Bench Bunny Hops for Cartwheels

With hands on a gym bench, students jump their feet from one side to the other like a bunny, putting weight on their arms. It is the classic lead-up to the cartwheel and builds arm strength and the shift of weight from feet to hands.

How to play

1. Set up 6 gym benches with a mat on each side and make groups of 4 students per bench (2 min).
2. Bunny in place: hands on the bench and arms straight, jump feet together from one side of the bench to the other; 5 jumps each, then switch (3 min).
3. Traveling bunny: do the side-to-side jumps while walking the hands along the bench to the end (3 min).
4. Split-feet bunny: feet land one after the other, back foot first then front foot, just like a cartwheel (4 min).
5. Group challenge: how many side-to-side jumps can each student do in 20 seconds with hips high; the others count out loud (3 min).

Rules

• Keep arms straight and hands flat on the bench.
• Only one student on each bench; the next one waits sitting on their side of the mat.
• Land softly with bent knees.
• If your arms get tired, rest sitting down before your next turn.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: practice putting weight on the hands on the bench while shifting the trunk sideways, or slide from sitting on one side of the bench to the other with help.
• Autism: mark hand and foot spots with tape for a clear reference.
• Fitness level: students with less arm strength use a folded mat instead of the bench.

Learning goals

• Shift body weight from the feet to the hands.
• Build arm and shoulder strength in support positions.
• Prepare the entry and landing of the cartwheel.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym benches: 6
• mats: 12

Teacher tip

Many students bend their elbows and rest their head on the bench, so insist on arms as firm as columns. Check that benches sit on a non-slip floor and do not slide.

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