Inter-generational Weight Training: Learning About More Than Health

At Howard High School in Ellicott City, the advanced weight training class isn’t just for students—it’s also for local senior citizens. In a partnership that began six years ago,
Howard County General Hospital refers seniors to the school’s Advanced Weights class
where their progress is monitored by students including student athletes on the football,
baseball and track teams.

The program was designed to help seniors and students both physically and emotionally.
The students get to see older folks in a different light and they get to put their training to
work, demonstrating the differences between good and bad lifting. What developed as a
health initiative has helped to create bonds and affection between the two generations.
This program has helped to strengthen seniors’ lives while offering opportunities for
improved health and it has helped teaching teenagers about the older generation. Another outcome has been that students learn the value of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle throughout life.