Grade 10 Students Take Charge of Their Fitness Journey

By Angel Jin, ISB Communications

Published on Thursday, December 5, 2024

Grade 10 students at the International School of Beijing (ISB) have embarked on an engaging project in PE class, exploring how to design, implement, and refine personalized fitness programs to meet their individual health goals. This student-led unit aimed to inspire autonomy and motivation through meaningful physical education, shifting the focus from sport-specific activities to fitness practices that promote lifelong well-being. 

Building Foundations of Fitness Knowledge 

Through this unit, students gained an understanding of the different types of fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. They learned to craft well-rounded fitness plans incorporating key principles of progressive training and exercise science. The unit also explored components of health and skill-related fitness, delving into skill-based components such as power and vertical jump performance. 

“We want students to understand the importance of designing a plan that considers intensity, exercise types, and frequency,” said HS PE Teacher, Amy Ozols. “This knowledge will help them achieve sustainable progress in their training and develop an appreciation for active living.” 

Tracking Progress and Reflecting on Growth 

After creating their plans, students were tasked with tracking their fitness journeys through detailed exercise logs, recording their activities, intensity levels, and progression. Daily reflections helped deepen their understanding of how an active lifestyle contributes to overall health and well-being and also gave students the opportunity to make adjustments to their plans after actual implementation.  

Jessica W, a Grade 10 student, used the unit to enhance her tennis and basketball skills. “I implemented pull ups as part of my upper body strength building. This fitness plan taught me how to target specific areas of fitness while doing activities I enjoy. The autonomy motivates me to stay consistent and improve my physical fitness.” 

“This process makes fitness personal and engaging, for example leg press and leg curls improve my jump height for figure skating and enhance my speed for rugby” shared Alexandra J, another Grade 10 student, involved in rugby at ISB and figure skating. “I chose exercises that focus on cardio endurance and muscular strength because they align with my rugby and skating goals. I can see my key muscles have been strengthened and it has also improved my overall versatility.” 

Julian C, involved in cross country and soccer also shared: "Squats helped me with running and shooting, which are essential for soccer. I worked out before, but now warm-ups and cool-downs have also become a focus of my plan, I found that they prevent fatigue and ensure a balanced workout regime. It’s exciting to see my progress over time.” 

By the end of the unit, which will conclude this week, students will have gathered data showcasing their progress and developed strategies to sustain an active lifestyle. 

Preparing for a Healthy Future 

This fitness unit emphasized goal setting and adaptability, key skills that these students will carry beyond the classroom.  

“This unit is about more than fitness, it’s about helping students find confidence and curiosity in their physical activity choices, so they continue to prioritize well-being throughout their lives," Amy Ozols, HS PE Teacher.

This unit’s focus on meaningful, student-driven physical education is fostering athletes that value fitness and well-being beyond the gym that will prepare these young students for a future of lifelong challenging and joyful learning.  

Using ISB’s resources to create opportunities for our students to be empowered with purpose and compassion is one of three main Strategic Focus Areas for the school. Many of our news articles like this one look at aspects of ISB that are examples of the three Focus Areas in action. To find out more, click here.