This year, Park High’s strength and conditioning class has broken several long-standing records with the introduction of a new strength training program.

The class has always been popular among students, but recently the energy has changed. Many students have felt inspired by senior lifters’ accomplishments and have made efforts to push themselves as well.

“I love helping people realize that they are stronger than they think they are,” said strength and conditioning teacher Megan Burns. The new training plan introduced last April by Burns quickly pushes students to lift beyond their limits. Within the first few weeks, students attempt to lift up to 95% of their previous max for multiple repetitions. It can be demanding, but students think it is rewarding to see how quickly they progress. The biggest change was the introduction of more auxiliary exercises to complement the main lifts. They help train weak points and stay warmed up for the next main set. Burns started using a timer to help students pace themselves to perform the extra auxiliary exercises in the period. Before, the class was relatively self-paced, now it follows a structured plan ensuring students stay focused and maximize the time they have in the gym.

“I feel a lot stronger and more in tune with my body,” said senior Gibson Reagor. This year, Reagor has thrived in the weight room. On Wednesday March 4, he completed a 555 pound deadlift, the most ever lifted in program history. In preparation for the lift, he had been pushing himself more than ever. “If I get it up, I get it up. If I don’t, I don’t and I’ll try it again next week, or following week, or however long it takes. Because if you work at something hard enough, then you’ll get it,” he said. Reagor is also working towards a 495 pound squat and wants to rank top five in program history for bench-press and power clean. His accomplishments and leadership have inspired many of his peers to push their limits as well.

When you step into the class, you can tell there is a sense of community. The students support each other and want their peers to succeed. One of Burns’ main goals for the class was “I just want to see this program continue to be somewhere where kids want to be. I want kids to support each other and celebrate everyone’s victories.”