Nineteen rising Bainbridge Middle School Bearcats seventh- and eighth-grade football players took part in the first day of voluntary summer weight training workouts Monday at the school weight room.

The weight room will be open for workouts each Monday and Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. through Thursday, Aug. 4. School begins Friday, Aug. 5.

The players begin each Monday and Thursday workout routine by pumping iron on the bench press to strengthen their upper body.

They then squatted with the heavy bar to strengthen their lower back and chest. They conclude the sessions by running around the middle school track or doing other agility drills.

Overseeing Monday’s weight room workouts were coaches Heith Maxwell and Chip Ariail.

Coach Maxwell talked to the young Bearcats about the importance of strengthening their leg muscles.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are playing football, basketball, baseball or any other sport, you need strong legs to compete,” he said.

“The drills we are doing today will build the strength in your legs.”