CrossFit pilot program to mix fitness and academics

They’re panting, sweaty and exhausted — they’re ready to learn.

Seven high school students are participating this summer in a pilot program at CrossFit 702, 7520 W. Washington Ave., Suite 180, that combines strength and conditioning training with academics. Three days a week, students work out for about 45 minutes and receive an hour of tutoring from math and English teachers to help them prepare for the SAT.

At the June 27 class, students began by jumping rope and doing squats. Later, they threw 10- to 14-pound medicine balls high against a wall, rotated to more jumping rope and finishing with some stretches.

After some water and a quick break, they honed their reading skills with CrossFit 702 gym member Sara Melvin, an English teacher at Palo Verde High School, 333 S. Pavilion Center Drive. The math classes are taught by Shannon Fincher of West Career and Technical Academy, 11945 W. Charleston Blvd.

The CrossFit portion is taught by Michelle Van Buren, a physical education teacher at Rancho High School, 1900 E. Searles Ave. Van Buren’s classes, Personal Fitness and Wellness, use techniques similar to CrossFit.

“Our kids are obese; they’re not graduating; anything can help,” Van Buren said.

Last school year at Rancho, Van Buren taught six daily classes and about 200 total students.

“They fall in love with it,” she said. “My kids are moving; they’re intrigued all the time; their brains are stimulated.

“(They) just tell me they’re so much more awake after they work out. It just helps you focus a little bit more.”

Van Buren said similar Personal Fitness and Wellness classes will be implemented this upcoming school year at about 10 other high schools.

Students in her early morning classes get the biggest learning benefits, she said. The same principle applies to these summer classes, which run through July 18. The 45 minutes of CrossFit are done before the SAT-prep portion of the class.

“Studies have shown fitness and metabolic conditioning stimulate the mind,” said CrossFit 702 owner Jared Glover.

Glover and Van Buren said they plan to offer a six- to eight-week course for high school students during the school year that would help prepare them for the SAT or proficiency exams.

The seven kids in the class — some of whom are from poor families and received scholarships to cover the $200 cost — said they enjoy having seven students to one teacher.

“I decided to do it because I didn’t do too well on my SAT,” said Samantha Haeick, a 17-year-old senior at West Career and Technical Academy. “I needed help, and it seemed like a good program to work out and learn.

“It helps me concentrate better,” she said of the workout portion. “When you wake up and go to school, you’re tired, and you don’t want to be there. But when you work out, your endorphins get going, and you’re ready to pay attention.”

Arbor View High School junior Malik Starts, 15, is using CrossFit to increase his strength before basketball season. He said he enjoys the workouts, and his mom was supportive because “the math portion will benefit me.”

“After exercising, my brain is more in tune because I’m just calming down, and it’s easier for me to focus on work,” he said.

CrossFit 702 plans to have its schedule of fall high school classes available by the end of July. For more information, visit cf702.com or call 702-462-6212.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 702-224-5524.