RPE Climb Warm-Up

A student leader has to take their group from a perceived exertion of 2 up to 7 out of 10 in 8 minutes, choosing the moves for each step. The group shows how they feel with their fingers, and students learn how to pace the intensity of a warm-up.

How to play

1. Make groups of four and give each group a printed RPE scale from 0 to 10 with simple descriptions: 2 very easy, 4 can talk in full sentences, 6 can talk in short phrases, 7 hard to talk.
2. Each group sets up in a 10-by-10-yard area marked with cones and picks its first leader.
3. The leader runs 2 minutes of easy moves to keep the group at a 2 to 3; at the end they ask, "How hard?" and everyone holds up their number with their fingers.
4. Switch leaders; the next goal is a 4 or 5 for the next 2 minutes, using livelier traveling moves.
5. The third leader aims for a 6 and the fourth for a 7, using short build-ups or jumps; if the group average is too high or too low, the leader adjusts the move.
6. To finish, each group discusses which moves raised effort the most and whether it was hard to hit the target number.

Rules

• Everyone answers honestly based on how they feel, not how a partner feels.
• The leader changes the move if most of the group is above or below the target.
• Never go above a 7 during the warm-up.
• Safety: anyone who feels dizzy or has pain drops to a 2 and tells the teacher.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: steps can be reached with faster or bigger arm moves from a chair.
• Autism: use a scale with colors and faces as well as numbers to make self-rating easier.
• Fitness level: each student reaches their number at their own pace, without comparing.

Learning goals

• Use a perceived exertion scale to judge intensity.
• Pace a warm-up's progression by choosing the right moves.
• Take responsibility for leading and adjusting the group's effort.

Equipment for a class of 25

• printed RPE scales: 6
• cones: 24

Teacher tip

Before starting, practice the scale once with one move at each level so students have reference points. Watch for anyone who always shows very low or very high numbers and check in with them.

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