Ian Happ Gives Back: Bringing REP Your School to Mt. Lebanon

Between training, practicing, traveling across the U.S., and playing in 150 games in 2025, REP Fitness athlete Ian Happ, outfielder and switch hitter for the Chicago Cubs, had an idea. What if he could give back to his high school, setting them up with equipment to support the next generation of athletes?

While in Colardo for a game, he popped into REP's headquarters to see if this idea could be become a reality — and that's how REP Your School was born.

We grabbed some time with Happ to learn more about his training and why REP Your School matters to him and the future of athletics.

Early Years — From Mt. Lebanon to the Majors

After a standout career at the University of Cincinnati, Happ was selected in the first round as the ninth overall pick by the Chicago Cubs. He spent two years moving through Class A and AA before being called up to the majors in 2017.

Before the pros, Happ played at Mt. Lebanon High School under coach Pat McCloskey. "I understand how lucky I was to end up in Mt. Lebanon… with Pat McCloskey and the influence that had on me," says Happ. I wouldn't be where I'm at today without Pat and the dedication that he had."

Mt. Lebanon wasn’t an athletic prep school — it was just a local public high school, the closest to where Happ and his family lived. "I just got really lucky to have this insanely dedicated individual as my high school baseball coach," says Happ.

The Importance of Youth Development 

Happ credits much of his love for baseball to his high school coach, who kept training fun and focused on game-like situations rather than strict drills. "We would basically just play games in the summer as our training. [McCloskey] would make it a really fun environment to go out and enjoy being out there," he says.

He emphasizes that youth development is about balance: "Don’t be afraid to play multiple sports and just lean into general athleticism… Training strength is good, but not at the expense of overall athleticism."

Similarly, exercise and academic performance often go hand-in-hand, with studies showing increased physical education and movement supporting blood flow to the brain, strengthened neural connections, and enhanced cognitive function.

Happ also mentions the importance of sport-specific training. "For baseball, for golf, for sports with that rotating component, it's important to focus on rotation and force generation," he explains.

Lastly, it's important for those who are new to strength training to start slow. "Younger athletes will jump into something and load the weight up," he says. Instead of lifting too heavy, without proper form, and without full control of your body, start off with light weights. Then, build from there.

Ian Happ's Go-To Exercises

Instead of heavy squats, Happ emphasizes exercises that directly improve rotation, power, and function strength for baseball. "I used to think squatting heavy was important, but I don't care about that at all anymore," he says. "I still deadlift and work on pulls from the ground, but heavy squats just don’t translate to my sport as well. There are other ways to produce that force that are easier on the body."

Happ's training revolves around movements that mimic the rotational and explosive demands of the game. Some of his go-to exercises include:

• Deadlift — Builds overall posterior chain strength and explosiveness from the ground.
• Medicine Ball Throws — Develops rotational power and hip-to-shoulder transfer for hitting and throwing.
• Cable Chop - This single-arm rotational move targets core rotation and force generation in a controlled, sport-specific way.
• Shoulder Stability Exercises — To keep his body healthy after thousands of throws, shoulder stability work is Happ's go-to for maintenance. Try internal/external shoulder rotations, face pulls, and scapular push-ups for bulletproof shoulders.

Check out Ian Happ's home gym here:

REP Your School: Giving Back to the Community

Mt. Lebanon had a strong program, but their small gym was limited in equipment. When Happ discovered the REP® Ares™ 2.0 Cable System — a compact system that attaches to a rack and allows a wide range of exercises — he had a lightbulb moment.

Happ teamed up with REP to provide Mt. Lebanon with a new training facility featuring the Ares™ 2.0 cable systems. He hopes REP Your School will expand beyond his own high school. "It gives [students] access to unbelievable equipment. Not only to train and be the best versions of themselves, but to stay healthy and create habits that carry into college," he says, whether they're aiming to play in college or not.

"Giving them modern equipment to really focus on the exact aspects of their sport is really important. For athletes fortunate enough to play at the highest level, it’s an opportunity to give back to a place that was instrumental in their development," Happ adds. "There’s no better feeling than being able to give that back to the community and help the next generation."

The Best Fitness Equipment for Schools

Check out this article on the best school gym eqipment, including:

• Power Racks
• Adjustable Benches
• Dumbbells
• Kettlebells
• Functional Trainers
• Barbells
• Weight Plates
• Plyo Boxes
• Sandbags
  
• Cardio Equipment

Building a Legacy in Youth Sports

"I realized pretty early how lucky I was to have the support system that I had growing up," says Happ. He wanted to give back to his own high school, Mt. Lebanon, by providing the equipment and resources that helped him grow as an athlete.

Through REP Your School, the goal is to expand that opportunity: to inspire other elite athletes to give back to the schools and programs that shaped them, helping future generations access the training tools, guidance, and support they need to succeed.

FAQs

What's the best equipment for a high school training facility?

The best equipment for a high school training facility is durable, versatile, and safe: start with power racks, barbells, bumper plates, adjustable benches, dumbbells, kettlebells, plyo boxes, and medicine balls so athletes can train strength, power, and movement efficiently. The Ares™ 2.0 cable system pairs with a rack, providing added versatility in a minimal footprint. NSCA high school guidance emphasizes that safety, supervision, and efficient facility design matter as much as the equipment itself, so the “best” setup is one that lets many students train well at once under qualified coaching. 

How can I get involved with REP Your School?

As REP Your School takes off, we'll keep you posted here on how to get involved here!