National Teaching and Learning
Change Programme
Improving teaching and learning in Adult Learning

Video transcript

Karen:

If you are doing press-ups you have got a choice of three positions. Box press-up, hands wider than the mat for each of them if you can. Shoulders above the hands and the hips above the knees. Bend the elbows so you go as close to the floor as possible with the nose, and press back up, don't over-stretch the elbows on the way up, keep them curved. So, down for four counts, up for four counts, making sure the tummy stays nice and tight, don't sit back on to the legs. You need to work the chest and the arms for this one, so keep the weight over the top of the hands. Slightly harder, bring the hands a little bit further forwards, press the hips slightly further forward, again so the shoulders are over the top of the hands, so you do three-quarter press-up, again nose as close to the floor as can. Make sure you have the tummy lifted so you don't have an arch in the back. If you are doing full press-ups, I would probably just do, if you can, two counts, unless you want to do four counts down and up. Tuck the toes and just straighten the legs, down and press back up again. When you have done what you can manage with full press-ups just put your knees back on the floor, and continue with three-quarter.

If you are using a band, take it underneath the shoulders and squeeze the arms straight up to the ceiling. Keep them opposite the shoulders, don't let them come inwards, four counts up and then four counts really control the weight down make sure they don't suddenly twang on the way down.

If you would prefer not to do the three-quarter press-up, but you still would like to make it a little bit harder, you can take the arms wider apart, and then you will probably find that works the chest a little bit more as well. Okay. So choose your position.

Off you go, four counts down, two, three, four, slowly lift two, three so it's nice and slow. Again down, breathe in on the way down. If you need to, stop, if you have done enough, just sit back and stretch the arms out. Stay right forward as you come up. Good.

Voice over:

Did you notice how Karen:

• demonstrated several versions of the same exercise
• pointed out what pitfalls learners should avoid; and
• moved around the group to check on what learners were doing?

Think about how to ensure that all learners are suitably challenged in your own sessions, whatever their physical strengths and limitations. Consider how this would affect your planning and preparations.