Cascade students, athletes utilize new weight room

During the Feb. 25 class, students from Paul Fraker’s class bring in new dumbbells, ranging from 25-100 pounds, that were shipped to the school into the weight room, many of them covered in plastic.

The dumbbells are the latest equipment for Cascade High School’s new weight room. Construction and set up of the weight room was recently completed and various students use the weight room throughout the day, including football players, and kids from weights and P.E. classes. Students also use the weight room after school hours. 

CHS and Icicle River Middle School athletic director Dominique Coffin said it has been nice for Cascade to finally have a weight room, and for students to use the equipment. Before the facility was finished, students used the middle school’s weight room. Coffin explained the scenario was tough for students enrolled in weights classes as they had to change at the high school, then travel to the middle school to use the facility.

Coffin said funding for the weight room was included in the school bond passed in 2015. CHS also bought new equipment for the weight room, including 10 weight racks along the walls designed by Wright Equipment. Each rack features red and black trim with the Kodiaks name and logo embossed on the top bar. 

Including the school’s colors and logo adds a bit of CHS pride to the facility, according to Coffin. The weight room also features are benches, dumbbells, kettle bells and jump boxes. In the middle are cable machines and benches. There are also treadmills, exercise bikes and a row machine, Coffin said are “self-powered” and do not require electricity.

Another new addition to the weight room are the mirrors behind the weight racks.

“(They) are a little motivation,” Coffin added. “Students see themselves, they’ll see their bodies change and the progress they’ve made.”

Coffin said he and Fraker have developed a weight training program that students use. In addition to working out, students also learn how to properly use the equipment and become familiar with in a weight room atmosphere. He also drafts his own workouts for football players

Coffin said students will have the opportunity to use the weight room in the summer. He noted the CHS football and cheer teams will use the facility during the day, and the girls’ sports teams – basketball, volleyball and softball – will have a combined workout.

“Summer is our busiest time, kids are in here from 6 a.m. to six at night,” Coffin added.