KENT − As a half dozen young volunteers demonstrated some physical fitness challenges on Sept. 25, Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel told their classmates in the gymnasium of Stanton Middle School that the object was to improve over time.

“I’m sure that’s what your teachers tell you; every day you have to get better at whatever you do,” he said.

Tressel spoke to different students about the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge during an assembly at the school.

It is an initiative of Tressel, Gov. Mike DeWine and Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, as part of DeWine’s efforts to make Ohioans healthier and help every person live up to their full potential, according to the department’s website.

Students, including those who are home-schooled, use a challenge workbook and select from a menu of activities for physical activity, nutrition and sleep. The students work individually, but schools that wish to also can incorporate activities during the school day.

In the process, students move through three levels, eventually reaching gold.

After the assembly, Tressel said the challenge was designed for students in grades four through eight after input from educators and physical fitness businesses indicated this age range is the “sweet spot.”

“Much younger than that, they’re kind of still wiggly. Older than that, it might not be cool,” said Tressel, who added that it was then decided to “pilot test” it to see how it works at these grade levels.

“We really have seen they have enough maturity to try and figure out what we’re trying to do and have enough confidence to go out and do it,” he said. “It’s fun to see them take it home and get their families involved, get their friends involved. It’s really beyond what I thought it would be.”

Kent City Schools Superintendent Tom Larkin said the district opted to take part at the beginning of the year and decided to focus on seventh and eighth graders because they are “more independent.”

“It’s in its infancy and will progress throughout the year,” Larkin said.

He added that taking part in the challenge fits with the district’s philosophy that education is not just academics.

“We try to teach our kids lifelong healthy habits,” said Larkin.

During the assembly, three boys and three girls demonstrated various exercises, and State Rep. Bill Roemer, R-31, joined in, doing push ups and even performing a yoga pose. Meanwhile, the audience counted off the number of reps for the exercises or how long poses or stretches were held. Roemer did 10 pushups.

Tressel told the students there are activities for those who are active and those who aren’t, as well as for those with disabilities.

“We ask that you set goals and then challenge yourselves to be better each time,” he said.

Tressel said activities also can help with nutrition and getting healthy sleep.

“Maybe a little less of those sugary drinks and more water. Challenge yourself,” he said.

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

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More information on Tressel’s health challenge

More information on how community partners, teachers and family members can get involved in the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge can be found at tinyurl.com/5cs4jcvr.

The program is on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Videos of demonstrations can be viewed on YouTube at shorturl.at/q0RFY.

Email questions to Team.Tressel@education.ohio.gov.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel brings fitness challenge to Kent school