This simpler version includes all room components and room description, and should print out cleanly on most printers.
This grades 6-8 School has the benefit of a fantastic space that was available for a fitness center. With class sizes of 40-46 students this school decided to mix traditional strength equipment with current interactive trends. This room offers something for everyone. See below the illustration for descriptions of the components and an explanation of how the room is used.
The school facility features 12 KickStart Plated Weight machines by Tuff Stuff. These high qualitymachines are configured specifically for kids and are ideal for Middle Schools. The machines feature color-coded weight stacks and full-length safety shrouds around the stacks. Additional weight is available if you want to make the machines available for teachers!
2) Cateye GamebikesThe school has 4 commercial Gamebikes. These machines allow the rider to control the speed and directionof gameplay on more than 60 popular, speed-related video games. Immensly popular, these bikes truly define "exertainment", delivering high-quality aerobic workouts through interactive gameplay.
3) Dance Dance Revolution6 active dance pads are available at 3 DDR stations featuring wall-mounted flat screen TVs. Multiplepractice pads are available for added users.
4) Ivanko Rubber FlooringThese quality rubber mats can be used for any number of activities. The DDR pads are easily moved to allow for other accessories, etc.
5) Medicine Balls w/RackThe core/dynamic section of the gym features a 6-ball Medicine Ball set. Medicine Balls are once again at the forefront of fitness training due to their usability in a wide range of core/dynamic fitness workouts and exercises.
6) Core/Dynamic Workout SectionThis area is primarily devoted to core/stability, balance, and dynamic strength conditioning. The school also has an assortment of accessories to use in this area such as Fitness Balls, BOSU, and Indo Boards in an adjoining storage area..
Free Weight SectionMiddle Schoolers can benefit from free weight resistance training as long as they are properly supervised for proper weight loads, pace, and form.This facility ncludes 2 Benches with Ivanko Dumbbells ranging from 5 lbs to 25 lbs.
The room is divided into two sections: Strength and Core, and Interactive Cardio.There are several different programming concepts that can be put in place with thistype of equipment. Many PE teachers ask, how do I incorporate the interactive equipmentwith the traditional equipment? Here are some of the options for the teachers at this school.
This room has a good balance of equipment as there is enough traditional fitness equipment that the PE teacher can “Close” the interactive fitness portion of the room all together if desired. By simply moving the Game Bikes away from the TV (they become standard commercial stationary bikes with programming and fitness read out panels.) The teacher incorporates some accessories such as BOSU and Fitness Balls. Now we have 23 stations. With students paired up, 46 students are now engaged in a teacher lead traditional strength and cardio circuit. It is important to note: a teacher’s energy and creativity can make a huge difference in the quality of workout for circuit training. Circuit programs can get dry if the programming doesn’t mix things up; we strongly recommend utilizing fitness accessories in any circuit program. These accessories offer teaching opportunities for exercises with inexpensive, highly versatile equipment such as a fitness balls, BOSU or balance boards. In addition, for kids that are motivated to be fit, these items are attainable for home use.
Students Pair up on the strength and core section. There are 17 -18 stations in the traditionalfitnesssection. That accounts for up to 36 kids if needed. These students rotate around theequipment as a standard teacher lead circuit. The 10 “chosen” students that met the outlinedcriteria set at an earlier date play on the DDR and Game Bikes. At this middle school each of the DDR games comes equipped with practice pads and the rubber flooring is large enough to accommodate one pad behind each active pad. This enables the teacher to allow 12 students (or more) to participate on the DDR. A good trick for the game bikes is toplace a BOSU or balanceboard in the area behind each bike. The kids that are racing each other, race hard and fast. When each race is over, they switch with partners that are cooling down and then watching the race, but balance boarding too.
This type of rotation can be especially useful for longer periods or block schedules.The class is divided into two groups. Let’s say we have a class of 43. 22 kids (group A) start the session in a traditional teacher lead circuit. This can be done in pairs, or by adding some accessory stations, with one student per station. Group A rotates around the equipment with teacher cues and upbeat music. The teacher would calculate how much time is to be spent on each machine according to half of the allotted fitness time. The other group (B) of 21 kids is playing the interactive games. By adding 3 or 4 practice pads, DDR games we can have 15- 18 kids that can rotate on the DDR at every song. By adding a Balance board or Bosu (or other accessory) to the end of the game bikes we get the remaining 8 kids at the game bike stations. The group B can manage its own rotation based on the games or songs that are being played. It is recommended to set rules for “getting in line” at a DDR group or game bike, would allow kids to freely switch from DDR to Gamebike without incidence. Most kids will actively participate in either the Game Bike or the DDR for extended periods of time so even the longer block periods shouldn’t be a motivational problem at the interactive equipment. Half way thru the period. Groups A and B switch. By the end of the extended period, the students have gotten a serious strength and cardio workout, and had a good time doing it!
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