Sadie Koffman discussed her transition into high school and the weight room. 

“In the beginning, it was intimidating and awkward,” Sadie discussed. “Luckily, after the first few days, it felt like any other class. Coach Rogers made me feel comfortable and excited to try something new. The boys in the class were very welcoming and made me feel like I was the same as everyone else.” 

As stated before, fear is the biggest deterrent to the class. Bullying is unfortunately a real thing across any high school, so adding a factor such as working out can bring heightened anxiety to students, not to mention, female students. 

“I think girls get intimidated about not fitting in and feeling like they don’t belong there,” Sadie said. “I also think they might feel awkward if they can’t relate to the guys in the class, making the class less enjoyable.” 

Coach Rogers understands the anxiety students may feel as they begin their weightlifting journeys. As much as he may hide it, he wasn’t always the stout and gritty football coach FHC has come to know. 

“Some people are blessed with natural strength, most are not. Those who are not, get anxiety walking into a weight room,” Rogers said. “I was not blessed with natural strength so I had to work at it. Like most things in life, the more effort you put into it, the more you will get out.” 

Rogers has started to gear the class towards building athleticism, but that doesn’t mean non-athletes can’t take away any positives from this class. The class teaches students the basics of lifting and which muscles each lift targets. It will also touch on lifetime workouts for older people who can’t handle the stress on their joints that weightlifting brings. 

Incoming freshmen may even find a sense of belonging through this class. It builds brotherhood and sisterhood from struggling through workouts together. Even seniors who may not play a sport can use it as a way to keep themselves fit. Senior Luke Brown’s days as an athlete are over, but that doesn’t stop him from loving to lift and keep his body in shape. 

“Lifting is important for me because not only does it improve my body but also my mind,” Luke discussed. “Especially if you are a freshman, hitting that new max and boosting your self-confidence can be beneficial to your mind and body.” 

FHC athletics are as excellent as they are for a reason. Many athletes take the course and gain that much-needed explosiveness. While Rogers is the head football coach, he loves to see all sports thrive off his teachings.

“When I arrived I realized we had a great need for athletes to get training done during the normal school day,” Rogers explained. “All too often they are asked to do it before or after school which for some is not possible. Now, our athletes have no excuses. We have multiple times throughout the school day that they can take my class both semesters.” 

Rogers hopes to reach all students with his philosophy on lifting. He understands the fear a student may feel but also knows how important it is to push that same student. After all, this is a class dedicated to progress and goals. 

“Every day is a chance to get better in our class and have a personal best,” Rogers discussed. “Little improvements each day turn into big improvements at the end of the semester.”