The weight room is rapidly transforming into one of the most popular classrooms in schools today, and for good reason. As schools increasingly recognize the importance of physical fitness, strength training has become a vital part of the high school educational experience.
This shift places a significant responsibility on physical education teachers to design and implement effective programs that engage students and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for success in the weight room and beyond. By creating a structured and supportive environment, educators can help students build confidence, develop healthy habits, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for fitness.
At Woodburn High School in Oregon, Rob Kassebaum has helped build a weight training program within physical education. This program, driven by a standardized curriculum, planned progressions, peer teaching, and more, serves as a model for making the weight room a classroom.
A Standardized Curriculum Across All Classes
At Woodburn High School, the physical education department is tapping into a standardized curriculum that Rob says gives consistency and credibility to the program,
“From our Intro To PE courses, where we teach foundational movements, to our advanced weight training and athletic development classes, a common thread connects our students to a standards-based approach.”
Woodburn utilizes PLT4M as a technology and curriculum resource to manage and deliver a consistent approach. Rob, who has been recognized by the National High School Strength and Conditioning Association as a regional coach of the year, explains why PLT4M has been a go-to resource at Woodburn,
“Many times in weight training, we teach what we have known or been exposed to. And I believe in PLT4M because it gives us a full slate of programs and instructional videos that help create a common language and standardized approach to our weight training program.”
Planned Progressions To Guide Students In The Weight Room
Whether students are new to the weight room or returning for a new year, Rob makes it a point to start each semester with the basics. In weightlifting classes, using PLT4M’s Intro To Strength Training Program, students practice and perform basic barbell and dumbbell movements before progressing to different options within the system.
With each exercise in PLT4M, students have access to instructional videos that Rob explains are a huge resource in the classroom,
“Students have different learning styles, but many learn and do well with videos because it is what they have grown up with. And PLT4M’s videos help create a common language for proper movement.”
Bonus Content: Instructional Video From PLT4M introducing the deadlift.
Empowering Peer Teaching
And because some students have been in the weight room before, Rob describes the peer-teaching that happens in the opening weeks of class,
“For example, we were doing the deadlift the other day, and it was really cool to see the more experienced students helping correct and work with the newer students as they performed the movement.”
After the initial stage of introduction and review, Rob then uses the technology to differentiate what students’ next step is in the weight room,
“For our newer students, we keep working through more introductory programs while the more advanced students can start working on other programs that prescribe personalized weights based on their experience and abilities.”
Assessment & Accountability
While historically, physical education as a subject has struggled to find measurable ways to assess students effectively, Rob utilizes fitness data to define success,
“Every student starts and ends in a different place. But the goal is for everyone to perform the basic skills well and then see progress and growth that will happen if they put in the work during class.”
By assessing, tracking, and monitoring progress with PLT4M, Rob says that students now have clear expectations for success in the weight room and class. Overall, this approach has given physical education at Woodburn a new level of credibility that Rob is excited about,
“Transitioning from traditional performance-based testing to standards-based grading using fitness skills gives physical education classes a new level of credibility that I think is so important.”
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Continuing To Grow and Evolve At Woodburn High School
While Woodburn High School has taken significant steps to make the weight room a classroom, Rob explains how the program will continue to evolve in the coming years,
“We haven’t had huge participation of female students in our weight training classes, but that is improving quite a bit, and we hope to see that continue rising as we take this approach.”
In addition, Woodburn recently shifted to a block schedule, allowing up to 90 minutes of instructional time. Now, Rob is taking PLT4M programs and adding his twist to fit the time of class,
“For example, we are introducing different options like speed training and flexibility lessons to complement the weight room in our athletic performance classes. But I can also customize the workouts to fit our unique needs and timing, which is great.”
Woodburn High School has made the weight room a classroom and is seeing the benefits for students of all backgrounds. As they continue to shape the curriculum, assessment, and technology to fit their needs, Rob says that they are excited to see what comes next,
“We are opening up opportunities for our students that help support them now, but well into the future. The weight room is a powerful place that our Woodburn students see the benefits of because of these classes.”
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