CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. — Demand for Cedar Springs High School's strength and conditioning class has grown so much that the district invested just over $4 million last year in a new fitness area for the school.
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What started as a class offered once a day now runs every hour to meet student demand.
The class focuses on more than physical fitness for Derek Ash, who has taught the strength and conditioning program since 2021.
"We have to make this happen for our kids, not only for their physical development, but for their mental health as well, and we've just seen it explode," Ash said.
Students say the class is one of the hardest to get into at the school.
"It's very popular among the athletes, obviously, because it makes us better athletes. But also, it's even good for non-athletes as well. Like I said, it creates better, healthier lifestyles," said Autumn Tompkins, a Cedar Springs sophomore.
The program attracts both athletes and non-athletes. Sophomore Brodey Chrisman doesn't play a sport but looks forward to the workouts.
"I think just going to the gym in general is very helpful for a lot of people, and you get exercise in, and it's fun. So, it's kind of like a two-in-one," Chrisman said.
For three-sport athlete Alaya Johnson, the class has improved her coordination and body control.
"Last year when I was a freshman, and I had just started strength and conditioning, like you couldn't really tell that I was like an athlete because I was kind of just all over the place. But after doing strength and conditioning for a year, it helped me a lot with, like, kind of controlling my body," Johnson said.
Coach Ash believes the program teaches students habits that will benefit them beyond graduation, saying, "They're going to take this stuff lifelong, not only physically, but it is developing the habits that we establish in here is only going to help you in the long run. You can stay disciplined and put in a body of work to help you be physically and mentally healthy; you're capable of a lot of things."
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