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NJIT has enhanced the athletics program, particularly in areas that benefit the student-athletes directly, giving the Highlanders one of the elite athletic venues in the Northeast.
The 4,600 square foot strength and conditioning facility features: 25 yard turf area, seven platforms and 10 stations for barbell exercises. EliteForm technology was installed which is designed to capture and analyze the athletes weight lifts in real-time and improve student safety.
The NJIT Strength and Conditioning Program embraces the mission of both the Athletic Department and the University. We aim to support all coaches, student-athletes and staff members in any way we can. In addition, it is the mission of the strength and conditioning staff to minimize the risk of injury while enhancing each student-athlete's athletic ability, assisting them to achieve peak performance in their respective sport.
Philosophy
The NJIT Strength and Conditioning Program’s philosophy is based around three key ideas – 1. Decrease the risk of sport-related injury 2. Improve performance for your sport/position/event 3. Educate student-athletes to become the best they can be on and off the field of play.
Decrease the risk of sport-related injury – It does us no good to have a strong, fast, powerful athlete if they are injured and on the sideline for practices or competitions. We realize we cannot prevent all injuries, but through proper planning and by collaborating with our Sports Medicine team, we can target areas of concern for each specific sport to address potential injuries before they become an issue. Attempting to decrease the chance of injury also comes from sound programming that is progressive in nature and through constant communication with sport coaches on what the level of activity they are having at practice, off-season workouts or during competition.
Improving Performance for sport – Improving athletic qualities for your field of play is our end goal for every team and training program. We believe that everything we do will lead to a better, more resilient athlete when our sport coaches get them for their season. Many exercises and drills will overlap for many sports as general training, but as we get closer to the beginning of a season, training becomes more specific to each individual sport and even to the position or event.
Educate student-athletes – Performance-based training is more than lifting weights and running on the field. We provide our student-athletes with information regarding nutrition, sleep, recovery methods and other healthy habits so that they can become the best athlete that they can be while at school and so they continue to be a healthy and contributing member of society when their athletic career is over.
NJIT Strength and Conditioning consists of the following forms of training:
Warm up consists of dynamic flexibility, range of motion, central nervous system stimulation and preventative injury exercises.
Strength training consists of ground-based, multi-joint movements utilizing bodyweight, dumbbells, barbells, medicine balls, bands, weight vests, cables, slide boards, and other implements in a variety of movement patterns making use of a variety of methods, taking into account the goals of each team at the specific time of year.
Power training consists of explosive or dynamic movements utilizing bodyweight, bands, cables, weights, medicine balls and sleds, among other implements. This form of training also uses jumping drills, progressions to plyometrics, and Olympic lifting variations, progressing to the full Olympic lifts.
Speed, Agility, and Conditioning training consists of progressive, general and specific movement drills done on the court, field or track. These sessions are done to improve athletic traits specific to each sport, targeting aerobic and anaerobic conditioning through movement.
Flexibility and Mobility training consists of stretching dynamically or statically, as well as building strength through a full range of motion.
Recovery training includes recovery from training, practice and competition, utilizing stretching, soft tissue therapy, mobility, and active recovery methods. Recovery also includes the importance of sleep and nutrition as it relates to athletic performance.
Educating our student-athletes about what they are doing with us and why is of the utmost importance. Being available for discussions about all things related to athletic performance, nutrition, health and wellness can be brought to our table.
