Muscle Map Station Circuit

A station circuit in which, after each exercise, the group decides which muscles worked and colors them on a body outline drawn on butcher paper. It combines building strength and endurance with learning about one's own body.

How to play

1. To start, each group of 4–5 traces a classmate lying on butcher paper (3 min). Each group gets colored markers.
2. Set up 6 stations with task cards: squats, wall or knee push-ups, curl-ups, calf raises, jump rope and "Superman" lying face down.
3. Each group starts at one station and works for 90 seconds, paying attention to where the body "burns" or gets tired.
4. In the next 60 seconds, the group agrees which muscles worked the most and colors them on its outline, writing the name if they know it (quadriceps, calves, abs, chest, glutes, lower back).
5. Rotate to the next station until all 6 are done (15 min).
6. At the end, the teacher shows an answer chart; each group earns a point for every correctly placed muscle and shares which exercise surprised them (5 min).

Rules

• Use good form; the winner is not whoever does the most reps.
• Everyone in the group gives an opinion before coloring.
• Leave the station tidy for the next group.
• Jump rope only with enough space around you so you do not hit anyone.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student does arm or trunk versions and shares which muscles they felt working.
• Shyness: the student can be in charge of coloring and labeling the group's outline.
• Different fitness levels: each station card offers two difficulty levels.

Learning goals

• Identify the main muscle groups used in each exercise.
• Improve strength and endurance with basic bodyweight exercises.
• Reach group agreements based on what each person feels.

Equipment for a class of 25

• butcher paper: 5
• markers: 15
• task cards: 6
• mats: 6
• individual jump ropes: 5

Teacher tip

This lesson links well with science class; ask the classroom teacher for the vocabulary students are learning. Save the outlines and hang them in the gym.

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