Peterson brings exercise-science expertise to assist athletes

If you’ve been hearing your friends talking about sore muscles and improved athletic performance, chances are they’re working out with Brandon Peterson, Minnehaha Academy’s new strength and conditioning coach.

In his new position, Peterson uses his background in exercise science to help students improve their athletic performance by working on sport-specific training and injury prevention.

Before working at Minnehaha Academy, Peterson worked at Bloomington Jefferson High School as their strength and conditioning coach. Peterson said his new position is very similar to his previous work, adding that he is thankful “Minnehaha has been very welcoming.”

Peterson grew up in Bloomington, where he attended Kennedy High School. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in exercise science.

Peterson’s main sport during high school was soccer, and he played lacrosse for two years in college.

Liv Andreasen, a junior and captain of the girls’ swim team, said that she appreciates how Peterson “makes workouts specifically for swimming, and switches up the workout to higher difficulty as we get stronger.”

Peterson has two high-school age children and said that he “spends a lot of time watching them play their sports.” He also enjoys going on bike rides and hiking with his family.