5 Favorite PE Fitness Station Activities

The new DynamicPEASAP.com curriculum is a great resource for teachers. This month, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite PE Fitness station activities. It is important to note, that by no means do I think lessons should be just about activities. With all these activities, there are countless learning outcomes (targets or objectives) that could be met using the activities, which Dynamic PE includes at the top of each lesson card. I encourage you select EVERY activity based on the outcome you are addressing. For this blog I will provide the activity and why I like it.

PE Fitness Station Activities

The DynamicPEASAP.com fitness activities are designed to expose students to a variety of moderate to vigorous fitness related activities. In doing this, successful experiences are emphasized and activities are provided in an interval fashion. Music is broken down into music, then silence, music, then silence, to create intervals. Some activities are “20/20” which means 20 seconds of music followed by 20 seconds of silence for 7-8 minutes. When the music stops or begins, students begin a new activity. Other intervals include 30/30, 30/10, and 45/5. Using interval music ensures similar bouts of activity and allows teachers to get around to students. The silence also gives the teacher an opportunity to correct form or introduce a new movement. If lessons are longer, I would encourage you to do fitness for 7-8 minutes and then revisit later in the lesson if time allows. For middle and high school, 15-20 minutes would be appropriate. I’ve attached the lesson plan activity cards from DynamicPEASAP. Print them and take them out in the field with you!

1. Teacher Leader

This is one of my favorites because it’s a time to teach students the foundational movements that will be used in all other fitness routines. This is a great time to teach countless muscular strength challenges, cardiovascular activities, and activities to improve flexibility. It can be used in the early elementary years or middle school to revisit or introduce newer/more advanced movements.

This is one of my favorites because it’s a time to teach students the foundational movements that will be used in all other fitness routines. This is a great time to teach countless muscular strength challenges, cardiovascular activities, and activities to improve flexibility. It can be used in the early elementary years or middle school to revisit or introduce newer/more advanced movements.

2. Racetrack Fitness

Racetrack fitness uses a sign like the one below and provides students with a choice using a 30/5 or 45/5 interval for older students. I like this activity because it starts giving students more freedom in their fitness choices yet maintains structure in the class.

3. Mini-Challenge Courses

These courses, or Ninja Warrior Courses, or whatever other creative courses you can provide, allow students to challenge themselves at their own level. The interval for these would also be 30/30. Using “mini” challenges allows for a variety of challenges to be used and discussed.

4. Circuits

An oldie but a goodie. I usually use a 40/15 or 45/15 interval for older students when I do circuits. Signs at each station describing the activities are great to enhance efficiency. And I like to liven things up by using a “YELL” as students rotate. For instance, I might yell, “MOVE UP” and the students yell “LET’S GO”. Or “PE” and they yell “ROCKS”. I have found this tends to get them to hustle and they love to yell. Win-win!

5. Partner Challenges

This is a great way to integrate cooperation and fitness. There are infinite possibilities of challenges to use in interval fashion, usually intervals of 30/30 or 45/45. Take part in knee tag, finger wrestling, shadowing, etc., or have students come up with some of their own great ideas.

These are just a few of my favorite fitness activities.  What are yours? Check out DynamicPEASAP.com for more activities and variations for multiple grade levels. I hope you give them a shot. tHRIVE