C H A P T E R

1. 2 4 C H A P T E R Facility Layout and Scheduling

2. Chapter Outline General aspects of new facility design Existing strength and conditioning facilities Assessing athletic program needs Designing the strength and conditioning facility Arranging equipment in the strength and conditioning facility Scheduling the strength and conditioning facility

3.  Forming a committee of professionals is the first step in planning and designing a new strength and conditioning facility. The committee can consist of an administrator, architect, contractor, lawyer, student athlete, sport coach, instructors who will use the facility, and various sport-conditioning experts.

4. Planning and Designing of Facility Predesign phase requires 25% of the total project time (about 6 months). Design phase requires 12% of total project time (about 3 months). Construction phase requires 50% of total project time (about 12 months). Preoperation (start-up) phase requires 15% of total project time (about 3-4 months).

5.  The strength and conditioning professional should assess existing equipment based on the needs of all athletes and teams that use the facililty.

6. Assessing Athletic Program Needs How many athletes will use the facility? What types of strength and conditioning training does each athletic group require? What are the age groups of the athletes using the facility? What is the training experience of the athletes using the facility? When will strength training fit into each athletic team’s schedule? What repairs and adaptations to equipment must be made to meet athletes’ needs?

7. Designing the Strength and Conditioning Facility Location Supervision location Access Ceiling height Flooring Environmental factors Electrical service Mirrors

8. Designing Strength Facility • Location- Should be on Ground Floor with accessible entrances to move in heavy equipment. • A second floor facility must withstand loads of 100 lb/ft^2 • Weight rooms should not be above areas sensitive to sound and vibration (offices classrooms) • Supervision Location- The office should be centrally located with large windows to allow clear view of entire facility • Access • Must have free and unobstructed access including entrances, exits and walkways • Must have a set of double doors with removable center post to move equipment in and out • Emergency exits must be clearly marked and free of obstructions

9. Designing Strength Facility • Ceiling Height: 12-14 ft • Flooring • Carpet has the advantage of being fairly inexpensive with a wide range of colors. It is not as good of shock-absorber as rubber surfaces. • Rubberized floor is more expensive than carpet, it provides better shock absorbing cushion and is more durable than carpet. Can be purchased in interlocking rubber mat sections. (Hard to clean). • A poured rubber surface is the most expensive. It is very durable, easy to clean, and it provides a safe surface for plyometric drills.

10. Designing Strength Facility • Environmental Factors • Lighting 75-100 foot-candles • Windows should be a minimum of 21 inches from the floor to protect them from rolling items. • High windows and skylights should not be over supine stations to prevent glare. • Windows cause temperature problems, and glare problems. You do not want glare in a spotter or athletes eyes. • Temperature should be 72-78 deg. The strength facility should have its OWN controls for temperature. • Humidity should be 60% or less • Air circulation: 8 to 12 air exchanges per hour, with 12-15 optimal. • Electrical Service: grounded 110-V and 220-V. Plan must identify the electrical requirements of all equipment. • Mirrors: Placed 20 inches above the floor. • Provide immediate feedback to the athlete.

11. Other Design Considerations • Drinking fountains should be easily accessible, but they should not hamper traffic flow. Close to the Facility Entrance gives good access and does not affect flow. • Restrooms should be in or near the facility • Telephones must be available to staff for emergency use. • Signs should display policies, rules, and safety guidelines. • Bulletin boards can be used to display programs, records and motivational items. • Storage facility should be available for cleaning and maintenance items as well as unused equipment.

12. Arranging Equipment in Facility • Power exercises should be placed away from windows, mirrors, exits, and entrances to avoid breakage of glass, distraction or collision with equipment or athletes. • Tall machines should be arranged along the walls (squat racks, power racks, lat pulldown, smith machine). • Dumbell racks should be against the walls, with shorter pieces in the middle of the room • Barbells and dumbells should be a minimum of 36 in between bar ends for ease of movement without obstruction. • Weight trees should be close to plate loading equipment with at least 36 in. between trees and equipment. • Equipment should be at least 6 in from mirrors.

13. Traffic Flow • Traffic should flow around the perimeter. Carpet can be used to designate the walkway. • There should be at least one walkway that bisects the facility. • An unobstructed pathway (36 in) should be maintained at all times.

