Bench Bridge: Swinging the Legs Over on the Way to a Cartwheel

With hands on a gym bench, students swing their legs from one side to the other, lifting the hips higher each time. It is a step toward the cartwheel that builds confidence while upside down.

How to play

1. Set five benches with mats on both sides and check they don't move (3 min).
2. Side hops with hands on the bench and feet together, crossing from side to side (5 min).
3. Same move, lifting the hips above the shoulders with bent legs (5 min).
4. Legs split, one after the other, like a cartwheel over the bench (5 min).
5. Each student tells the group which level they reached and what's next (2 min).

Rules

• Hands spread in the middle of the bench.
• One person on the bench at a time; the rest wait sitting.
• Always land on your feet on the mat.
• If the bench wobbles, stop and tell the teacher.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited leg mobility: pushing up with arms on the bench from sitting.
• Wrist injury: switches to forearms on a crash mat and crosses with bent legs.
• Hesitant students: a partner holds the hips from behind for the first tries.

Learning goals

• Get comfortable upside down with hand support.
• Lift the hips above the shoulders.
• Prepare for the cartwheel.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym benches: 5
• mats: 10

Teacher tip

If a bench rocks, have two students hold the ends. Typical mistake: bent arms; cue "iron arms".

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