Fitness Challenge Gauntlet

Welcome to the Fitness Challenge Gauntlet! Today, we're going to explore our fitness superpowers: Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility. We'll go through a series of stations, and you'll get to see which superpowers you use for each challenge.

Instructions:

1. Listen to the Challenge: The teacher will explain each challenge and which fitness superpower it primarily focuses on.
2. Participate Safely: Do your best at each station, but always listen to your body and prioritize safety. It's about participation and discovery, not perfection!
3. Observe and Reflect: As you go through each challenge, think about how it feels and which superpower you're using. You'll discuss this later!

The Gauntlet Challenges:

Station 1: The Wall Sit Wizard (Endurance)

• Challenge: Lean your back against a wall and slide down until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle, as if you're sitting in an invisible chair. Hold this position for as long as you can!
• Focus: How long can your leg muscles work before they get tired? This is about muscular endurance.

Station 2: Push-Up Powerhouse (Strength)

• Challenge: Do as many push-ups as you can in 30 seconds. You can do them on your knees or toes. Keep your body in a straight line!
• Focus: How much force can your arm, chest, and shoulder muscles generate? This is about muscular strength.

Station 3: Reach for the Stars (Flexibility)

• Challenge: Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Slowly reach forward towards your toes. How far can you reach? Can you touch your ankles, shins, or even your toes?
• Focus: How far can your body stretch and bend? This is about flexibility in your hamstrings and back.

Station 4: Jumping Jack Juggernaut (Endurance)

• Challenge: Perform jumping jacks continuously for one minute. Keep a steady pace!
• Focus: How well can your heart and lungs support continuous movement? This is cardiovascular endurance.

Station 5: Plank Perfection (Strength & Endurance)

• Challenge: Hold a plank position (like the top of a push-up, resting on your forearms) for as long as you can, keeping your body in a straight line from head to heels.
• Focus: This challenge uses both strength (to hold the position) and endurance (to hold it for time) in your core muscles.

Station 6: Balance Beam Bender (Flexibility & Balance)

• Challenge: Stand on one leg and try to lift the other leg behind you, gently holding your ankle or foot with your hand to stretch your quad. Hold for 15-20 seconds per leg. (Imagine a balance beam!)
• Focus: This targets the flexibility in your quadriceps and also challenges your balance.

Reflection Questions (to be discussed after the gauntlet):

• Which challenge did you find most challenging? Why?
• Which challenge did you feel strongest in? Why?
• Did any challenge surprise you with how easy or difficult it was?
• How did these challenges relate to the three fitness superpowers: Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility?

Activity Preference Poll: What Gets You Moving?

Welcome! Let's get our minds and bodies ready for some fitness fun. Take a moment to think about what kind of physical activities you enjoy. There are no right or wrong answers, just what you like!

Instructions:

Read the questions below and write down your honest answers. Be ready to share some of your thoughts with the class!

1. What is one physical activity you love to do, or one that you find really fun?
   
   
   
2. If you had to pick a sport or activity that you feel you're naturally good at, what would it be and why?
   
   
   
3. What's an activity you've always wanted to try but haven't yet?
   
   
   
4. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being 'not at all' and 5 being 'very much'), how much do you enjoy physical activity?
   
   1     2     3     4     5