Suggested Age

12-18 year-old boys

Purpose

Beginning with benchmark testing, each student will be challenged and taught how to expand and exceed his individual scores and log his growth in strength and stamina. Points of reference will be recorded for each individual in five areas: sit-ups, push-ups, flexibility, BMI (Body Mass Index), and the standardized PACER test (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run). These five areas will be retested periodically to note growth in strength and stamina.

Process

Class periods will chiefly be comprised of activity. Activities and games will include tips and practice in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and Frisbee skills, and games from the New Games Foundation, such as “Knock Your Socks Off” and “Group Juggling”. (Fitness should be fun!) All activities will be adapted or modified to match the age and size of the group.

Some class periods will also include instruction and discussion on health topics that will include nutrition, necessity of exercise, proper exercise, healthy habits, alternatives to fitness centers, safety, planning a simple workout at home, and the role of attitude.

Students will be encouraged to keep a log monitoring heart rate, weekly exercise and diet, and snack habits. Logs will also include their benchmark data and updated testing scores.

The idea of this class is to “bend” young men toward a healthy and active adulthood, and away from the idea that fitness is hard and boring. Marathon training, and a membership at a fitness center have their place, but Ultimate Frisbee is extremely “healthy”, and more fun! As adults, our students will say, “Run out for a long one!” before they say, “Let’s go to the gym and lift weights.”