F O R D H A M P R E PA R AT O R Y S C H O O L October, 2006 Volume 67, Number 1 Rampart by Mike Hughes,’07 State of the Art Fitness Center Is Welcome Addition to the Prep For most prep students, it is hard to imagine a weight room where everyone can move around freely. The old workout center was are meant to produce more muscle and also slightly improve heart strength. These three sections guarantee that all Prep students will be able to receive a workout of their choice. According to Mr. McLaughlin, the biggest weakness in our sport teams was the lack of weight training. Most students would not use the Prep weight room, because of the lack of or age of the equipment. These students would go to their local gyms and often not know what they were doing. However, now with the addition of the new weight room, coaches can bring their entire team into the room and lead the workouts they would like their team doing. This allows for athletes to get the workouts they need to be successsmall, cramped, and old. Fordham had one of ful. The weight room will not just be limited the worst facilities around. This all changed at to the football or wrestling teams either. Many the beginning of this year. With a very gener- other sports have shown interest in using it, such as the swim team. ous donation, Fordham now has one of the Athletes are not the only people nicest facilities of any high school in the area. using the weight room though. Everyday after The weight room is separated into three different sections. The first is the cardio school from 3:45-5:30 there are between fifty and eighty students machines. Among using the room. The these machines are weight room is not just treadmills, 2 styles of about getting in better bicycles, and elliptishape. The Prep also cals. These machines wanted to stress comare meant to improve munity. The gym is a heart strength and also great place to get to to burn fat. The secmeet new people. Eveond section contains ryday there are numerthe nautilus machines. ous kids in the room These resistance mamaking new friends. chines are meant to Students are work a few specific not just building relamuscles. There is a tionships with each machine for almost other. Many teachers every muscle you are becoming active in could want to work the new fitness room. Before the year started, out. The third and final section is a favorite the teachers were shown how to use the maamong students, the free weights. There are chines and were encouraged to make use of dumbbells as well as barbells. These weights the new facility. Many teachers have done so more often. This is leading to a new sense of community at the Prep. Not only are students and faculty getting in better shape, but they are also forming bonds. This has always tried to be stressed at Fordham, but now it is becoming easier than ever to get to know your teachers. The Prep is trying to get more students to utilize this new service. Over the next few cycles, all students will use the weight room during gym. Hopefully this will peak the interest of some students to use the room more often. In the gym classes, students will be shown how to use the machines and will even be able to get a small workout in. Also the Prep is looking to bring in a strength coach from Fordham University to do a one day program to help more students understand how to use this great new room. As you can see, the new weight room is a great new tool for both students and faculty. Not only will it boost the performance of our athletic teams and help to get people in better shape, but it will also provide a great sense of community among all those at the prep. I strongly encourage everyone to give it a try. Not only will you get yourself in the best shape of your life, but you will also make new friends and grow closer to your teachers.