Weight Lifting in Prisons: A Survey and Recommendations

Abstract

Proper strength training regimens have many well-known benefits. However, given that improper strength training programs can be injurious, should correctional health officials support policy that requires proper strength training techniques? Twenty-five randomly picked prisons in the western United States were surveyed and asked these questions: (a) Are there weights or formal resistance training equipment within the facility? (b) If yes, does the institution have any formal policies established regarding use of that equipment? Twenty-three of the institutions had strength training equipment; only 2 had policies regarding equipment use. Survey results clearly show that most correctional facilities have no policy regarding practice of safe and effective strength training techniques and therefore may fail to achieve the desired results. It is recommended that qualified supervision be present inside all correctional strength training facilities. The qualified personnel in charge should be certified by nationally recognized organizations and should enforce safe lifting policy, including (a) limitations of one repetition maximum lifts allowed at least six repetitions should be performed for each exercise for most inmates, (b) emphasis on slow and controlled lifting movements only, and (c) emphasis on proper warm-up and cooldown procedures.