STRENGTH TRAINING & CONDITIONING MATRIX FITNESS Weight room at the adjoined Knoxville High School and Middle School in Iowa. What are some of the key considerations coaches and athletic directors should keep in mind when selecting strength training equipment for their programs? Key considerations that should be top of mind when selecting strength training equipment include: prioritizing safety, maximizing space, planning stations for efficiency, identifying the sight lines for coaches to view the room, understanding the level of training the athletes have attained and choosing equipment based on that understanding. What trends are we seeing with strength training equipment for 2024 and beyond? We are seeing more all-in-one training stations and schools filling the rooms with as many racks as they can fit. Updated and more advanced plate-loaded equipment is rising in popularity, and we are seeing a reduction in selectorized machines. We are also seeing more prevalence of tech such as iPads and tablets near the racks, displaying individualized training programs for each athlete. What role does safety play in the design and selection of strength training equipment for high school and college athletes, and what should programs prioritize in this regard? Safety is the number one priority and should remain a primary factor in selecting equipment. Coaches can enter a partnership with confidence when they work with companies that design equipment to meet stringent manufacturing and testing standards, such as EN957 and ASTM, and offer full delivery and installation. Matrix Fitness | matrixfitness.com | 866-693-4863 training-conditioning.com | 51http://www.matrixfitness.com