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A Push For Fitness

CANDACE C. MUNDY/TAMPA TRIBUNE

Bryant Elementary School has a new fitness course which students can use to help keep exercise fun, different and interesting. The fitness stations were installed over the summer and have been in use since the students returned to school in August. IN PHOTO--5th grader Maria-Jose Posada, 10, does push-ups.

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

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NINE EAGLES - At the call to rotate activities, 10-year-old Kayla Poff walked to the pushup bars with confidence.

'I am so good at these,' she said, grabbing the lowest bar - the more challenging one - and straightening her legs as she eased toward the ground.

Around her, fifth-graders scooted up a rope, vaulted over a bar and crunched and stretched on workout benches. They followed instructions on signs that told them how to perform the exercises and what muscles the moves benefit. After a few minutes, their teacher signaled for them to head to the next station.

Bryant Elementary School introduced 10 fitness stations this school year, a creative way to tackle the state's demand for more physical activity during the school day and deal with a problem of shrinking space.

Bryant's enrollment has surpassed 900 with a building designed for 700. Although it has fields and play areas, portable classrooms and a new wing under construction take up much of the remaining room.

Meanwhile, a new state law mandates elementary children have 150 minutes a week of physical education. The activities don't have to take place entirely in a physical education class - schools are trying anything from half-hour games outside to jumping jacks within the classroom.

Bryant Principal Karen Bass had set aside that time before the law went into effect, designing teacher's schedules so they could take their children to field games or outside playtime three days a week in addition to the twice-weekly physical education classes. She was looking for other opportunities but needed activities that fit in a small area.

No one was using a grassy corner of the property near the front parking lot. Bass considered installing a play structure geared toward Bryant's young grades.

Steve Vanoer, the school district's physical education and health supervisor, suggested exercise equipment.

They looked at options from Miracle Recreation Equipment and selected stations that would work for the youngest and oldest children, fit on the small slice of land and provide exercises that targeted different muscles. The equipment was installed during summer.

The Parent-Teacher Association covered most of the $12,000 cost, with help from school rental fees.

'It was a perfect spot and worked out well,' Bass said.

Children attend class two times a week with physical education teachers Eric Holden and Jason Silbert, but teachers take their classes to the fitness course at least once a week. Fifth-grade teacher Carrie Giest said it provides a good, intense workout.

They move between stations and rarely stand still, unless they are supervising another child. It's a nice change from less-structured field activities, Giest said, where some children stand to the side and talk instead of participate.

'It really is cool,' Giest said. 'It just keeps them engaged the whole time they're out there.'

Holden and Silbert talked to their classes about fitness, flexibility and muscles at the beginning of the year and helped the children learn the routines. They supervised on a recent morning, shouting encouragement and keeping the students moving.

'Hey, that's a lot of rest time up there,' Holden called to two students lingering at the top of the vertical climb, a large ladderlike structure.

Students spend a few minutes at each station. They adapt the instructions to their ability and can select variations listed as beginner, intermediate or advanced.

'Every time I go around to every station, I try to get an advanced,' Kayla said.

The rope climb is a favorite among the children, though not many have made it to the top.

'When you do it the first time, you can't get up,' said 10-year-old Riya Shah, who added she keeps trying to improve. 'It gives more exercise than walking around school.'

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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