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Lesson 1 of 6
  • Year 8

Set up a basic circuit

I can set up and take part in a variety of different exercise stations safely.

Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Set up a basic circuit

I can set up and take part in a variety of different exercise stations safely.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: circuit training requires all equipment to be set up safely in a suitable space.
  2. Move: each station should be completed with good technique, moving on when the set time is complete.
  3. Think: exercise duration and intensity used in circuit training can be adapted to improve different types of fitness.
  4. Feel: self-motivation is required to keep working, even on stations that are not as easy or enjoyable as others.
  5. Connect: working with others on a station helps to increase motivation to push each other to perform at your best.

Keywords

  • Circuit training - a series of exercises or activities completed in a specific order, each followed by a rest period

  • Station - where a specific exercise is performed for a set time or number of repetitions

  • Training programme - structured plans or approaches to exercise designed to improve fitness and achieve specific goals

Common misconception

Pupils think a circuit has to involve exercises in a circle.

A circuit is a series of exercises done a specific order but does not have to be set up like a circle.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Set up a basic circuit, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Create stations dependent on the equipment and space you have available. If you are using weighted movements, ensure that the weights are extremely light and are always supervised by a fully qualified practitioner.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 mat per pupil, 1 x stopwatch per pair, optional: weights 2 per pair (kettlebells / dumbbells), optional: 1 x skipping rope per pair, optional: step up box/ bench.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
How can we stay healthy?

sleep less
Correct answer: do exercise
drink caffeine

Q2.
Which is an example of a type of fitness component?

body fat
running
Correct answer: strength

Q3.
How could you improve your strength?

stretching
Correct answer: weight training
distance running

Q4.
Which type of athlete would need more muscular strength?

jockey
archer
Correct answer: shot put thrower

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
A circuit is performed in a circle.

never
Correct answer: sometimes
always

Q2.
What might happen if you do not use the correct technique?

easier movements
better fitness
Correct answer: injuries

Q3.
What can working with others on a station help to increase?

Correct answer: motivation
fatigue
risk of energy

Q4.
Davie and Sean are working on the same exercise station but Davie is finding it too difficult. What could Davie do to adapt the station?

work for longer
work quicker
Correct answer: work for shorter

Additional material

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