Uptown School Complex Unveils Renovated Weight Room to Boost Student and Community Wellness

ATLANTIC CITY — The Uptown School Complex has launched a new era of fitness and wellness with the unveiling of its renovated weight room, thanks to the determined leadership of Superintendent of Schools Dr. La’Quetta S. Small.

Upon visiting the school's fitness facility, Dr. Small felt that it was necessary to update the equipment. “It was evident our students and community deserved much better,” said Dr. Small. “I made it my mission to ensure swift and meaningful improvements were made.”

Now, those improvements have arrived. The weight room has been transformed into a modern center for physical health, boasting state-of-the-art equipment designed to serve both students and community members.

Uptown School Complex Principal Dr. Ananda Davis-Wright said the weight room project was exciting for both the students and the community. “First and foremost, I thought about my middle school students,” Dr. Davis-Wright explained. “I wanted to make sure they have access to the facilities that support them being competitive and helps prepare them to transition to the high school.”

She said Uptown students have consistently been competitive as it relates to the district's Middle School sports program. “We have a few years of being the overall champions,” Dr. Davis-Wright said. “We always bring home trophies for different sports in different categories, so this gives an extra edge in terms of being prepared.”

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by three Body Solid incline weight benches, providing ample space for strength training. The free weights now range from five-to-60 pounds, accommodating users of all experience levels. Cardio enthusiasts will find a trio of Body Craft treadmills and two elliptical machines, perfect for building endurance or warming up before workouts.

The addition of an Endurance rowing machine offers a full-body cardiovascular workout, while four new exercise bikes round out the expanded cardio offerings. The renovation also introduced a variety of equipment to support strength training and flexibility. Weighted balls, stretch bands, and both crunch and stretch balls are now available, giving users a comprehensive suite of tools for functional training and injury prevention.

Health and Physical Education Teacher Jason Little said the new equipment has the potential to help students improve their overall health. “I can definitely see it helping the kids a lot,” said Little. “In the midst of teaching movement and anatomy, they will see how different exercises improve different muscle groups.”

The updated weight room is open to Uptown School Complex students and will be open to the community members during the city's recreation program hours from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. School officials hope the new facility will foster a lifelong commitment to health and wellness while strengthening ties between the school and the broader community. 

“This renovation is about more than just new machines,” Dr. Small said. “It’s an investment in the health and well-being of our entire school community. We want every student and community member who walks through these doors to feel empowered to reach their fitness goals in a safe, supportive environment.”

To See Our gallery of the new Weight Room equipment, please click the link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DpyuexQAFLbUTUCP6

Thanks for reading the whole story!

At Atlantic City Focus, we're committed to providing a platform where the diverse voices of our community can be heard, respected, and celebrated. As an independent online news platform, we rely on a unique mix of affordable advertising and the support of readers like you to continue delivering quality, community journalism that matters. Please support the businesses and organizations that support us by clicking on their ads. And by making a tax deductible donation today, you become a catalyst for change helping to amplify the authentic voices that might otherwise go unheard. And every contribution is greatly appreciated. Join us in making a difference—one uplifting story at a time!

GET UP WITH ATLANTIC CITY FOCUS and RAYMOND TYLER
STARTING MONAY, FEB 10th AT 8AM!