Give me 5

‘Give me 5’ consists of 5 key exercises designed to increase the children’s heart and breathing rate so that their bodies are ready for exercise and to practise key movements to improve their strength and coordination.

The idea for ‘Give me 5’ came from my experience of martial arts classes: in shodokan aikido back in the UK and in Brazilian jiu-jitsu since I moved to China. At the start of classes in both martial arts, students drill fundamental movements. By practising fundamental movements at the start of every class, students in these martial arts can better apply them when learning new techniques and in competition. They also improve their strength and coordination.

Applying this logic to our PE lessons, we decided up five key exercises for our ‘Give me 5’ warm-up. These exercises practise key movements that are used in almost all the sports and skills we teach.  By practicing these key movements, students will learn new techniques quicker, ensure their skills are more effective and develop their own health and fitness.

The ‘Give me 5’ exercises are described below:

1. Star jumps – this exercise raises the heart and breathing rate and improves coordination.
2. Spiderman lunges – this exercise opens up the hips, legs, lower back and chest, as well as improving flexibility over time.
3. Press ups – this exercise strengthens muscles in the arms, shoulders, chest and core.
4. Mountain climbers – this exercise strengthens muscles in the shoulders and core.
5. Bodyweight squats – this exercise strengths muscles in the legs and buttocks.

Please take a look at the pictures to see BSB Sanlitun students demonstrating their ‘Give me 5’ skills. It has been wonderful to see the improvements that they have made in these exercises after just a few lessons. I am sure they will continue to develop their skills throughout the school year.

Ask your child to show you the ‘Give me 5’ exercises or, even better, ask them to teach you the exercises so that you can do them together!

By Thomas Wood
Head of PE