Tarleton State University's Athletic Weight Room at Wisdom Gym sets the standard for the Lone Star Conference strength and conditioning facilities. With the overall goal of producing successful elite level teams, the purpose of the program is to maximize athletic potential in each and every athlete through periodized year-round lifting. Texan and TexAnn athletes elevate their athletic potential and athletic success as measured through the ability to move more freely and controlled while reducing injury potential (and decreased healing time, if an injury does occur).
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach,
Rod Cole, leads the way in providing his athletes with an intense workout specifically aimed at maximizing potential and gaining competitive edge. The focus and intensity in the weight room is targeted to be the same as in a game; thus, athletes attack the weights with high intensity, replicating movements of the sport.
The spacious two level, high ceiling facility holds over 15,000 pounds of free weights and is a major reason why Tarleton is able to aggressively hit the weights. As most sports are upright power sports involving multi-joint movements, the Tarleton program is aligned to support these movements by being equipped with 7 Olympic-style platforms, a full line of Hammer Strength equipment, 10 Power Lift Squat Racks and Power Lift Benches. The human body has a large dependency on the core (not just the abs) to move; therefore emphasis is placed on developing the core in the weight room. Athletes lift a large percentage of the time on their feet performing explosive free weight, multi-joint/muscle exercises to replicate movements and work the core. Olympic lifts using dumbbells and barbells are used to train speed, strength and power. The cardiovascular area is located on the second level, over looking the weight room, with an array of equipment from Life Fitness containing treadmills, elliptical machines, stair steppers and recumbent bike.
A majority of athletes train on campus during the summer as a result of the season success and gained competitive edge. During the summer, a high emphasis is placed on helping athletes make great strides toward their athletic performance through integrated speed, conditioning and plyometric training in addition to their weight training. As most of Tarleton's athletes remain on campus during the summer, those athletes not on campus are provided with individualized, detailed workout plans to follow during the summer with descriptive diagrams, detailed nutrition information and much more on the web.
In gaining the competitive edge, the Tarleton Strength and Conditioning program is much more than a weight room. The program encompasses all of the components of movement involved in speed, agility and quickness. Athletes are monitored and given specific exercises with instructions for movements needed to improve.Cole educates athletes regarding the importance of nutrition-to-athletic performance, healthy eating habits, achieving a proper bodyweight and much more.
