Let's Talk Fitness Warm-Ups

In my class, workout/fitness activity is the standard for the beginning of every class. The workouts are never long but my hope is for students to gain confidence in building their own fitness routines, have an opportunity to work with a variety of students, and learn that you don't have to spend tons of $$$ or time in order to get have an impactful workout. Additionally, my goal is to have the first 15-20 minutes of class completely student-directed. 

Fitness Groups

Here's a picture of what my students see when they first come into the classroom. They are expected to read it and know what's going on while they are walking laps at the start of class. Once lap time (one song) is over, they get into their teacher-selected fitness groups* (thank you, Team Shake) and get to work. At the start of the week, getting to work means writing individual S.M.A.R.T. goals and playing a fitness game. As the week progresses, getting to work means doing a group workout (like an A.M.R.A.P. or the Dice Game).

*Teams are made up of 3-4 students and teams workout together for a month. I choose the teams as a way to encouraging kids to step out of their comfort zone and build social well-being. Additionally, each week a different student serves as the leader. This is a way to challenge students to take on different social roles.

The Fitness Activity Routine

As previously mentioned, after one song groups meet at their designated area by a magnetic whiteboard mounted to the gym wall. As the group is gathering, the leader grabs the team fitness binder & box, and then they get to work - work, work, work, work, work (#sorrynotsorry).

Inside each binder, there are five or so activity pages (Download this freebie and a photo catalog of 50+ exercises). Most days I choose the activity but once in a while it's a "you pick" kinda day. I'll admit, I didn't add any new games last year...So that's definitely something I'll be doing differently this year (Please send me any suggestions).

Along with the binders, each group has a fitness box. Each box has a deck of cards, foam dice, vis-a-vis markers, dry erase markers, and a cleaning rag. Students use these tools to write exercises on the activity sheets (in plastic protectors) or on their whiteboards and partake in the activities.

Well, that's it for my fitness warmups. I hope you're able to use the freebies I've linked to in your classroom! And please share any suggestions as to how my routine can better serve students!

This Free Fitness Bundle Includes:

• • Fitness Group Poster
  • Fitness Binder Covers
  • Write & wipe fitness activity printables 
  • Daily goal sheet 
  • Fitness Bingo (goes with this TPT download)