Let’s Go to the School of Strength

I don’t know about you but these days being a homebody means I’m a whole lot more sedentary than usual. We’ve had some really gorgeous weather days that gave me the opportunity to get out in my yard for a bit of a walk but what about extra blazing hot days? I know the weather sometimes has me ducking indoors again.

But just because we are inside doesn’t mean we have to be couch potatoes, though I sure can rock at being that kind of spud. Anyway, I’m excited to share a FREE resource I discovered though it’s been out for a few months now.

As you know Special Olympics had to cancel it’s worldwide events due to COVID-19 but even before the pandemic hit, they were in production of fitness videos that turned out to be the perfect resource during these difficult times.

The four workout video campaign is called School of Strength and it just launched toward the end of March 2020. There are three different levels of difficulty to meet people where they are and/or grow with them. The levels are called Superstar Trainer, Champion Trainer, and Master Trainer. The videos cover important categories of flexibility, strength, balance, and endurance.

It seems like a fun, engaging way to incorporate fitness routine in the comfort and safety of home. I especially like that it holds more of a peer-led feel since you aren’t alone with an instructor. It’s more like we are doing this together. The peer leaders rotate through the series between six Special Olympics athletes from around the United States of America. Ok, so it’s not exactly like hanging with my peers, I’ve never met anyone who competed in the Olympics! Another cool thing to note is the Special Olympics worked with and featured WWE star, Becky Lynch. She shared the mission of the program as “The goal is for everyone, no matter your fitness level, to benefit from these videos.” The videos do work with and target teens and people in their early twenties but for those of us with a desire to stay fit and are young at heart, I think we’ll fit right in.

The website is easy to use, the videos are crisp, professional and there are even extra credit exercises to click and explore. Don’t miss the downloadable tools like the fitness tracker to note your progress, coach’s playbook, and the caregiver kit. The caregiver kit includes delicious looking recipes for snacks and beverages. They made health tips super accessible throughout the content.

Alicia Bazzano, Chief Health Officer of Special Olympics, stated that “The School of Strength campaign is a fantastic asset that encourages our athletes to not only stretch their fitness goals, but stay committed to their health journeys during these tough times.”