Water jugs and resistance bands are replacing squat racks and lifting platforms. Utilizing an array of old school equipment with a new school mindset, Central College’s highly regarded strength and conditioning program is launching a creative approach to spring-semester training for student-athletes.

A move to remote learning for Central College classes this spring temporarily ends access to Ron Schipper Fitness Center, along with thousands of gyms and workout facilities nationwide. But strength and conditioning coordinator Kyle Johnson and assistant Charles Friday have already contacted Dutch student-athletes, outlining a detailed “Accelerating in Exile” program to ensure the temporary departure from campus doesn’t slow preparations for next season.

“The worst thing we can do now is to do nothing, to get out of our good habits, to slow down the momentum that we’ve gained over the winter months in our training and regress,” Johnson told the student-athletes in an introductory video. “That’s going to be the easy thing to do and what a lot of people are going to do in both school and athletics. We need to keep moving the needle, we need to keep finding new ways to get better and come up with the best training plan that we can to finish strong this spring semester.”

High-end strength and conditioning equipment is beneficial, but there are other ways to enhance performance levels. While some student-athletes might at least have a set of barbells at home, they can rely on simple items like a fitness ball, jump rope, resistance band, towel and five-gallon water jugs all purchased for less than $50 when making a grocery run. The Dutch coaches sent a list of low-cost training tools. Along with a detailed weekly workout plan, Johnson and Friday posted YouTube videos where they demonstrate each exercise.