Color Corners Tabata
A Tabata on the move: at the start of each round the teacher calls a color and students travel to that corner to do the exercise on its sign. It builds endurance and strength and trains quick reactions to changing signals.
How to play
- Mark a 65 x 65 ft square with four 20 x 20 ft corner zones outlined by cones of one color each (red, blue, yellow, green) and a sign in each corner (2 min).
- Sign set 1: red squats, blue mountain climbers, yellow plank shoulder taps, green alternating lunges. The whole class starts in the middle.
- On the long whistle, the teacher calls a color: everyone jogs around the outside to that corner and works there until the double whistle (20 seconds total).
- During the 10-second rest, students stay in their corner; the next call starts from wherever they are. One block is 8 rounds (4 min).
- 2-minute recovery: 15-second pulse check while the signs are flipped (set 2: soft jump squats, push-ups, glute bridges, lateral hops).
- Block 2 of 8 rounds (4 min); the teacher may call 'free choice' so each student picks a corner.
Rules
- Travel by jogging around the outside of the square, never through the middle.
- In the corner, find your own open space with 3 ft around you.
- Safety: dry surface and no obstacles; anyone who feels unwell steps out of the square and tells the teacher.
Variations
Easier
Bring the corners closer (40 x 40 ft square) and use easier exercise versions.
Standard
A 65 x 65 ft square, two sign sets, and 8 rounds per block.
Harder
The teacher calls two colors: tag a cone in the first corner before working in the second.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student stays in one corner and does the seated version of whatever exercise is called.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher also holds up a cone of the called color.
- Higher fitness: wear a challenge pinnie and touch the center before heading to each corner.
Learning goals
- Sustain hard effort combining travel and bodyweight exercise.
- React quickly to a signal while staying safe.
- Compare heart rate after blocks of different difficulty.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 16
- cardstock signs: 4
- whistle: 1
Teacher tip
Laminate the signs with an exercise picture on both sides so switching blocks is quick.
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