GROTON, Conn. – Fitch High School’s newest club, the weightlifting club, had its first meeting earlier this month with an enthusiastic turnout.

The first meeting hosted close to 25 interested participants. With several other students expressing interest but unable to make the first meeting, the club instantly established itself as an extracurricular activity with high interest and membership despite being brand new. The club aims to encourage physical activity and create an open-minded exercise environment for all of its members. 

“[The club] will positively influence people’s health and overall physical lifestyle, but another major component of it is the social life found in a gym,” said IB senior Fabian Aponte Flores, who founded the club. “The gym community is […] very close together because they’re all working towards a similar goal of creating a healthier lifestyle.” 

There are a limited number of athletic clubs at Fitch, with a focus on sports teams instead. Aponte Flores is working to change this, opening up more students to regular exercise.

The club’s advisor is William O’Leary, a Fitch High School science teacher. Those interested should come to the weight room near the gyms on Mondays and Fridays.