This semester, the physical education department has implemented a new structure for fitness days: students are taken to one of the main gym areas where they receive a lesson about a particular fitness component then work to improve that component afterward. These days replace typical Thursday fitness club activities once a month, in which students were allowed to choose between 3-4 activities that typically included basketball, walk/jog, fitness game, and the weightroom.
“This adjustment to the traditional Fitness Club format has been beneficial for both students and teachers. We’ve introduced new games and activities that many students may not have previously experienced,” PE department chair Jennifer Tomczak said. “Sometimes these opportunities may be the first time a student tries something new, which can spark a lasting interest.”
Some students are enjoying the change.
“I do enjoy the fitness days that we are given. I think it’s great because students are getting to spend time with other people who may not be in their gym class specifically,” Isabella Kazak, freshman, said. “I think that the information we are given during the fitness days is very helpful in the understanding of different fitness components.”
While staff is generally excited to implement these changes, others in the student body have expressed that they prefer the traditional fitness club days that promote choice-driven exercise.
“It is objectively not smart. Wanting to work out requires an enjoyable activity, making people do weird activities will not make them want to exercise,” senior Logan Koeritz said. “It made me not want to go to gym that day. ”
“I’d much prefer the prior set up. Students look forward to those days to socialize, and taking that away for something no one wants to do puts everyone in a sour mood,” junior Keira Valek O’Shaughnessy said.
These fitness days are not entirely new: a similar initiative, with the same name, used to be in place that promoted activity between all students in one gym period rather than adding onto students’ foundational knowledge of fitness.
“During the winter months, when students are indoors more frequently, routines can become monotonous. We felt reintroducing fitness days would help vary instruction, maintain engagement, and provide a refreshing change of pace,” Tomczak said.