Workouts Teachers Can Do In The Classroom To Improve Health

Workouts done by teachers in the classroom doesn’t have to be this excruciating tiring fitness routine. It can be made simple but fun! Teachers can even get their students to join in on their workout time.

Win win right?

The only person stopping you from getting some daily physical activity is yourself.

As teachers sometimes we feel too tired to do much after school. Or there just isn’t enough time in the day to get to the gym or go for a run, but I’m telling you it’s doable.

I’ve listed a bunch of ways to get a mini work out in while you have a class full of students.

Desk Push Ups:
- These can be done anywhere! Your desk, the kids desks, a bookshelf, etc. Nothing gets your arms and chest tone like some good ole fashioned push ups. You can even do this discretely in the back of the class while your students are working silently in front of you!
On the Hour Squats:
- You don’t necessarily have to do squats, but you could make it a classroom priority that you and your students stand up on the hour, every hour and get some sort of physical activity. A few sets of 20 squats, or 2 minutes of jumping jacks. On your drive into work, decide what exercises you are going to get with your students or let your kids pick their favorites to do that day as a reward.
Walk on Your Prep:
- If you have a Fitbit or step counter, set a step goal that you can achieve on your prep or lunch. Commit to this every day, and I promise you will feel accomplished through out the rest of your day. Try to stay on track, and increase your step goal weekly!
Recess:
- I understand recess is your time to unwind or let your kids run out some of their energy, but playing a game of kickball or tag with them will not only strengthen your bond, but burn some extra calories. One of my favorite things to do with my students is play football with them. I look at it as my 30 minutes of cardio for the day, and I feel really great afterwards.
Yoga Sessions:
- It doesn’t matter what grade you teach, almost all of us have a projector to incorporate a quick yoga session. Cosmic Yoga for Kids is great for the little guys, and there are SO MANY free yoga videos on YouTube for the older kids. You could do Yoga Mondays, to get the students ready for their academic week, or you could incorporate a few different yoga poses in your On the Hour Work Outs!
Talk to your PE Teacher:
- Ask your PE teacher in your building if there is going to be a time the gym is not in use. As the PE teacher of my school, I text one of our 1st grade teachers every half day we have, and let her know what times my gym is free and set out equipment for her. She then takes her kids down for a half hour play session. You could do this with your PE teacher, and use it to run some laps, or to get your workout in through game play.
Calf Raises:
- How easy is this one?? Sculpt your calves through out the day when you are walking around or just standing still while your students are doing work.
Dumbbell Work:
- There is nothing stopping you from keeping a couple 7-10 lb dumbbells in your desk. Get a quick arm work out on your lunch break, or do some shoulder presses while your kids head out for recess. If you teach middle or high school, hit the weights between class periods when your students are transitioning!