Cedar Springs — In Cedar Springs, strength training is not just for athletes.
The high school’s strength and conditioning program has flourished in recent years, since teacher Derek Ash eliminated prerequisites and made the class open to anyone.
Students are finding that the lessons learned in the weight room are applicable well beyond its walls, and both athletes and non-athletes are getting hooked on physical fitness.
Interest in the program has grown exponentially, and the sessions — which stretch throughout the day — are filled. So are the additional before- and after-school sessions.
In fact, the program is on the verge of outgrowing its allotted space in the former high school wrestling room. A new facility is on the way as one of the district’s 2020 bond projects, slated to open in August.
Hard Work, Drive, Grit
Prior to the start of Ash’s tenure in 2021, the strength and conditioning program was reserved for athletes and students who’d already taken PE. Eliminating those restrictions helped get more bodies in the door, but it’s what the students did once they got there that really made a difference.
“People make the program,” Ash said. “The athletes and the students … create an environment that is welcoming but still is competitive and high energy. Once kids get in it, they realize it’s a great outlet for them throughout the day.”
Ash also attributes the program’s success to the fact that students take such great pride in the work. Many now have leadership roles in the class and help newcomers feel welcome and encouraged.
One such leader is a senior named Quinton, a varsity baseball player and track runner who’s taken to helping less-experienced students during the program’s after-school sessions.
“I try to be an open book for anybody — any of the new guys or girls — that have questions, so anyone can experience the weight room the way I have,” said Quinton, who asked that his last name not be used. “My reward is just being able to see them get the same impact from the class that I did.”
‘The athletes and the students … create an environment that is welcoming but still is competitive and high energy.’
— Cedar Springs High School teacher Derek Ash
Quinton recalled when he started out in the program a few years back: “I was small, scrawny and not anything of an athlete.” Now an all-district catcher on the baseball team, he’s seen gains aplenty, not just in the weight room, but in school in general.
His confidence is up, and he wants to pass that along to newer students.
“This class has helped me meet so many new people, see so many new people, and just build character and build confidence in myself,” he said. “I’m hoping to instill that into the next groups of people.”
Freshman Ethan Litz is another student who’s taken to helping and recruiting others. Though it’s only his first year, Ethan, an accomplished power-lifter, is already drafting friends into the program and mentoring them as they get acquainted with strength and speed conditioning.
The benefits of the program are manifold, said Ethan.
“It builds confidence, helps me focus in classes — it’s really just a life-changer.”
Senior Alyssa Krol said strength and conditioning has helped her with drive, focus and motivation.
“However hard you’re going to push yourself is up to you. So if you want to see results you have to work every single day,” she said, adding that this is true of academics as well.
As a result of the program, Alyssa finds she’s done “a lot more self-motivating” in her AP classes, pushing herself to stay on top of the material and earn high marks.
“I’d encourage all athletes especially to do it, but also non-athletes,” she said of the program. “It’s a way to blow off steam and get all your energy out, and I just think it’s helpful overall.”
Ian VanderLugt, a senior, is one of the newcomers to the group. He had no prior interest in athletics, and when he first signed up for the class it was just to get the credit. But once he started, he found a lot to like about the class.
“There’s a lot of people here that help push you,” Ian said. “I was really nervous going in as a senior that lacks experience (but) I found it was really welcoming.”
He said his work in the class has improved his confidence and self-esteem and taught him “good lessons about hard work, drive, grit.”
“It’s about personal improvement — doing your personal best.”
New Facility Coming
Ash said his hope is that every student in the high school gets to participate in the program, which he thinks is a great way to address stress, anxiety and other mental health issues.
“What helps increase mental health awareness? Getting active and feeling good about yourself,” Ash said.
That’s why he’s done what he can to remove the barriers that may have deterred students from taking the class in the past.
One more barrier — space limitations — will be removed when the new facility is complete. The 8,963-square-foot new high school addition will bring 20 new training stations, and it will have about twice the capacity of the current space.
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