Ah, weight rooms. Home to athletes, meatheads, and recreational users alike. But how does Cotter’s student body function in this “Iron Temple.” What purpose does it serve and why is it here?

The Cotter weight room has undergone relocation twice since its origin in the basement of the junior high building.  The room first moved to the basement of the high school building, rooms now being used to hold items for the annual Cotter Auction, and from there moving to  its current location, filled with the push and pull of heavy weights, in the heart of the John Nett Recreation Center. Space once used for dances and banquets has been transformed into a home for the meat titans of Cotter to freely access the instruments of their improvement.

In the words of principal Dave Forney: “[The] Fitness Center has really been evolving over the past few years.”

Currently, and almost finally, the Cotter weight room is undergoing renovations of its equipment, getting rid of the free motion machines and replacing them with more Olympic lift platforms, and replacing Olympic weights from the older out of style imperial unit pounds with new,  brightly colored metric system weights. In fact, the weightroom has been deemed “TOO nice” by smiling physical education teacher Nick Whaley.

The Cotter weight-room isn’t just for the student body, faculty and alumni are also allowed on the site to workout, run, and stretch as they please.

“I love using it on my own, but it’s way better when I’m in there when students are  there, it’s more motivating.” adds Forney.

But what makes this “Church of Mass” so appealing to its users? What keeps their interest here, what do they do, and how far have they gone? Are there just physical benefits presented with working out, or maybe even more?

In what way did students learn of the weight room? In short, most students have experienced introduction into the weight room through the sports Cotter provides, but initiative to workout was a decision on their own.

“I have been lifting for sports since 8th grade, but I’ve recently become interested in lifting some weights since a friend approached me and influenced me to do it in the summer, and ever since then it’s become a lifestyle.”  junior Brad Sula said.

It appears that since first appearing inside the facility and working out, the fangs of muscular development snuck their way into some of these fortunate students. The common answer for what these fangs consist of is the “pump” you experience while lifting weights.

A “pump” is that satisfyingly refreshing feeling of accomplishment and muscle growth that really is just a short rush of blood pumping into your muscles that gives you what could be called the lifting version of “runner’s high.”

The Pump isn’t the only thing that keeps these Disciples of Muscle in the weight room. Once lifters form the habit , they crave their daily return to the weight room.

“It’s really one of the main things I look forward to doing each day,”  junior Andrew Arnold stated.

“You look forward to the gym as much as you look forward to going home after school,” junior Scott Masyga added. He explains further stating, “It’s the part of the day where you are allowed to push and improve yourself individually, while  lifting with your friends.”

The weight room is definitely here for physical improvement, but are there any other aspects of enhancement provided with exercise? Many students see that lifting brings out another change in themselves.

“It gives you a sense of confidence. I am improving myself. I’ve been a lot more motivated to do other things. Instead of being lazy and putting things off for the last second, I’ve been a lot more productive.” Sula said.

“I just feel like a healthier individual. It’s easier to stay committed to things,”Arnold said.

“When you lift weights you become more confident, you can form more friendships,” said Tom Garmon, the current weight room supervisor and strength coach to Cotter sports teams.

“It definitely helps with confidence and commitment, keeps you more focused as well,” Masyga concurred.

“It’s great to lift with friends.. helps with pushing yourself and working harder in and outside of the weight room,” junior Patrick Michener said.

The new weight room has provided it’s users with more than just physical benefits, developing them socially and mentally as well. As they strive to reach their fitness goals they are developing their mental approach to life as well.

Although that begs the question, what were some of their goals?

Most lifters had a specific reason to begin exercising: “I just wanted to improve myself and it’s a really enjoyable activity… seeing yourself change” [My goals have been] very good, I have improved my overall health, nutritionally and I’m just feeling better.  As well as getting stronger for sports, getting stronger and a little more limber. There’s a lot fewer injuries, I’m a lot more durable,” Arnold said.

,”Yeah, I met the goal, but I never really met the end of the goal. The goal is to keep going past my original goal.. just to keep getting better,” Sula added.

These individuals, patrons, servants, and students of the weight room have proven to themselves, and others, that the weight room has allowed them to develop as people. The weight room isn’t  somewhere they dread to go. They look forward to it, look forward to progressing to new heights and higher weights. However, they all had to start somewhere, and here’s some of the advice on starting and achieving your goals.

“Do some research, pick out your goals, know what you need to do nutrition-wise and in the weight room to reach those goals,”  Arnold suggested.

“Go in there, don’t be intimidated, work hard and keep at it. It’s simple,”Masyga said.

“Stay at it, don’t try it and then stop. If you’re going to see results, and if you only do it for a little bit of time, you’re not going to see results. So just stick with it and results will come,” Sula said.

“Come talk to me or Jason and we’ll get you going,” offered Coach Garmon.

“Just make sure to get yourself in there and start working, it may be hard but hard work improves you,”  Michener said.

The weight room is all about improvement. “I think [the weigh troom] is a huge benefit for the students, and faculty. Exercise is pretty important… It really gives opportunities for teams, or individuals, to tap into it right on campus,” Forney said.

Mr. Whaley echoed Forneys thoughts:  “It meets a lot of needs. From parents, alumni, international students, and purposes for athletes and non-athletes. I think it is a wonderful facility and we’re fortunate to have.”

For sports, cardio, yoga, powerlifting,  gains, or ‘gettin’ swole’, the weight room is here for all under the Cotter banner. An area dedicated to hard work and improvement for those who seek the challenge, the weight room is a home away from home for a dedicated crew of students and faculty.

One word of caution for newcomers, don’t just show up and expect to see results. The ethic is to enter, work hard,  and leave. Create a cycle of improvement,  results do not come immediately. Chip at that mountain sized brick with tenacity, but avoid obsession.  Once lifters see results, it can become an addiction.