Maryland Athletics - University of Maryland Official Athletic Site

Strength and Conditioning

In today's highly competitive world of collegiate football, the off-field preparation of the student-athlete is a critical component to the on-field success of any Division I program. Dwight Galt, Maryland's director of strength and conditioning, believes strongly that a solid off-field training program can dramatically improve levels of performance, as well as significantly reduce the chance of injury. The benefit of performing structured strength and power training throughout the entire year has allowed the Terps to reach new levels in physical development.

At the University of Maryland, the maximal development of athleticism is the primary goal of the strength and conditioning program. To accomplish this requires more than just strength and power training in the weight room. Speed improvement, agility, flexibility, conditioning, plyometrics, and nutrition also play critical roles. The Terps' strength staff places substantial emphasis on all these areas, with special attention to the improvement of speed potential. Galt and his staff employ a wide range of state-of-the-art training methods to assist in enhancing all aspects of speed development.

The Terrapins are fortunate to train in one of the premier weight training facilities in the country. Conveniently located in the Gossett Football Team House, this facility has excellent aesthetic appeal, with two magnificent skylights and large windows overlooking the playing field at Byrd Stadium. The Terps' spacious weight room includes 7,200 square feet of functional floor space, with two elevated offices that are easily accessible to the training floor.

Maryland football players train with some of the best equipment available, including 20,000 pounds of customized York free weights, seven pieces of Keiser progressive air resistance machines, and a full line of Hammer strength equipment. The weight complex also features immense, self-contained power rack stations, Olympic lifting platforms with Eleiko bumper plates, and 10 upper body pressing stations.

A meaningful goal of every Terrapin football player is achievement of the prestigious "Iron Terp" award, which is recognized twice a year to those team members who achieve extremely challenging strength goals, based on body weight. It is a great honor and matter of pride to earn an "Iron Terp" award, and the Terps must "pay the toll" to accomplish this.