Three years ago, head football coach Ben Wolfe decided to step in as the strength and conditioning coach while head strength and conditioning coach Jessica Gust coached the synchro team.

While working with athletes in the strength and conditioning program, Wolfe said he tries to incorporate new methods for improving overall athleticism.

“At this point in the year, I like to bring in new routines that are different from what athletes are used to throughout the year,” Wolfe said. “This spring, we are focusing on balance and core strength by doing more bodyweight exercises.”

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Wolfe said although there will be exercises that include weight, the new routines are intended to build strength in areas athletes are lacking in.

“These exercises target areas of the body where you are lacking,” Wolfe said. “It is really easy to see when an athlete needs improvement in an area when doing bodyweight fitness because fatigue and soreness often set in after doing the exercises.”

According to Wolfe, he first used this method while coaching football at Washburn High School. He said since then, he has continued to implement bodyweight exercises because it creates a connection between the body and mind.

“It’s important for athletes these days to be able to use their whole body in cohesion,” Wolfe said. “So much of these workouts is finding ways to engage your whole body so you can complete the exercise.”

Junior Zollie Kaplan said he enjoys the change of pace that Wolfe’s program offers.

“Even though we still do lifts that are particular to our sport, the exercises he has us doing are fun and offer an extra challenge,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan said Wolfe’s exercises have interested him in creating a better connection between his mind and body.

“It’s really interesting how important it is for all aspects of your body to work together,” Kaplan said. “I don’t think about that much, but it really is important.”