Strength and Conditioning
Program Philosophy
The Taft School Strength and Conditioning program is built on a foundation of education, athletic development, and community. Recognizing that many high school students are stepping into a training environment for the first time, we prioritize teaching proper lifting technique, recovery strategies, and nutrition information to promote safety and confidence in the gym and lifelong health. Our focus is on building better athletes—training that directly translates to improved performance on the field, court, or ice. Training programs develop athletic ability through speed, agility, power and strength training, while stressing the importance of injury prevention with core stability, mobility and range of motion. Programs are designed based on an athlete's age, training experience and sport. We emphasize high-quality movement, resiliency, and long-term development with a plan designed to prepare students for the next level. Through shared effort, teamwork, and a supportive environment, we foster a culture where students from all sports and experiences train together, push one another, and HAVE FUN competing as they grow stronger—physically, mentally, and as a community in Taft Athletics.
Program Offerings
- Offseason Sports Performance Program
- Highlight program for Taft Strength and Conditioning
- Offered in the fall and winter seasons as an afternoon extracurricular option
- Groups meet 4 days per week for 60-75 minutes focusing on preparing varsity athletes for their primary sports.
- Year round training programs offered virtually by Coach Turner
- Varsity teams train together at least once per week during their season
Meet Coach Will Turner
Coach Will Turner serves as the Program Director for Strength and Conditioning at Taft and also works as an Admissions Counselor. Before joining Taft, Coach Turner was the inaugural strength and conditioning coach at Greenwich Country Day School, where he played a key role in building the program at a newly established high school. Prior to that, he was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Yale University, working with a range of varsity programs including men’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, and women’s volleyball. Throughout his career, Coach Turner has worked with NCAA national championship teams, Ivy and Patriot League champions, and numerous athletes who have advanced to professional and international careers.
He holds a Master of Education degree from Boston University, where he also served as a graduate assistant in the strength and conditioning program. Coach Turner earned his Bachelor of Science in Applied Exercise Science from Springfield College. He currently lives on campus with his wife, Shannon Turner, and his dog, Theo.
