Shadow Ridge High School offers students many opportunities to thrive physically through a wide variety of sports teams and physical education classes. From competitive athletics to fitness focused courses, students are encouraged to stay active and develop healthy habits. One class that continues to grow in popularity is weightlifting, a course that goes beyond building muscle and focuses on confidence, discipline, and personal growth.
The weightlifting program at Shadow Ridge is taught by David Kivett, who believes the class plays an important role in helping students develop both physically and mentally. For many students, weightlifting is their first introduction to structured strength training. As they begin to learn proper techniques and see improvements in their strength, the benefits extend beyond the gym.
“Ok, for several reasons. ok, number one in my opinion, for students, when they learn how to lift weights and they start gaining some strength, it boosts their confidence,” Kivett said.Â
“It’s a strong feeling and you start to feel your body change a little bit in a positive way. It really, really boosts confidence.”
This confidence can carry over into other areas of students’ lives, including academics, athletics, and social interactions. Seeing personal progress helps students feel more capable and motivated, reinforcing the idea that effort leads to results.
In addition to building confidence, the class emphasizes education and independence. Rather than having every student follow the same routine, Kivett focuses on teaching students how to think critically about fitness and their individual goals.
“So I try to teach them how to design a workout based on their goals and what they’re trying to achieve within those goals.”
This personalized approach allows students to understand their own bodies and learn skills they can use long after high school. Whether a student wants to improve athletic performance, build strength, or simply stay active, the weightlifting class provides tools to support those goals.
Overall, the weightlifting program at Shadow Ridge High School is more than just lifting weights. It is a class that promotes confidence, self-improvement, and lifelong fitness knowledge. Through supportive instruction and individualized learning, students are given the opportunity to grow stronger both physically and mentally.
As interest continues to grow, the class remains a positive environment where students feel encouraged, supported, and motivated to challenge themselves while developing healthy habits they can carry into adulthood.
