WLC physical education class helps students become Fit for Life

Published: Sunday, February 7, 2010

For a lot of high school students who don’t regularly participate in sports, the idea of taking a gym class isn’t a pleasant one.

But there’s no way of getting around it at Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative, since the school requires at least two physical education credits for graduation.

However, for the last few years, the school has offered an alternative physical education class called Fit for Life. The class, which is taught by David Finch and Bryce Miller, gives juniors and seniors a chance to greatly improve their physical health in a plethora of ways.

Fit for Life not only focuses on playing sports like in typical gym classes, but combines a rigorous, fun mix of activities such as weightlifting, isometric and isotonic exercises, running, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

While Fit for Life is certainly an intense class, it doesn’t simply hone in on the abilities of athletically gifted students. Instead, it gives all types of students the opportunity to work at their own pace toward an overall healthier, more active lifestyle.

Finch describes Fit for Life as “a very self-disciplined class where students push against their own limits.”

Fit for Life was designed to completely suit the needs of students and provide them with the best exercise experience possible, with the hope that would continue to lead active lives after the class ended. A proper workout environment has been key to this.

Thanks to Randy Dunn, a local business owner, WLC is fully equipped with a weight room containing 14 machines to exercise all parts of the body. In addition, former WLC student Mike Howard, and lifelong ski enthusiast, donated several pairs of cross-country skis, and students from previous Fit for Life classes have contributed to carving a series of paths throughout the woods behind WLC.

Any WLC student who decides to sign up for Fit for Life will be pleasantly surprised not only by the exercise environment in and out of the school, but also by the enthusiasm they gain for physical activity.

Fit for Life is also an excellent class in which to form bonds with fellow students, as well as with the teachers, who are there encouraging students every step of the way.

Finch says “every day is an adventure” and he is “really impressed with how hard the students work.” Any student can gain something from Fit for Life.

Shelby Newsted is a senior at Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School.