Should calisthenics be part of the school curriculum?

Physical education is a crucial part of a child’s school experience, but the amount and quality of PE delivered within schools varies a lot. When some children aren’t even getting the recommended 2 hours a week, what’s the best type of PE to offer?

If you’ve got a school-age child, chances are you’ve thought about how much sport and PE your child is encouraged to do. Maybe you’re a teacher or PE specialist in charge of delivering physical activity within schools. Have you ever considered calisthenics as part of the school curriculum?

Calisthenics is one of the oldest forms of physical training in the world, and describes bodyweight exercises like squats, press ups, planks, pull ups – exercises that use the body’s weight plus gravity to build strength, stamina, and self-confidence.

Calisthenics is enjoying a resurgence of popularity with grown-ups. But are we missing a trick by not offering it to kids as part of the school day?

How much PE do kids get at school?

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that all children and young people should take part in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes every day (for disabled children and young people, the recommendation is 20 minutes of physical activity per day).

UK Government makes available PE and sport premium funding for schools, which should be used to support children to meet or exceed those 60 active minutes (not for core school activities. Schools are legally required to publish their spending report on their websites.

Do children get enough sport and PE at school?

The Department for Education recommends two hours of “high-quality” PE provision per week – but that’s just a recommendation, and not all schools can meet it.  The National Curriculum (the only statutory document) doesn’t state what these two hours should be, nor does it give a set expectation of how to teach it. In short, PE is totally down to the individual school.

Timetabling, staff availability, and school facilities are just some of the factors that can impact provision of PT. By the time children are in secondary school, PE usually has more of a team sport focus, with theory lessons.

The DfE states that “it is important that schools are supporting children and young people to achieve this aim. This is particularly true of primary schools where the foundations of positive and enjoyable participation in regular physical activity are embedded.”

Calisthenics for kids: building a strong foundation

Is calisthenics the perfect type of exercise for school PE? Calisthenics needs minimal equipment and can be done pretty much anywhere. It’s safe, scalable, and fun. And calisthenics develops the kind of functional strength that helps children master their own bodyweight and get stronger for extra-curricular sports.

Calisthenics is a great crossover between strength training (without traditional weightlifting equipment), gymnastics, sport, and functional movement. It can be taught in small groups and turned into fun team challenges. Kids can practice it at home – because it doesn’t need any equipment.

The foundational moves such as push ups, pull ups, and squats are not only effective but also fun, promoting physical literacy from an early age.

Getting children involved in calisthenics can help develop a framework of healthy habits that last a lifetime. As schools look for innovative ways to combat childhood obesity and support those PE recommendations, calisthenics seems a compelling choice.

What are the benefits of kids doing calisthenics?

Improved physical fitness - calisthenics is functional movements that develop strength, flexibility, balance, and co-ordination.

Confidence and self-esteem - mastering calisthenics can be incredibly empowering for children, and every calisthenics movement is scalable for different abilities.

Focus and discipline- calisthenics requires concentration and persistence. Learning to control their body and achieve goals helps children develop focus and patience.

Social interaction and teamwork - group calisthenics sessions can build rapport among students, nurturing life skills like co-operation and empathy.

Is calisthenics good for school-age kids?

Why isn’t calisthenics already an integral part of the school curriculum? Calisthenics is varied, practical, and adaptable. The exercises can be modified for any fitness level, accommodating the diverse capabilities of all children. This inclusivity ensures no one feels left out during physical education classes.

In a world where children are increasingly engaged with screens, calisthenics encourages them to move, hopefully starting a healthier lifestyle that can carry them through adulthood.

Should calisthenics be part of the curriculum?

If schools are only recommended to deliver 120 minutes of PE a week, every minute counts. Calisthenics gives a comprehensive fitness education, helping young people at all key stages get stronger, more active, and more body-confidence. Calisthenics provides a valuable understanding of your own body and what it’s capable of, and is a jumping-off point for other sports and activities. Or it could be the only activity a child does. If that’s the case, we think calisthenics is the most well-rounded option.

Why should calisthenics be offered at schools?

While the advantages are clear, integrating calisthenics in schools needs support. Here’s our argument for calisthenics as a core part of PE provision at all key stages.

Cost-effective – calisthenics requires no equipment at all, and if schools do wish to offer basic equipment (pull up bars, parallettes, gymnastics rings etc) these are cost-effective and durable.

Healthy habits – calisthenics is a functional form of exercise that is inclusive and accessible. Introducing it early could encourage consistent commitment to physical activity.

Tailored learning - schools can tailor calisthenics to meet the varied needs of students at all key stages, whether or not they do other sports.

We think calisthenics is a no-brainer for the school curriculum. What do you think? Are you a parent or teacher? We’d love to know what you think, especially if your child has experience of doing calisthenics in school.