Rep Bank: Partners Split the Challenge
Each pair must complete a rep bank of five bodyweight exercises and decide how to split the reps between them. It builds muscular endurance, effort management and cooperation.
How to play
- Present the sheet: 60 squats, 40 incline or knee push-ups, 60 seconds of plank, 40 lunges and 40 glute bridges per pair (3 min).
- Pairs plan who does what and in what order, playing to their strengths (3 min).
- Work: while one exercises, the other counts out loud, checks form and logs reps; they switch whenever they want (10 min).
- Pairs who finish early pick one exercise and add an extra slow-technique block (2 min).
- Reflection: was the split fair and useful? What would you change? (2 min).
Rules
- Only good reps count.
- Split according to ability, without pressuring your partner.
- It is not a race against other pairs.
- Drink water and rest when needed.
Variations
Easier
Half the reps in the bank.
Standard
Full bank in 10 minutes.
Harder
Full bank with one rule: no one does more than 20 in a row.
Adaptations
- Wheelchair users: a bank with adapted trunk and arm exercises using bands.
- Students with a lower-body injury: take push-ups, plank and arm work.
- Students who struggle with numbers: a sheet with boxes to cross off in fives.
Learning goals
- Improve muscular endurance with body weight.
- Manage effort by sharing tasks with a partner.
- Value technique over quantity.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 8
- score sheets: 15
- pencils: 15
Teacher tip
The numbers are a guide: adjust them to your group. The classic problem is one partner doing almost everything to finish faster: have the split written down before starting.
PatioLab has "Rep Bank: Partners Split the Challenge" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Middle School
"Switch!": Talking Defense Against Screens in 3v3
3v3 games where the offense uses ball screens and the defense must decide out loud whether to switch or stay with their player.
1 vs. 1 Channel Duel: Dodge and Score
In narrow channels, an attacker with the ball tries to reach the line without the defender pulling a tag.