“You can’t keep a job if you don’t feel good”, was the statement made by the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center’s Center Director Thomas Rainey while planning the addition of a new larger weight room at the Perkins center. He added that there are so many benefits to keeping fit, it improves your mood, helps control weight and gives you more energy just to name a few. Some may not think that exercise and nutrition are really part of employability; however, the Perkins Job Corps Center and its management team know how important it is to keep physically fit when it concerns keeping your job, and your job performance.

In November 2013, the Perkins construction trade students and instructors began working on the new addition to the gym that would soon house the new state of the art 1600 sq. ft. weight room. The students and staff worked to get the project under roof before the cold weather arrived and then they could continue to work inside throughout the winter.

All of the equipment had been placed in the new weight room, which consisted of two ellipticals, stair climber, free weights, several stationary weight apparatuses, and two flat screen TVs were also added for students to enjoy while using the room. Finally, on Valentine’s Day 2014, the weight room was opened to let the workouts begin. The center previously had a very small weight room with some equipment and that has now been turned into a cross fit room. That is just another way that Perkins promotes fitness and utilizes space.