Lesson Plan

Fitness Foundations Roadmap

Students will identify and practice the four core components of fitness—cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility—through interactive challenges and reflective activities.

Building foundational fitness literacy empowers students to develop healthy exercise habits early, supports lifelong wellness, and meets Tier 1 MTSS goals by engaging all learners.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Warm-Up: Heart-Rate Hunt

7 minutes

Step 3

Presentation: Core Components of Fitness

8 minutes

Step 4

Activity: Fitness Circuit Stations

15 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down & Reflection: Stretch & Reflect

7 minutes

Step 6

Assessment: My Fitness Self-Check

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Move It: Core Components of Fitness

Welcome students and introduce the session. Explain that today we’ll explore the four key parts of fitness and learn how to move our bodies in fun ways.

What Is Fitness?

Lead a short brainstorm. Ask: How do you know when your body is ‘fit’? Capture ideas on the board.

Component 1: Cardiovascular Endurance

Explain that cardiovascular endurance is about how well your heart and lungs work when you’re active.

Cardiovascular Endurance in Action

Show pictures or demonstrate each activity if possible. Then ask: Which activity gets your heart pumping the fastest?

Component 2: Muscular Strength

Clarify that muscular strength relates to how much force a muscle can produce in a single effort.

Building Muscular Strength

Demonstrate a push-up or show a photo. Encourage students to consider other strength moves they know.

Component 3: Muscular Endurance

Emphasize the difference between strength (one-time effort) and endurance (repeating many times).

Muscular Endurance Activities

Invite a volunteer to hold a plank for 20 seconds. Then ask how their arms and core feel.

Component 4: Flexibility

Discuss everyday tasks that require flexibility like tying shoes or reaching high shelves.

Flexibility in Real Life

Lead a quick demonstration of a standing toe-touch stretch. Remind about safe form.

Your Fitness Challenge

Encourage students to think of one activity for each fitness component they could do at home or at recess.

Reflection & Goals

Use this slide to close the lesson. Ask pairs to share their chosen activities and one take-away.