Workout of the Day: Students Program, Brief and Lead It

Each group writes the workout of the day like a whiteboard at a functional training gym: format, times, movement standards and scaling. Two whiteboards are drawn at random, and their authors brief and lead the whole class.

How to play

1. Whiteboard requirements: format (AMRAP, EMOM or for time), 8 min max, three moves with no heavy equipment, a standard for each move, two scaling options and a 90 s briefing (3 min).
2. Groups of 5 write it on a sheet laid out like a whiteboard (8 min).
3. First board drawn: its group copies it onto the whiteboard, briefs, demos the standards and leads while the other groups do the workout (10 min).
4. Second board drawn, same process (10 min).
5. Discussion: which board best met the requirements and what was missing from the briefings (scaling, safety, timing) (4 min).

Rules

• No board can include high-impact moves without a low-impact version.
• Every briefing explains how to scale and what to do if something hurts.
• The leading group doesn't compete: they keep time, watch and coach.
• Boards not drawn are collected and used in later classes.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the required scaling options must include a seated version, and the student can check that it does.
• Dyslexia: the board can use abbreviations and sketches, and another group member copies it onto the big whiteboard.
• Hearing impairment: the briefing comes with the written board and a full demo.

Learning goals

• Program a short workout with a professional structure.
• Communicate standards and scaling clearly.
• Lead a large group safely.

Equipment for a class of 25

• whiteboard: 1
• markers: 3
• sheets of paper: 6
• stopwatch: 1
• cones: 12
• mats: 30

Teacher tip

No whiteboard in the gym? Tape butcher paper to the wall. The usual miss is the movement standard ("how low does the squat go?"): ask before they start.

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