Tools for peak performance
01 Aug 2017
Underneath the gymnasium and looking out on the river and Williams Court, the newly-refurbished and extended Christ’s College Fitness Centre, aka the weights room, provides a light and airy space for boys to work on improving their fitness under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coaches Will Sams and Ross Kennedy.
Director of Sport Rob Clarke says the improved facility is an important part of College’s commitment to health and wellbeing, with strength and conditioning now an integral part of the College sports programme. “If you look at what makes a top athlete, skills – both physical and mental – are one aspect, but overall fitness is key to high performance sport. If boys are better prepared physically, it can minimise injuries. If they do get injured, however, they soon get back to peak fitness through physio and a good rehabilitation programme.”
The weights room becomes a hive of activity before and after school, at lunchtimes, and in the evening for boarders, when boys across various summer and winter sports codes arrive for their fitness fix. Will Sams says the space, now three times its previous size, means up to 35 boys can train together at any one time. Will is convinced strength and conditioning training results in better performances and Rob Clarke concurs, saying College teams have already seen the benefits of the new fitness regime.
The redevelopment of the Fitness Centre was facilitated in part by support from Old Boy Marcel Gray, who has been a key sponsor of sport at College.
