Lesson Plan
Fit & Fab Lesson Plan
Students will engage in a 40-minute small-group circuit rotating through cardio, strength, and flexibility stations to build balanced fitness habits, practice proper technique, and reflect on their performance.
This lesson builds core fitness skills, promotes healthy activity routines, and develops selfawareness and goalsetting in 7th graders. Varied stations keep students motivated and accommodate different strengths.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Hands-on station rotations with guided warm-up, reflection, and cool-down.
Materials
- Cones and Markers, - Exercise Mats, - Resistance Bands, - Jump Ropes, - 3-Station Fitness Circuit Slides, - Circuit Crew Rotations, - Station Reflection Sheet, - Dynamic Stretch Warm-Up, and - Guided Breathing Cool-Down
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of Station Reflection Sheet.
- Gather physical equipment: cones and markers, exercise mats, resistance bands, jump ropes.
- Arrange three stations in the activity space: cardio, strength, flexibility.
- Queue up the 3-Station Fitness Circuit Slides on your display.
- Review the Circuit Crew Rotations procedure for smooth transitions.
- Familiarize yourself with the Dynamic Stretch Warm-Up and Guided Breathing Cool-Down routines.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and state the lesson objective: balanced fitness through cardio, strength, and flexibility.
- Explain the circuit format and group rotations.
- Review safety reminders and proper form.
- Display the 3-Station Fitness Circuit Slides.
Step 2
Dynamic Stretch Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Lead the class through the Dynamic Stretch Warm-Up.
- Demonstrate each exercise (leg swings, arm circles, hip openers).
- Emphasize controlled movement and proper alignment.
Step 3
Station Rotations
20 minutes
- Divide into groups using Circuit Crew Rotations.
- Each group spends ~6 minutes per station before rotating on the signal.
• Station 1 (Cardio): jump ropes, high knees
• Station 2 (Strength): bodyweight squats, lunges, push-ups
• Station 3 (Flexibility): hamstring stretch, quad stretch, basic yoga pose - Circulate to offer feedback and encouragement.
Step 4
Station Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute the Station Reflection Sheet.
- Students record their challenges, successes, and improvement goals for each station.
- Prompt: Which station was most challenging? What will you focus on next time?
Step 5
Guided Breathing Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Lead students through the Guided Breathing Cool-Down.
- Emphasize slow, deep breaths and muscle relaxation.
- Recap key takeaways and encourage daily fitness habits.
- End with positive reinforcement.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
3-Station Fitness Circuit
• Rotate through three stations:
- Cardio
- Strength
- Flexibility
• Total circuit time: 20 minutes
• Spend ~6 minutes at each station
• Follow the timer chime for rotations
Introduce the circuit: explain the three stations (Cardio, Strength, Flexibility) and how students will rotate. Emphasize teamwork, staying on task, and listening for the chime.
Station 1: Cardio
• Jump Ropes: alternate feet or double-unders (1 min on, 30 sec rest)
• High Knees: drive knees to waist height (30 sec on, 30 sec rest)
• Maintain consistent pace and breathing
Demonstrate proper jump-rope technique (wrists rotating, land softly) and high-knee form (hips up, core engaged). Encourage steady breathing through both exercises.
Station 2: Strength
• Bodyweight Squats: 15 reps
• Forward Lunges: 10 reps per leg
• Push-Ups: as many quality reps as possible (focus on form)
• Use mats for comfort
Model a proper squat (knees over toes, chest up), a lunge (vertical shin, straight back), and a plank-style push-up (core tight). Remind students to pause and reset if form breaks down.
Station 3: Flexibility
• Hamstring Stretch: 30 sec per leg
• Quad Stretch: 30 sec per leg
• Downward Dog (Basic Yoga Pose): hold 45 sec
• Focus on controlled breathing and smooth transitions
Lead each stretch slowly, cue students to breathe deeply. For Downward Dog, demonstrate pressing through heels and lengthening spine.
Rotation & Timing
• 6 minutes per station
timer chime signals switch
• Quick water break between stations
• Move safely and quietly to next spot
• Stay engaged until all rotations are complete
Explain the rotation procedure: identify chime, move quickly but safely, take brief water breaks. Encourage students to line up quietly at their next station.
Activity
Circuit Crew Rotations
Purpose: Ensure smooth, efficient station changes and clear student responsibilities during the 3-station circuit.
Group Size: 4–6 students per crew.
1. Forming Crews
- Count off quickly by 1–6 (depending on total class size) to balance group numbers.
