MUSHER CIRCUIT TRAINING – Getting Yourself in Top Notch Physical Condition

 

Lesson Summary:  Not only are the dogs in top notch physical condition for Iditarod, the mushers are too.  Mushers need to have upper body strength, lower body strength, core strength, cardio-vascular endurance, flexibility and mental stamina.  Students will create stations for a circuit-training course aimed at helping mushers improve strength, endurance and flexibility.

Procedural Activities:  Understanding the necessity of the mushers being in good physical condition for the Iditarod, students will design exercises for a circuit training activity that would be appropriate for mushers.  Students will be responsible for selecting exercises to enhance upper body strength, lower body strength, core strength, cardio-vascular endurance or flexibility.  Students will create a poster for their chosen exercise that will be placed around the gymnasium to create a circuit training activity.  The posters must include –

  • Name of the exercise
  • Purpose of the exercise
  • Picture or diagram of the exercise
  • Brief instructions for the exercise
  • Number of repetitions
  • Necessary equipment

Determine the number of exercises to be used on any given day for the circuit training activity.  Place the posters on the wall of the gymnasium stations.  Students are responsible for placing the necessary equipment (mats, hand held weights, core balls, etc.) at their station.  This activity can be used for a number of days so that everybody’s exercise is included in the circuit and everybody has the responsibility of preparing the station.  Students should pair up to travel the circuit.  Allow 2 minutes for each station and about a minute to travel to the next station.  Play music during the circuit.  When the music stops, the students move to a new station.  Roll either a single die or a pair of dice to determine how many stations the students advance.

View the Lesson Plan Here!