Fitness App, Running Club Keeps Hillsborough Students Fit

Hillsborough, NJ -- Students at Amsterdam Elementary School are in tip top shape thanks to new technology and a running club keeping them fit.

Physical Education Teachers Scott Rourke and Brian Caudill made a presentation to the board of education earlier this month about the healthy programs they have implemented at the school.

• Technology and Fitness

Students in grades first through fourth are using technology to stay fit. During phys-ed students use a fitness app called “Daily Workouts Free” on their school tablets.

The app then offers a cardio and strength training options. The school mainly uses the cardio portion, which breaks down each exercise to 45 second to 1 minute intervals.

Students complete 10 different exercises including jumping jacks, mountain climbers, knee ups and more.

“They love having the tablets in their hand, they love using technology,” said Rourke.

Students have even taken what they learned in class aeven further, as many have downloaded the app on a phone or tablet at home.

• Running Club

Now in its fourth year, students continue to love the running club.

The running club is open to all fourth and fifth grade students as an option for recess on every sixth day. During that time the kids will run laps at the gym for 17 minutes.

A total of 38 laps equals one mile.

To gives students incentives, they receive a popsicle stick after every 12th lap to represent a quarter of a mile.

“On average with a class of 17 students, they run between 18 to 20 miles combined during the 17 minutes they are here,” Rourke said.

As an added incentive, Rourke and Caudill have a map of the United States where students can see how far along their class is to crossing the entire county. Each class competes against each other to see who can run the farthest throughout the school year.

“Kids may be involved in sports or activities but they don’t necessarily know what it means to be fit,” Rourke said. “This gives them the opportunity to be fit during the school day and also shows them short and long term benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.”

(Photos provided)