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      Apply the basic principles of training to your circuit

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can apply the principles of training to my circuit.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: a full circuit training session is completed with good technique and full range of movement at the joints.
      2. Think: progressive overload is incorporated into each station by increasing the reps or decreasing the rest interval.
      3. Think: adaptations occur as a result of regular training, however if training stops, reversibility will occur.
      4. Feel: to keep working when progressive overload has been applied to the circuit requires increased resilience.
      5. Connect: being an effective gym buddy involves supportive feedback on technique and setting targets.

      Keywords

      • Progressive - gradual increase in the intensity or amount of exercise

      • Overload - increasing the level of stress placed upon the body during exercise so fitness gains occur, but without potential for injury

      • Reversibility - losing fitness levels when exercise is stopped (e.g. due to an injury)

      Common misconception

      Pupils think that body adaptations will occur and stay from training only once.

      Body adaptations like stronger muscles or better endurance don’t happen after just one training session. To see improvements, you need to train regularly. If you stop training, your body can start to lose those gains – this is called reversibility.

      Teacher tip

      You may wish to get pupils to use their planned circuit from the previous lesson to add progressive overload to the content, which can then run into further lessons as pupils work through their 6 week plan of circuits, adding more progressive overload each week.

      Equipment

      30+ cones, 10+ mats, 1 stopwatch per pair and other optional sports equipment (depending what you have availble).

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      How are you exercising if you plan and exercise without the help of a teacher?

      with support
      cooperatively
      Correct answer: independently

      Q2.
      How should you always perform movements to prevent injuries?

      fast as possible
      slow as possible
      Correct answer: with correct technique

      Q3.
      Which focus example can Lola use to improve a specific component of fitness

      Correct answer: strength
      hamstring
      passing

      Q4.
      What skill is important to have in a team?

      be bossy
      Correct answer: active listening
      strength

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      How could you apply progressive overload to a squat?

      Correct answer: more difficult version
      do less reps
      decrease the time

      Q2.
      How could you apply progressive overload to a sprint shuttle?

      do less reps
      Correct answer: run with weights
      increase rest time

      Q3.
      What do you need to demonstrate in order to keep working when progressive overload has been applied?

      Correct Answer: resilience

      Q4.
      What happens if you stop training?

      progression
      overload
      Correct answer: reversibility

      To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Apply the basic principles of training to your circuit, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...