If you walk into the Redwood sports weight room right now, you’ll find a facility that is holding our sports teams back. The equipment is old, rusty and not suitable for optimal performance. Each day the school fails to upgrade the equipment sets athletes’ performance further behind. The sports weight room is outdated and in need of a remodel.
Both gyms on campus are outdated and deteriorating, failing to set student-athletes up for success. The equipment and facilities are up to 10 years old, which leads to several downsides. The most pressing concern is specifically the weight room, which is used by most sports teams. Built on an elevated portable structure, the room has developed many dents and cracks due to the impact of weights being dropped onto the floor daily. The gym has just four squat racks, outdated dumbbells and limited kettlebells. This worn-out space does not encourage athletes to put in their best effort.
New and improved equipment will have significant benefits for the sports program. Modern machines and weights will allow athletes to train more efficiently and reduce their risk of injury. According to a study by the American College of Sports Medicine, wear and tear on gym equipment significantly increases the risk of injury, particularly when using strength machines. A recent U.S. Consumer Report also found that thousands of injuries occur each year due to faulty gym equipment. The athletic weight room has nothing close to adjustable machines and equipment, which limits athletes’ potential strength and puts them at risk of injury. By replacing outdated machines, schools can minimize the risk of accidents and potential lawsuits, safeguarding students from injury and the administration from liability.
This investment would also boost athletes’ morale and motivation. A brand-new weight room would energize student-athletes and help them feel valued and eager to train. It could also attract other students previously uninterested in sports to participate after seeing their peers training in a modern, well-equipped facility.
According to a 2023 Statista survey, more than 60 percent of fitness enthusiasts stated that equipment quality and variety are top factors when choosing a gym. A state-of-the-art gym will not only improve school spirit, but could also encourage broader participation to strengthen the athletics program.
Some faculty and administrators may argue that upgrading the weight room isn’t a financially wise investment due to budget constraints and concerns about students misusing the equipment. However, this perspective overlooks the benefits of investing in a better facility. With improved equipment, sports teams will level up, and the school will have improved athletic success. To address the financial issue, the school could launch a fundraising campaign involving all sports teams and their families. This way, donors would directly benefit from the improvements as their children would be using the new equipment, and outreach would target the right audience.
Every day the weight room is neglected, it holds athletes back, limiting their strength and athletic growth with outdated equipment. To combat this, the school needs to take initiative and recognize that student-athletes need improved equipment and facilities to succeed.
