This video offers a glimpse of Athletic Development, a physical education class at Richards High School. We're optimistic you've seen nothing like it.
Taught by Nick Grabarek (one of our football and wrestling coaches), Athletic Development trains students with a degree of intensity and design rarely, if ever, seen in a high school class. It's tough, layered with a series of exercises engineered to work every muscle group in natural motion.
The training pictured here and highlighted in great detail in the video target muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and agility. And all in the most positive atmosphere.
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"We try to target students’ mental toughness and attitude. These students are all athletes and this type of physical training will develop their proper mindset for competition," Grabarek said.
Students enjoy this class. They show it in the video and in the popularity of the course: Three years ago, Grabarek taught one section of Athletic Development. Today, he has three.
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The focus and intensity evident in the video also illustrated the environment of purpose in Athletic Development.
"I have heard from student-athletes many times that they want to be challenged. I try to implement functional training as a different approach to strength training. Students enjoy this non-comformist approach and respond well," Grabarek said.
Students enjoy the competitive aspects of the class. When students start to realize their capabilities, Mr. Grabarek knows the methodologies have started to work.
"They start to believe more in themselves and walk around with more self-confidence," he said.
