High school is a time where students are developing physically, mentally and emotionally. Harwood invests in academics, arts and athletics to support our students’ growth. Yet one of the most powerful tools is harder to access the weight room.
High school students should have access to a free school supported weight room because it promotes physical wellness, mental health and builds life long habits.
High school is a time where students are developing physically, mentally and emotionally. Harwood invests in academics, arts and athletics to support our students’ growth, yet one of the most powerful tools is harder to access: the weight room. Harwood students should have access to a free school supported weight room because it promotes physical wellness, mental health and builds life long habits.
The majority of students at Harwood have to travel up to 30 minutes to access a gym and purchase a membership that gets expensive for teenagers. Senior Milo Lavit who makes an hour-long commute to the gym and says “I would much rather use the Harwood gym that’s closer to home.”
When schools provide free access, they remove financial barriers that prevent some students from joining private gyms. A school weight room ensures every student has an equal opportunity to physical wellness. Making this space available after school will be so beneficial to the students at Harwood.
High school students are at a critical stage of physical development where regular strength building and physical activity maintains healthy growth and strengthens heart, muscles, and bones. Regular exercise is also proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Studies from CDC (adolescents and school health) show that about 40% of U.S. youth have reported feelings of hopelessness in recent years and 18% of adolescents experiencing major depressive episodes affecting millions of teenagers across the country. Because of these growing concerns, having accessibility and opportunity for physical activity can make a significant difference.
Senior Addy Olney says “After I workout or do any physical exercise I feel a lot better, more productive and I’m in a better mood.”
Along with physical and mental wellness, giving adolescents a space to learn gym habits can be a stepping stone in building lifelong healthy habits.
In the U.S. Many adults struggle with maintaining healthy habits because they were never taught properly in their adolescents. Having a background on physical activity and experiencing different types of physical activity can set up students for a lifetime of success. Peter Arsenault at Harwood Union is in full support of this and is currently teaching a cardio and weight training class and a freshman foundation of PE which is an introduction to the fitness center. He says “our goal is to try and get students to develop an interest and drive towards students’ physical literacy journey. It would be nice to provide the steps that would get them wanting to take care of themselves.”
He hopes one day the weight room can be fully accessible but with budget cuts it makes it hard to have after school staff to monitor the weight room.
In the future a weight room being accessible to all students is the goal. Moving forward, the student voice will be a big piece in this process. Showing interest, talking to teachers and superintendents to navigate and problem solve is essential to make progress in student accessibility.
