Click here to watch a video of EXERCISE US 2023
EXERCISE US is a national initiative to raise awareness of ways to prevent childhood obesity. The annual event, which began 15 years ago at Valley View Elementary School in Montville Township, New Jersey, was held on Thursday, September 28 at 8:00 a.m.
As in the past, Valley View’s fifth-grade students arrived to school early in order to kick-off the 10-hour -- coast to coast – and beyond -- wave of exercise. Participation in EXERCISE US occurred in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and many U.S. territories. Other countries have also started to participate in this US-inspired initiative.
For EXERCISE US 2023 fifth grade students Sean Holzmann and Jessica Yeung led thirty-two of their Valley View Elementary School classmates in the sustained 15-minute exercise event.
EXERCISE US was created by Len Saunders when he was a Valley View Physical Education teacher. Saunders retired in December 2022 after 38 years of teaching Phys-Ed in Montville Township Public Schools. A published author, and noted children’s fitness expert, Saunders taught for more than 40 years, and has created two world-wide children’s exercise events; EXERCISE US and PROJECT A.C.E.S.” (All Children Exercise Simultaneously), which “Sports Illustrated” has called, “The World’s Largest Exercise Class.”
Before launching the 2023 EXERCISE US event, current Valley View Physical Education teacher Crystal O’Rourke reminded students of the significance of EXERCISE US.
“Good morning. I’m happy you’re here,” O’Rourke said as she greeted the early risers. “We’re here to raise awareness of childhood obesity. September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in the United States, and a lot of schools, all around the world are doing the same exact thing we are doing – exercising -- for 10 consecutive hours today – each of them for 15 minutes at a clip.”
Holzmann and Yeung began by leading the class in stretching. Once warmed-up, Holzmann and Yeung announced each exercise, and led each exercise for 30 seconds. Students then rested and hydrated for 10 seconds before beginning the next exercise. Each exercise was done for 30 seconds with a 10 second rest.
“Make sure during that rest you take a couple of deep breaths,” O’Rourke reminded the students, “because this might be intense.”
The hallmark of EXERCISE US is that during the program’s 10-hours of participation, continuous physical movement breaks across the nation’s time zones like a wave of exercise. The EXERCISE US experience is shared by tens of thousands of students in hundreds of schools.
In leading up to the September 28 event, O’Rourke prepared the students with lessons about healthy eating and exercise. Students learned the definition of obesity and how to prevent it.
"I am thrilled to know that Valley View is still participating in this wonderful event that brings attention to fighting childhood obesity during September, which is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month," the creator of EXERCISE US, Len Saunders said when he learned that the 2023-2024 Valley View fifth grade class once again showed up early to school to help launch the 15th consecutive year of EXERCISE US.
"EXERCISE US is a very impactful event for the students,” O’Rourke noted. “It is a great experience to raise awareness for childhood obesity. EXERCISE US gives students a chance to be the change they wish to see in the world.”
Valley View Elementary School is located in Montville Township, New Jersey, and is one of five elementary schools in the Montville Township Public Schools district. The district is also home to Robert R. Lazar Middle School and Montville Township High School. The district’s motto is: “Educate. Inspire. Empower.”
Those who would like to register for EXERCISE US 2024, or would like to find out more about childhood exercise, should visit USKidsWorkOut.com. Participation in EXERCISE US is free. All that is required to help raise awareness of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is a commitment to exercise for at least one fifteen-minute slot during EXERCISE US.