“During fitness, boys are
taught to understand what they
are doing and why, rather than
just go through the motions.”
rather than just go through the motions. By paying attention
to how their heart rate or breathing responds to different
levels of exertion, or how their muscles react to different
movements, they develop a greater appreciation for the
effects and benefits of physical activity. Encouragement to
operate just outside of their comfort zone keeps exercise new
and exciting, and allows boys to maximize their potential
physically and mentally. All the while, boys are encouraged
to pay attention to how nutrition fuels their body throughout
the various activities.
The new space is equipped with a wide array of resistance
training equipment, including free-weights, medicine balls,
sandbags, a cable resistance machine, and an assisted pull-
up and dip machine. All of the equipment is designed to
be adapted to different ability and strength levels, while
reinforcing the development of functional strength, which
translates to performance on the playing fields as well as in
daily activity. The Hoist Functional Trainer (Cable Machine)
offers so much versatility for a compact space. The machine
can be adjusted and modified to do a wide range of exercises
that would otherwise require a dozen different machines.
The machine reinforces proper mechanics, which are crucial
to injury prevention and building muscle memory for a
strong foundation. The machine allows adjustments to
height, weight, resistance, and difficulty regression, making
it appropriate for all ages and ability levels. The Assisted
Pull-Up and Dip Machine is an exciting new addition,
because bodyweight exercises are a crucial component
of fitness and often serve as the benchmark for physical
22 • Saint David’s Magazine
ability. However, despite our boys not being overweight,
many lack the upper body strength to effectively complete
basic body weight exercises. The assisted pull-up and dip
machine utilizes counter-weights to offset the boy’s body
weight, allowing all boys (regardless of ability) to complete
the same exercise, with proper form, and take pride in their
accomplishment. This machine allows the boys to learn
the muscle memory needed to build up to an independent
pull-up, while not singling out a boy for not being able to
complete the exercise or having to look for alternatives to
the exercise.
We are also very excited to boast a wide array of
equipment targeting speed, agility, and cardiovascular
training. Boys now have the opportunity to develop their
explosive sports movements on the turf with box jumps,
tire flips, sled pushes, and ladder work. They can also push
their limits during cardiovascular workouts, by synching
up the rowing machines to race their peers, exercising on
Coach Imbelli (below) demonstrates proper form for each
fitness station before the boys engage in the activities.