The Simpson College Athletic Department is starting a new strength and conditioning program for “out of season” student-athletes, and also for students that are looking for a program designed for total fitness.

The new program will include a sport specific strength program and a complete flexibility, agility, quickness, speed and cardiovascular program.

“The biggest reason for the changes are because of new NCAA regulations that state that coaches cannot run their own programs. It has to be a department wide program,” said Neil Nelson, assistant athletic trainer.

Since coaches cannot run their own programs, Simpson’s certified athletic trainers, student interns and staff members who are both certified strength and conditioning specialists or are working towards that certification, will be the personnel running the various programs.

Everyone who takes part in this program must have a current physical form, copy of insurance and a medical history form on file in the athletic trainers’ office.

There are also rules for this strength and conditioning program that Simpson has to follow to meet NCAA and IIAC guidelines. Attendance is completely optional; there will be no attendance taken or reporting attendance to coaches. The personnel will also be there to help participants at any time during the hours of the program.

The trainers will be monitoring the workouts to insure safety, proper technique, proper weight amounts and correct numbers of sets and reps. “This program is optional, you can come anytime,” said Nelson.

The new strength and conditioning program started on Thursday, Jan. 16 and will continue through April 18. There will be three sessions at various times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The session times will be from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m, 12:15 to 1:45 p.m, and 2 to 3:30 p.m. You can show up during any of these times on any day. Each session is run separately for the students’ convenience.

“The new strength and conditioning program has been going well so far,” said Nelson. “There has been a really good turnout.”