Climb and Hang Gym Circuit

A four-station circuit combining wall bar climbing, a commando crawl up an inclined bench, hangs, and a sloth traverse under a tight rope. It builds arm and core strength, grip, and body control in unusual positions.

How to play

1. Set up 4 stations, all with mats: 1, vertical wall bars; 2, a gym bench hooked onto the wall bars as an incline; 3, hanging on the wall bars; 4, a long rope tied between two wall bar sections about 3 feet off the floor.
2. Groups of 6, one per station (split extra students into two turns). Each station lasts 4 minutes with 30-second turns.
3. Station 1: climb to the fifth rung, tap, and climb down. Station 2: pull yourself up the inclined bench lying on your stomach, then slide down seated and under control.
4. Station 3: hang from a high rung with feet on the mat, bend the arms, and hold; stronger students pull their knees to their chest.
5. Station 4: move under the rope holding on like a sloth, hand over hand with legs crossed over the rope; if it's too hard, keep your feet on the floor.
6. Every 4 minutes, whistle and rotate. After all four, 2 minutes of wrist and shoulder stretches as a group.

Rules

• No station is used without mats underneath.
• One student on the incline bench at a time, and come down seated, never standing.
• Climb down the wall bars rung by rung and never jump.
• If your hands get tired, let go near the bottom and rest: nobody holds on until they slip.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: rope pulls from a wheelchair with a rope tied to the wall bars, and assisted hangs with feet supported.
• Autism: post a picture of each station and announce how many rotations are left.
• Lower fitness: reduce height and time, and alternate each turn with 30 seconds of active rest.

Learning goals

• Develop grip, arm, and core strength using body weight.
• Control the body in unusual supports and hangs.
• Set a time or height goal and track progress.

Equipment for a class of 25

• wall bar sections: 6
• gym bench: 1
• mats: 10
• long rope: 1

Teacher tip

Hook the bench onto a low rung and check that it doesn't slide; position yourself at the bench or rope station, since those need the most supervision.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary