HHP Course Offerings

Required Courses


Health 9

Intro to health and wellness, nutrition, substance use, abuse and prevention, relationships, and sexual health.


Health 10

Health behavior goals and decision making, mental health, depression screening, coping with stress, family and social health issues, the study of disease and disorders, emergency care, including CPR, AED, stop the bleed training, and first aid techniques.


Human Performance 9 Fitness For Life

This class has been designed for the student who sees great value in a fitness education program that will focus on more life-long individually based exercises, workouts, and techniques. They will learn the required skills needed to fulfill the national standards as well as many more skills and techniques over and above that.

Students will learn many of the same beginner exercise techniques as in Human Performance 9 / Competitive Sports Performance Fitness. Some of these techniques include but are not limited to, the hip slide, how to perform exercises with a neutral back position, how to perform activities to safely take care of the posterior chain, as well as many other specific training techniques needed for the many exercises students may want to try over a lifetime.

Students will be introduced to most of the leading exercise equipment found in many fitness centers in our towns, universities, homes, etc. The experience in this class will allow them to develop enough confidence, so they do not avoid entering these spaces when looking to stay healthy in the future. To experience all of our different equipment, students will, for example, work in the weight room with light bars or bands, in the wrestling room doing yoga on our mats, on the gym floor with our body bars and step-up boxes, or even in our cardio room using our 8 top of the line row machines or ergo ski machines.

Examples of activities in this course will include basic fitness techniques for bodyweight exercises and exercises done with light kettlebells and dumbbells, resistance bands, lower-weight medicine balls, and light training bars. Students will also have the chance to learn how to take care of their respiratory and cardiovascular systems by learning how to pace themselves during long walks, light jogs, and individual bike workouts. Students may also be introduced to exercises that include a dancing component and workouts led by a special guest instructor.

When students combine our HP 9 courses with all the nutritional information they learn in Health 9 and Health 10, they will be plenty prepared to tackle the challenge of our different “Fit” courses students can take as an elective choice.


Human Performance 9: Sports Performance

This class is designed for the student who is interested in competitive, high-intensity, athletic-based workouts which will follow and fulfill national standards. Students will start slowly with techniques for different movement patterns, such as the hip slide, so that they can lift and exercise safely.

Students will work in the weight room a minimum of two days per week learning how to use kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, lifting racks, squat belt machines, stability balls, slam balls, med balls, reverse hyper/glute ham machines, as well as resistance bands, loop bands, hex bars, curl bars, as well as other types of equipment we will use for many of our workouts.

On days when students are not in the weight room, they will be introduced to many different workouts, for example, either on the gym floor for kettlebell training, in the wrestling room for circuits or tumbling, in the auditorium for stair climbing, or even in the gym hallway to use our 8 “tanks” to develop power. They will also venture outside to use the track for long and short sprinting, the other hills we have for resistance sprints, and the perimeter of our grounds for longer cardio runs. There will be times when classes will be doing high-intensity team competition workouts on the ten airdyne bikes we keep stored in our cardio room.

Students will also be introduced to the Olympic lift called the “clean. When not learning techniques like the clean, they may be introduced to running with bungee cords, parachutes, or wall bungies. There will rarely be a day when kids are not using a new piece of equipment, such as wall balls or slide boards, since our program has been awarded a lot of grant money which has helped us develop an incredible amount of different equipment which will help students become comfortable with almost anything they will need so they have the confidence to walk into almost any facility in the country.

When students combine our HP 9 courses with all the nutritional information they learn in health nine and health 10, they will be plenty prepared to tackle the challenge of our Sparq and Lift courses students can take as elective classes.

This introductory course lays a foundation for a lifetime of physical activity, providing instruction and involvement in cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility exercises, training techniques, and sports. In a typical week, students will exercise with various equipment in the weight room and wrestling room as well as on the gym floor and track. Students will be introduced to Olympic lifting techniques with a strong focus on the power clean, front and back squat, and push press. Students will also learn about age and gender-related differences with resistance training exercises allowing them to understand issues such as overuse injuries in youth, osteoporosis, the benefits of resistance training for youth, and muscle and bone growth. Other topics will be discussed and correlated to Health 9, such as healthy heart training, nutrition, supplements, and illegal substance abuse. 9th-grade students will be introduced to different styles of stretching, such as static, active, ballistic, and dynamic. Pre and post-fitness testing will be done and recorded for each 9th-grade student. Other fitness tests recorded for students include the laser-guided 40-yard dash, Flying 30-speed test, mile run, vertical jump, pushup, core strength test, and pull-up test. Future fitness tests in correlated classes will be done as skill and technique allows in the bench press, hang clean, power clean, back squat, overhead squat, and snatch. If applicable, students will also learn how to use the Polar 600 series heart rate monitor during a variety of different lessons.


Elective Courses

Human Performance 10

Human Performance 10 is a continuation course that extends from the skills, techniques, and knowledge taught in H. P. 9. Students will sharpen their skills at previously learned techniques learned in H. P. 9 while also being introduced to new exercises and lifts. Equipment used includes, but is not limited to, the barbell, dumbbells, and kettlebells.

Students will begin to learn more about assistive and resistant speed training using parachutes, bungee cords, hip sleds, and other equipment. Students will be introduced to a dynamic stretch to help with core development and overall running technique. These essential skills are commonplace in the best athletic programs throughout the country and are supported by NSCA.


