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November 5, 2025

Opelika City Schools Announces Major Athletic Performance Upgrades

Opelika City Schools is investing in the future of its student-athletes with a full equipment renovation in the Indoor Practice Facility (IPF) at Opelika High School. The new equipment elevates performance, reduces injury risk, and enhances learning opportunities for both athletes and sports medicine students.

The most significant upgrade is 10 custom Williams Strength power racks with jammer-arm attachments. This allows all athletes to safely train for explosive movements and sport-specific rotations. Surrounding the power racks are 30 new Intek barbells, neutral-grip bars, trap bars, lighterweight bars for young athletes, and safety squat bars for injured athletes.

The IPF also features 10 in-floor platforms with the signature Opelika “O” to absorb the impact of weightlifting. Custom-branded Intek bumper plates, benches, and wall-mounted weight storage complete the transformation.

Other various equipment will aid athletes in training, recovery, and learning:

  • Five cable column machines offer targeted strength work and rehabilitation opportunities. Athletic Trainer Kourtney Hughes and athletic training students will use these stations daily to support injury prevention and return-to-play protocols.
  • The facility includes Williams Strength dumbbells and kettlebells, medicine balls, plyometric jump boxes, prowlers, acceleration sleds, agility bungees, TRX suspension trainers, and resistance bands, ensuring every sport has sport-specific training options.
  • A new belt squat machine allows athletes with shoulder, hand, or back injuries to safely continue lower-body training without spinal loading, ensuring no student is left behind because of an injury.

New additions also include:

  • 6 Glute-Ham/Reverse Hyper combo machines
  • 5 lat pulldown/seated row combo machines
  • 2 Assault Bikes
  • 10 prowlers, 10 acceleration sleds, and 10 TRX units
  • 5 Exxentric kBox flywheel systems

“I’m so excited about these upgrades. It shows our commitment to meeting our student-athletes’ needs. We’re going to see greater athletic development, safer training methods, and hands-on learning experiences for students interested in sports medicine careers,” shared athletic performance director Kade Mcgee.

A modern gym with weightlifting racks and exercise equipment.     A well-equipped gym features rows of sleds and weight training equipment.     A well-equipped gym with rows of dumbbells and weight racks.     Rows of dumbbells and kettlebells are neatly arranged on shelves in a gym.

 

A red weightlifting rack with various attachments and weights.     Five bright red cable column weight machines line a white-tiled wall inside Opelika High School’s Indoor Practice Facility. Each machine includes adjustable pulleys and black padded seats, part of the school’s recent equipment renovation for student-athlete training.     A red exercise machine stands in a brightly lit gym.     A well-equipped gym with weight racks, dumbbells, and exercise platforms.

 

A row of weightlifting power racks in a brightly lit gym.     A well-equipped gym with weightlifting racks and exercise equipment.     A well-equipped gym with various weight training machines.   

 

 A weight rack with various weight plates and accessories in a gym.