Credit to Mallory Barker

On Dec. 14, the girls varsity basketball team practices in the FHN small gym.

Every Monday and Wednesday mornings the FHN varsity girls basketball team lifts weights before school from 6:15-7 a.m.

“We started this to strengthen their upper and lower body, just to help with endurance in games and be stronger for the season,” Girls varsity basketball head coach Danielle Rampley said.

Lifting weights in the morning before school allows the team to still have a full two-hour practice after school, however, some players still find it difficult to wake up extra early to go workout.

“After long days, the last thing I want to do is wake up for 6 a.m weights,” senior basketball player Evie Kraus said, “it can be mentally challenging to find the motivation and discipline to get up early and push through a workout. Another challenging aspect is staying focused and alert during the day, especially after waking up early and exerting physical effort.”

Even though it’s tough waking up early, according to Rampley, it’s nice to build good habits at a young age.

“Once they’re here you get a good workout in and start your day that way, I hope once they graduate they’ll kind of keep that pattern going in life,” Rampley said. “Weight training in general is good for them to strengthen their bodies and get them in condition for basketball season.”

Having to get up extra early can also help with time management skills. Players have to learn to use their time more wisely because with two practices a day, it can be hard to find the balance between school and sports.

“Early morning practices have definitely made me more productive with my time.” Senior girls basketball player Alicia Hunn said, “Since I don’t have much time in the morning to get ready it’s made me focus more on preparation.” According to Healthline, training exercises in the morning has also been shown to boost metabolism and cause one to have increased focus and decision making, as well as improved mood and emotional resilience.

According to Healthline, training exercises in the morning has also been shown to boost metabolism and cause one to have increased focus and decision making, as well as improved mood and emotional resilience.

“I feel more energetic and more ready for games when we have morning weights,” Hunn said. “I like the feeling of knowing I’m putting good work in.”

Going straight from working out to going to school, it’s important these athletes take care of their body. They need to make sure they are at 100 percent for when it comes gametime. With the morning workouts, the basketball players often find themselves with tired muscles.

“Another challenge is dealing with muscle fatigue and soreness throughout the day, especially if I’m lifting heavy weights or doing intense exercises,” Kraus said.

Sometimes the easiest way to relieve this soreness or even prevent it is to do some simple stretching. They have to stay sharp for games or practices after school, and muscle soreness won’t help.

“The key to recovery after our morning practices is never skipping a stretch,” Hunn said. “Too many times I’ve been sore for days where I could have stretched and been perfectly fine. Stretching is the key to preventing injuries.”

With these weight sessions twice a week the girls basketball team is looking to improve their toughness and mentality out on the court.

“I hope to see less injuries, lifting makes them stronger and I hope overall just strength on the court,” Rampley said. “Most programs lift weights so just keeping up with them and being able to face the competition.”