Lifetime Individual Fitness Training

On the first day of class, students are divided into sections based on previous enrollment in L.I.F.T. courses. These levels include Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Distinguished.

Beginner students will be introduced to a variety of weight-lifting techniques as well as equipment. Squat stance and the hip slide are two techniques of importance. Those techniques will be required for many different exercises, such as introducing the Romanian deadlift and bent-over row. Students will learn many other skills and strategies using the following equipment: multi-handle sandbags, wrapping sandbags, barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, plates, plyo boxes, step boxes, ropes, pull-up bands, dip bars, hex bars, curl bars, multi racks, glute ham machines, Olympic pads, medicine balls, stability balls, Bosu balls and pull up bars. Other equipment may be introduced as the program is improved. Students will also learn the different clean-related pulling exercises, such as the clean pull, high pulls, and deadlifts. This introductory course will expose students to the variety of equipment they may encounter at different fitness clubs and gyms while at college or moving on later in life. The course will give students the basic knowledge of how to safely and creatively use the equipment to fit their fitness goals. It will give them the confidence to move on to future elective courses built around these basic principles.

Intermediate students further expand their experience in the weight room and take the equipment to new spaces to learn how to use it in new ways. Students will continue to learn more about Olympic lifts, focusing on squatting and pressing exercises and the jerk. Students will also begin to learn how to design an effective training program. Students will continue to be challenged with new techniques for additional resistance training exercises, such as the one-leg RDL and pistols. They will also continue to learn various core exercises, such as sprint cases and rusty scissors.

Advanced is designed to guide the student toward individualized program design. Students will create programs with the following in mind: exercise selection, training frequency, exercise order, training load and repetitions, volume, and rest periods. Programs will include a variety of organizational styles, including single vs. multi-joint exercises and upper and lower body exercises focusing on both the pulling and pushing motion.

Distinguished is designed to develop leaders in the weight room. Students will assist the instructor in program design, exercise instruction and demonstration, safety demonstration and assistance with spotting during specific exercises, and administering and recording clear but not classified student fitness scores.


Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, and Quickness

On the first day of class, students are divided into sections based on previous enrollment in S.P.A.R.Q. courses. These levels include Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Distinguished. S.P.A.R.Q. courses meet zero hour / first hour on an alternating schedule (Mon/Wed or T/Th) and every Friday 1st hour.

Beginner students will begin the semester recording specific fitness scores that will be used for their program designs. They will then be introduced to a dynamic stretch used daily to develop the multi-joint strength necessary for speed development. These exercises include the A skip, ankling, and B run. Students will also be introduced to 3 main elements that focus on proper running mechanics: proper posture, arm action, and leg action. They will do various running exercises throughout the semester that require a variety of work-to-rest ratios and assistive running equipment, such as partner bungee cords, wall-mounted bungee cords, and tear-away cords. Students will also be introduced to resistive running gear such as parachutes and stairs and how this equipment can benefit running speed.

Intermediate is a continuation of the physical development previously built at the beginner level. Students will begin to take a more active role in the group dynamic and static stretching and aid beginner students with technique, spotting, motivation, and working towards individual and group goals.

Advanced is a continuation of the physical development previously built-in beginner and intermediate. Students will develop vocal leadership skills to hold peers accountable during active warm-ups, group organization, and various exercise workouts in the weight room and on the floor. These students will be placed with younger students to help motivate and teach the lessons previously learned in beginner and intermediate.

Distinguished is a continuation of physical development. Students will aid the instructor in developing daily and weekly exercise routines. They will also assist in program organization, equipment set up, and accountability to lead peers in the floor and weight room. Distinguished students will work within small groups to teach the feedback, cues, and tips required for younger students to learn the lifts and techniques associated with daily workouts.


Functional Integrated Training

On the first day of class, students are divided into sections based on previous enrollment in F.I.T. courses. These levels include Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Distinguished.

F.I.T. is a unique class designed for students who want to stay in shape with workouts that will challenge them without the daily running, fitness tests, and use of heart rate monitors. This class will focus on essential body toning, core strength, and some cardio. Students will participate in various types of circuits, participate in core strength exercises, experience the discipline of yoga, and have the opportunity to use the weight room. F.I.T. courses are designed to develop knowledge of a variety of exercises and activities which students can use lifelong to promote positive well-being continually.

Beginner students will be introduced to the basic techniques of various equipment as well as safety techniques. Emphasis will be on training at a level for each student’s fitness level.

Intermediate students will encounter increased effort and proficiency and incorporate relaxation and breathing techniques.

Advanced level builds self-confidence and self-esteem while developing life-long fitness habits and skills.

Distinguished is a continuation of the previous groups of F.I.T. Students will take fitness activities that they can participate in for a lifetime of healthy living.

Competitive/Lifetime Sports

This course will allow students to experience sports in competitive situations and participate in activities that foster a lifelong interest in physical recreation. The class is designed for students who enjoy competing, demonstrating sportsmanship, and learning various team sports and lifetime activities. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in field trips that will introduce them to different activities, such as rock climbing, as well as a trampoline park. There will be more emphasis placed on the game of volleyball and the game of badminton. Students will also have the opportunity to play and learn other court games, such as team handball, speedball, and ultimate frisbee. Games will be competitive, and tournaments will be held for students to challenge each other’s talents. Other racket sports, such as ping pong and tennis, may also be played. Lifetime adventures may include rock climbing, golfing, and bowling. Hastings School District requires one credit for physical education (human performance) and two credits for health.