14. Exercise Areas • Stretching Area: A 49 ft2 per athlete should be allotted for stretching, especially if PNF is emphasized. • Circuit-Training Area: All resistance machines must be spaced 24, preferably 36 in from one another • When free weights are used as part of a circuit a 36 in safety space cushion to allow space between bar tips is needed. • Multistation (Universal) machines require more floor space, but they accommodate more athletes at once. • Free Weights (Bench press requires 90 ft2) this includes safety cushion • 36 in between bar ends • One free weight station accommodates 3-4 people • Olympic Lifting Area • Should accommodate 3-4 people, although one athlete can lift at a time. • Perimeter walkways should be 3-4 ft wide • Squat area requires 130 ft2 , Power Clean requires 144 ft2 • Aerobic Area: 24 ft2 for bikes and stair machines • 6 ft2 for skiing machines and 45 ft2 for treadmills

15. Staff to Athlete Ratio • Junior High School: 1:10 staff to athlete • High School: 1:15 • Older than high school should not exceed 1:20 • Type of training is a consideration • Circuit training requires less spotting than performing Olympic lifts.

16.  Safety and function are top priorities when determining equipment placement.

17. Methods for Organizing the Facility Creating strength training areas that emphasize different body parts. Creating training areas according to types of equipment. This is the preferred method for functionality and appearance.

18. Considerations in Scheduling the Strength and Conditioning Facility Seasonal priority and peak hours Group size and equipment availability Staff-to-athlete ratio

19. Example of High School Facility Floor Plan

20. Problem Floor Plan

21. Solution to Problem Floor Plan

22. 2 5 C H A P T E R Developing a Policies and Procedures Manual

23. Chapter Outline Program goals and mission statement Program objectives Job titles, descriptions, and duties of the strength and conditioning staff Staff policies and activities Facility administration

24.  Policies are a facility’s rules and regulations; they reflect the goals and objectives of the program. Procedures describe how policies are met or carried out.

25. Program Goals Improve athletic performance Prevent injuries Sample mission statement: To provide to athletes the means through which they can train consistently, sensibly, and systematically over designated periods of time in a safe, clean, and professional environment to help prevent injury and improve athletic performance.

26. Program Objectives Design strength, flexibility, aerobic, and plyometric programs that reduce injuries and improve performance. Develop training programs to account for biomechanical and physiological differences. Recognize acute and chronic physiological responses to training. Educate athletes about the importance of good nutrition. Educate athletes about the abuse and effects of performance-enhancing substances.

27. Strength and Conditioning Staff Head strength and conditioning coach Assistant strength and conditioning coach Facility supervisor

28. Staff meetings Posted messages Orientation meeting Touring the facility Approved exercise guidelines Annual plan Budgetary issues Testing procedures and schedules Staff facility use Staff workout times Progress card Relationships with athletes and staff Records and awards Staff professional goals Staff Policies and Activities

29. Facility Administration Access to the facility - Preparticipation requirement for student athletes - Eligibility criteria - Action for ineligible person Daily operation - Facility opening - During training hours - Facility closing (continued)

30. Facility Administration (continued) Telephone and music system use Facility rules and guidelines Emergency procedures - Accidents and injuries - Fire - Tornadoes, severe weather - First aid kit

31. 2 6 C H A P T E R Facility Maintenance and Risk Management

32. Chapter Outline Maintaining and cleaning surfaces Maintaining and cleaning equipment Maintenance equipment and cleaning supplies Litigation issues

33.  Schedulingfrequent maintenance and cleaning ensures safe training, protects investments, and maintains the strength and conditioning facility’s appearance.

34. Maintaining and Cleaning Surfaces Flooring (wood flooring, tile and antistatic flooring, resilient rubber flooring, interlocking mats, carpeting) Vertical surfaces (walls, mirrors, shelves) Ceilings (fixtures, tiled ceilings, open ceilings) Environmental factors (mold, mildew, rust, lighting)

35. Maintaining and Cleaning Equipment in Specific Areas Aerobic, anaerobic fitness Resistance machine Rehabilitation machine Body-weight resistance apparatus Stretching Free-weight Lifting platform

36.  Keepmaintenance equipment in a toolbox located in a locked cabinet or supply closet. Keep cleaning supplies in a locked supply cabinet near the supervisor station.

37. Common Legal Terminology Liability: a legal responsibility, duty, or obligation Standard of care: what a reasonable and prudent person would do under similar circumstances Negligence: failure to act as a reasonable and prudent person would under similar circumstances Assumption of risk: knowing that an inherent risk exists with participation in an activity and voluntarily deciding to participate anyway

38. Litigation Issues Supervision Instruction Human resources Medical clearance Emergency care plan Record keeping Liability insurance

39.  The risk of injury cannot be totally eliminated, but it can be effectively managed by the strength and conditioning professional.

40. Product Liability Use equipment only for the purpose intended. Be certain that equipment meets standards. Buy only from reputable manufacturers. Do not modify equipment unless such adaptations are designated. Apply all warning labels that accompany a new equipment purchase. Continually inspect equipment for damage and wear. Do not allow unsupervised athletes to use equipment.