In athletics today, the cornerstone of any student-athlete's success on the court is year-round preparation. The weight room in the University of Houston's Athletics/Alumni Center provides Cougar student-athletes the opportunity to become faster, stronger and more flexible.

A comprehensive program under the direction of new UH strength and conditioning coach Larry Jackson points Houston athletes in the right direction as they strive to reach their goals.

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Covering 16,500 square feet, the weight room contains the most modern and innovative weight training and conditioning equipment in the world. Cougar student-athletes improve their strength using power lifting equipment that includes 10 benches, 10 incline benches and 10 power squat racks. The benches and squat racks are custom-designed to fit the largest and smallest student-athletes. The 10 power lifting areas feature a submerged platform constructed six inches deep in the floor.

There are 54,000 pounds of customized weights in the center. The plates and dumbells are made of rubber and each bears a University of Houston logo and insignia. Eleiko bars, the power lifting equipment used in the Olympics, complement the weights. In addition to power weights, the room has David Bodymaster machines that are belt driven instead of cable driven, adding to exercise stability and consistency.

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In the heart of the room is a 20' x 20' padded AstroTurf plyometric area, which provides space for agility and stretching exercises, and for workouts using any one of the 50 medicine balls available. To ensure cardiovascular fitness, the Cougars can use Stairmasters, stepmills, Spinnaker machines, or an orbiter treadmill.

Conveniently located next to the training room and team locker rooms, the Strength and Conditioning Center provides a highly competitve, emotionally-charged and hard-working atmosphere. A stereo system is tuned to the latest hits, and mirrors line the walls. Dry-erase boards list the workout schedules and other information. A weight-lifting and strength test record board was added a year ago.

The strength and conditioning staff coordinate with the UH athletic trainers to devise safe and effective workouts for the rehabilitation of injured athletes. Cougar teams registered some eye-opening success in conditioning.

Just as an off-season program is the cornerstone of athletics success, Houston's Strength and Conditioning Center is a cornerstone of the AAC.