A Day-in-the-Life of Hoggard’s Weightlifting Class

Clank! Bang! Whew! Heavy weights fly around as Hoggard students do their daily exercising in their Weightlifting class. With sports being a big part of students’ routines, exercise is priority, even during off seasons. At Hoggard, Weightlifting is a popular elective many students take to better their health and grow to become a stronger individual. Attached below are responses from two Hoggard students taking Weightlifting to help us catch a glimpse of what it’s like in such an active class.

Elisabeth Garcia-Sanchez, Senior, 1st year in Weightlifting

How many girls are in your class? If not many, how does being a girl in a boy-majority environment change your perspective on the class?

“There’s 3 other girls in my weightlifting class. That changes my perspective on the class because I definitely wouldn’t have taken it if I didn’t know people since it would’ve felt awkward as one of the only girls.”

What is the hardest exercise you’ve had to do in this class?

“The cardio is definitely the worst, especially when they make us sprint laps outside.” 

Describe the everyday class routine.

“For the first 10 minutes of class, we generally just sit down until the coach tells us to start the warm ups, which are either inside or outside. These warm ups are cardio exercises meant to get us ready for the work outs. Then, after 5-15 minutes of warm ups, we go to the weights and do the workouts that are listed on the board until class ends.” 

What’s your favorite part of being in Hoggard’s weightlifting class?

“My favorite part of being in the Hoggard weightlifting class is getting to hang out with my boyfriend and having an excuse to workout everyday.”

Anderson Dick, Junior, 3rd year in Weightlifting

How large is your class? Would you consider yourself close with most of your classmates?

“My class size is anywhere from 30 to 40 students but despite the large class size, I usually find myself very close to everyone. It’s very easy to get to know your lifting partners through teaching and cheering for each other.”

Do you play a sport? If so, how would you consider weightlifting to help you improve your performance in your sport?

“I currently do not do any sports with Hoggard. However when I did, I found weightlifting to be crucial. Weightlifting has amazing coaches that help you train explosiveness, stamina, and overall strength that is important for a variety of sports.”

What’s been your craziest experience being a part of weight training?

“My personal craziest experience in weightlifting has to be seeing what is possible in lifting. A past student here, Isaiah Newkirk, came in one day while I was lifting and squatted 455 pounds repeatedly. It was amazing and incredibly inspiring for me to see. I hope to have that kind of strength and grow as I continue to weightlift.”

What’s your favorite part of being in Hoggard’s weightlifting class?

“My favorite part of Hoggard’s weightlifting class is certainly the people and atmosphere. We all work together pushing towards a similar goal and seeing someone move weight or push themselves gets everyone in the class cheering. It’s really an amazing environment as your teachers/coaches, along with classmates, all inspire each other and help everyone improve.”

Bonding students over dreaded sprints and new personal weightlifting records, Hoggard's Weightlifting class seems to be an uplifting, active class for most. Thank you to both students who took time out of their day's to share a day-in-the-life of Weightlifting.