# 2 – Get rid of clunky old equipment
During the golden years of athletic development, most weight rooms were looked at as extensions of YMCAs in our high schools. This is not the worst identity to have, but when it comes to athletic development and S&C, space is key.
With racks and platforms still having a place in the strength and conditioning world, the single purpose machines have outgrown their use. There is still undoubtedly a place in this world for single-use equipment, but in the grand scheme, they consume more space than their inherent worth.
Most machines can be replaced with simple band work. Get rid of the clunky and get yourself an array of bands with different resistances.
Open space has allowed us to change how we conduct classes completely. Now we have the open space for our kids to do basic movements with plenty of room even in large groups.
# 3 – Add multi-use equipment
Building off of #2, getting the right equipment to use in the space in the key. Finding “cheap” equipment that can be used in bulk in your space is the last way to truly enhance your space.
Equipment such as bands, rollers, boxes, and hurdles can go so far in their own right, while also enhancing a program in its versatility. These pieces of equipment can add to the dumbbells, racks, bars, and plates that are those more expensive “nuts and bolts.”
Being able to use bands to resist sprinting, work mobility/flexibility, add resistance to weighted movements or even add light resistance to foundational calisthenic movements. You can use rollers for self-myofascial work and mobility. You can use boxes for plyometric work, sprint mechanics, resisted/weighted movements.
All of these pieces of equipment are “cheap” in comparison to adding new racks or attempting to make your room like the next collegiate powerhouse. And it can also allow for more flow through your room with being able to all work at the same time safely.
Why Bother?
Over the last few years at Queensbury High School, these small steps have been our focused project. Doing so has completely changed our program not only for the strength and conditioning side but for PE as well.
Any of these changes are not small in size. Changes such as these take effort and support from above. But when done correctly, can turn the clunky weight room into an efficient classroom.
Looking at today’s world, don’t let your weight room continue to slide deeper and deeper into yesterday’s vision.