Both students and student-athletes will have an extra opportunity to put in work in the weight room this summer as Aberdeen School District launches its summer conditioning program.
The program is open to any student in the district from seventh to 12th grade and is open to student-athletes and students just looking to get in better shape in between school years.
Parents or guardians must sign an informed consent form to allow the student to participate and there is no additional fee for taking the classes.
The conditioning program will be lead by Aberdeen High school head baseball coach Shon Schreiber and head football coach Todd Bridge.
Bridge and Schreiber will be providing instruction on weight lifting as well as leading exercises that improve flexibility, cardio and endurance.
Aberdeen athletic director Aaron Roiko said he is looking forward to the positive impact the conditioning program will have on high school athletics in the area.
“The off season workouts and opportunity for kids to build strength and agility is what will help all programs,” he said. “We wanted all students and athletes to be able to come and workout with the right structure to improve their skills. We’re excited about that, it’s another step in the right direction to build our programs.”
Workouts will be available in two sessions. Monday through Friday from June 24 through July 31 Schreiber will lead the morning session from 10 a.m. to noon while Bridge will lead the evening session from 7 to 9 p.m.
The conditioning program isn’t specific to any one sport but Bridge is particularly excited for what the weight lifting program can do for anyone interested in playing football.
“I’ve seen it as a football coach, it builds chemistry when the team lifts together,” he said. “They see each other’s struggles and there are pats on the back when they do well. It helps build players into a team.”
With younger students who may not be experienced weight lifters, avoiding injury will be a priority. Bridge said after working with his own children, he has come up with a weight lifting program that won’t put too much stress on young bodies.
“I’ve developed a junior high workout that deals with development of technique that won’t make them susceptible to injury,” he said. “I started having my kids do low weight with high reps when they were in middle school and it spring-boarded their careers.”
Due to liability issues, offseason workouts led by private groups have been restricted by the school district.
With workout opportunities limited in the area, Roiko said he is glad to have the support of the district in funding two conditioning coach positions.
“We’ve been trying to figure out ways to gets kids more engaged in off season workouts. It requires dedication and commitment to be successful on the playing field,” he said. “I’m really glad the district is supporting it and funding it.”
