Four Corners: An Equipment-Free Classroom Circuit

Each corner of the classroom is a bodyweight exercise station, and groups rotate on the signal. It builds muscular endurance and teaches how to set up a circuit in a small space.

How to play

1. Push desks to the middle, make four groups and demo each corner's exercise (5 min).
2. Corner 1 squats, corner 2 wall push-ups, corner 3 plank, corner 4 high knees: 40 seconds on, 20 to switch, two laps (8 min).
3. Active rest walking around the center desks (2 min).
4. Second round: each group swaps its corner's exercise for another that hits the same area and teaches it (8 min).
5. Group debrief on which exercise was hardest and why (2 min).

Rules

• Walk to the next corner, clockwise.
• Quality over quantity: straight back, knees in line.
• Everyone picks their level, no comparing.
• If something hurts, stop and tell the teacher.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: armrest presses, trunk twists and wall pushes.
• Knee injury: replace squats and high knees with core and arm work.
• Students with asthma: use the talk test to manage effort and keep the inhaler handy.

Learning goals

• Build muscular endurance with bodyweight exercises.
• Perform exercises with good form.
• Set up a safe circuit in a small space.

Teacher tip

Before starting, check that each corner has about 2 x 2 meters clear. If desks can't be moved, use the side aisles and the space in front of the board as corners.

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