- Each number becomes a “crew.” Students move to their crew’s starting station (Cardio crew, Strength crew, Flexibility crew) as indicated on the 3-Station Fitness Circuit Slides.
2. Assigning Roles (Rotate Roles Each Circuit)
• Crew Leader (1 student) – Listens for the timer chime, cues crew to rotate, and signals start/stop.
• Timekeeper (1 student) – Watches the station timer (using a stopwatch or visible classroom timer) and gives 1-minute and 30-second warnings.
• Equipment Manager (1 student) – Distributes and collects props (jump ropes, bands, mats) and checks that gear is in good condition.
• Form & Safety Checker (Remaining members) – Monitors teammates’ form and reminds them of safety cues.
3. Rotation Process
- Start at assigned station on the teacher’s signal.
- Crew Leader starts the timer; Timekeeper watches.
- At 1-minute warning, Timekeeper says “1 minute left.”
- At chime (approx. 6 minutes), Crew Leader calls “Rotate!”
- Equipment Manager quickly gathers all station props.
- Students move clockwise to the next station, line up quietly, and set up equipment.
- Crew Leader confirms everyone is ready; signals “Go.”
4. Teacher Tips
- Practice one “dry run” of the rotation without exercises to reinforce the procedure.
- Place visual arrows or floor markers indicating rotation direction.
- Use a bell, chime app, or hand signal for consistency.
- Circulate and offer positive shout-outs for crews that rotate quietly and quickly.
5. Troubleshooting
- If equipment is missing: Equipment Manager checks the lost-and-found bin immediately.
- If a crew falls behind: Teacher gives a 30-second “catch-up” countdown.
- If form breaks down: Form & Safety Checkers pause the group (no more than 15 seconds) to correct major safety issues, then resume.
Worksheet
Station Reflection Sheet
Name: _______________________ Date: _______________
Station 1: Cardio
- What challenges did I face at this station?
- What successes or improvements did I notice?
- My goal for my next cardio session is:
Station 2: Strength
- What challenges did I face at this station?
- What successes or improvements did I notice?
- My goal for my next strength session is:
Station 3: Flexibility
- What challenges did I face at this station?
- What successes or improvements did I notice?
- My goal for my next flexibility session is:
Overall Reflection
- Which station was most challenging for me? Why?
- How will I continue improving my fitness based on today’s lesson?
- What is one healthy habit I will incorporate into my daily routine?
Thank you for your thoughtful reflections! Feel free to share any additional comments or questions below:
Warm Up
Dynamic Stretch Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
- Arm Circles (1 minute total)
• 30 sec forward circles – arms at shoulder height, small-to-medium circles
• 30 sec backward circles – reverse direction, controlled movement
- Leg Swings (1 minute total)
• 30 sec each leg, front-to-back – hold a cone or wall for balance, swing with control
- Hip Circles (1 minute total)
• 30 sec clockwise, 30 sec counter-clockwise – hands on hips, circle hips in wide arcs
- Walking Lunges with Overhead Reach (1 minute)
• Step forward into a lunge, drive arms overhead, alternate legs each step
• Keep chest lifted, core engaged
- Torso Twists (30 seconds)
• Feet hip-width, rotate torso side to side, arms outstretched at shoulder height
- High Knees in Place (30 seconds)
• Drive knees to waist height rapidly, pump arms, maintain upright posture
Cues:
- Stand tall, engage your core
- Move through full, controlled range of motion
- Breathe steadily throughout each movement
- Focus on smooth transitions and proper alignment
Cool Down
Guided Breathing Cool-Down
Time: 5 minutes
- Settle In (30 seconds)
• Find a comfortable seated or lying position.
• Close your eyes and place one hand on your belly.
- Diaphragmatic Breathing (1 minute)
• Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds, feeling your belly rise.
• Exhale gently through your mouth for 6 seconds, feeling your belly fall.
• Repeat for 1 minute.
- Box Breathing (2 minutes)
• Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
• Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
• Exhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
• Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
• Repeat cycle for 2 minutes.
- Gentle Neck & Shoulder Stretches (1 minute)
• Drop your right ear to your right shoulder; hold 15 seconds.
• Drop your left ear to your left shoulder; hold 15 seconds.
• Roll your shoulders backward 3 times, then forward 3 times.
- Reflection & Closure (30 seconds)
• Sit quietly and think: “What is one positive habit I will carry forward from today?”
• (Optional) Write your answer below:
One positive habit I will carry forward:
Cues:
- Focus on slow, controlled breaths.
- Release tension in each exhale.
- Encourage students to use this routine at home or before stressful events.