Be Physically Active

Some Useful Guidelines for Structuring Physical Activity

• Start small, and slow. Don’t ask for too much too soon, lest you scare people away.
• Make it fun. Fun is what motivates people to want to participate because fun is contagious and extremely attractive. Having fun should go without saying, but look around, and you’ll notice many un-fun group activities which aim to achieve the same outcome, eg star jumps, running laps, push-ups, etc.
• Always honour people’s choice. One of the most critical elements of playmeo’s philosophical framework – Challenge by Choice – insists that we respect the choice of individuals to choose how far they wish to challenge themselves. This is a powerful concept in and of itself, but it demands that we, as program leaders, create first an environment in which people can make appropriate choices.
• Move frequently from small group to large group activities. The sheer energy that is generated from large groups can provide valuable motivation for some people to give it go. While small group and partner exercises provide a useful safety net for those who prefer to shy away from the spotlight.
• Mix it up. We all have strengths, but no two people are the same. Your program should aim to change the pace and focus on a wide-variety of physical skills and levels of exertion.