As of this semester, the Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) Recreation Center (Rec Sports) has added another way for students, staff, faculty and alumni to show off their strengths, literally, with their new weight room Leaderboard; as opposed to only competing in intramural sports.
This gives a chance to all the strong and wannabe strong people to really test their stuff as all they have to do is have a Rec Sports staff member watch them perform the lift they are going for.
There are two weight classes which are over and under 200 pounds and the top three lifts and times get their names on the board.
This has already caused plenty of excitement for gym goers who have been going to work out with Rec Sports.
Jesus Alvarez is a personal trainer at Rec Sports and a participant as well and is with the majority that likes the idea of the Leaderboard.
“Having the Leaderboard at the rec is pretty dope.
It makes lifting a lot more interesting in the sense that it helps motivate people to try and get on and beat the other records. The first couple of days it was up I didn’t pay it much attention since I wasn’t sure where my max was at, so I just wanted to try and hit 315 before I tried hitting 325,” Alvarez said. “Once I knew where I was I basically trained chest just once a week but I would do heavy weight for low reps to help increase my strength and then would do accessory work and deload for size and symmetry. Also I do feel like it’s a good thing for the rec to have. It’s a fun competition that makes you want to work towards getting stronger so you can maybe try and break one of the records and get on the board. “
Ernesto Gamez, a power lifter and employee at Rec Sports had a slightly different take.
“I think 200 pounds is still a little high to divide between people…I think maybe 175 would be a better cutoff between weight classes,” Gamez said.
Krystal Cepeda, a participant in all things Rec Sports for a few years, could see both opinions as valid.
“I like the idea of the leaderboard, I think it’s a good motivator for people…I want to try to beat the treadmill one,” she said.
Alvarez will not be deterred.
“Funny thing is that once I finally got on the board I was only up there for about five hours until they came and beat my record,” he said.
“Once I saw that I got beat I told myself that I would get back on the board and put up 350 for second place but I tied and put up 345 like it was butter.”
