At Frontier High School in New York, strength training and fitness education have taken a big step forward. Joe Fasciana, a veteran PE teacher and football coach, has helped push the program to embrace technology to elevate student engagement in the weight room and physical education classes.
With over 20 years of experience, Joe recognized that while traditional training methods had their place, integrating technology like PLT4M could provide students with a more structured, engaging, and effective fitness experience. Here is how Frontier is forging a new path for fitness education.
The Old Way: Tradition Meets Innovation At Frontier
For years, strength training at Frontier High School followed a familiar playbook: workout cards, manual tracking, and a coach’s watchful eye. Joe recalls the inefficiencies of manually tracking progress,
“We used to rely on cardstock and paper logs to keep track of student workouts,” he explains. “It was a lot of time spent managing records instead of working with the kids.”
Beyond record-keeping, the lack of real-time feedback made it difficult for students to understand their own progress. Joe found that some students lost motivation because they couldn’t see tangible improvements in their strength and conditioning.
“You had to constantly remind students of their progress verbally,” Joe says, “Now, we have the tools to show them instantly.”
While these methods worked, Joe saw an opportunity to modernize. By incorporating PLT4M, Frontier streamlined how students learn, track, and execute workouts, making fitness education more accessible and effective.
Frontier Weights 1 and 2: Personalized Strength Training
At Frontier, weight training is divided into two levels. Weights 1 serves as an introduction, primarily for freshmen and sophomores, while Weights 2 is designed for more experienced students, typically juniors and seniors. However, experience doesn’t dictate engagement—Joe ensures that all students receive individualized attention.
“If I have new students, whether they’re in Weights 1 or 2, I make sure they’re learning the fundamentals first. Safety and proper execution come before anything else,” Joe says.
PLT4M plays a crucial role in this structure by providing customized workout plans tailored to different skill levels. This allows Joe to simultaneously support beginners while enabling more advanced students to take ownership of their workouts.
“The juniors and seniors get it—they’re self-sufficient and motivated. They understand how to use the program to get stronger, healthier, and even dive into things like nutrition,” he explains.
Additionally, the program encourages peer learning. Upperclassmen often serve as mentors, helping younger students build confidence in the weight room.
“We see a natural progression where younger kids start asking questions and learning from the older students,” Joe notes. “It creates a great environment for learning and accountability.”
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Data and Progress: The Motivation to Keep Coming Back
One of the biggest advantages of using PLT4M is how it visualizes student progress. With workout data displayed on individual devices and large flat screens in the weight room, students can see their improvements in real-time.
“When kids can see their progress—how much weight they’ve added, how many reps they’ve done—it becomes a motivator,” Joe says. “If they see the numbers going up, they will keep coming back.”
By logging their workouts, students take ownership of their fitness journey. This autonomy is critical, especially for student-athletes who balance school, sports, and other commitments. The ability to track performance over time helps them set realistic goals and understand the impact of their training.
“Seeing their progress up on the big screen or on their phones makes it real for them,” Joe explains. “It’s not just a coach telling them they’re improving—they can see the numbers for themselves.”
Beyond individual progress, the data-driven approach benefits the entire program. Joe can identify trends, adjust training plans, and ensure students are making safe, consistent gains.
“It’s not just about lifting heavier weights—it’s about lifting smarter,” he emphasizes.
What’s happening? @PLT4M is happening at FCHS! @FrontiercsdPE “Let’s Falcon Grow”!!! pic.twitter.com/lU5b8ayNNE
— Joe Fasciana (@JoeyFash) October 15, 2024
Beyond the Weight Room: PLT4M in Action
While PLT4M plays a crucial role in the weight room, it’s not limited to just strength training. Joe has also integrated the platform into other areas of PE, including activities like pickleball and yoga.
“I use the instructional videos for form and technique,” he explains. “But I also take written content from PLT4M and turn it into quick cognitive quizzes through Google Forms.”
These quizzes help reinforce key fitness concepts, ensuring students retain what they learn beyond just physical movement.
Joe sees PLT4M’s instructional resources to improve participation, “Not every student loves lifting weights, but when we introduce yoga or pickleball with structured guidance, they engage more,” he notes. “It’s about giving them different ways to stay active and find what they enjoy.”
Championship Tuesday HSPE pickleball! pic.twitter.com/NTTDAlKfPj
— Frontier Physical Education (@FrontiercsdPE) May 7, 2024
Key Takeaways From Frontier: A Stronger Future
At Frontier High School, the integration of PLT4M has transformed fitness education. From the weight room to the classroom, students are seeing the impact of structured programming, real-time data, and personalized instruction.
“Technology doesn’t replace teaching and coaching—it enhances it,” Joe says. “We’re seeing students more engaged, taking ownership of their progress, and applying what they learn beyond just PE class.”
And better yet, Joe says it gives him more time to do what he loves – work with students.
With its innovative approach, Frontier High School is proving that the right blend of tradition and technology can forge a new frontier of fitness education. As students grow stronger physically and mentally, the program serves as a model for how technology can elevate physical education in schools across the country.
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