Warm-Up Exercises for Raising Energy

There are some days when your students are just not feeling their best. They’re tired, they’re dragging, they’re feeling “off.” So how do you combat these low energy times? Try these 10 warm-up exercises, tips, and ideas to get your students feeling refocused, rejuvenated, and re-energized.

You know your students best, so follow their lead when introducing energy-raising activities. Some students might jump right in, while others may need time to ease into the exercise. This also might change from class to class. Without sounding too woo-woo, let the vibe of the classroom and your instincts lead you.

1. Dance parties are always a great way to raise energy. Have students suggest fun, up-tempo (and school appropriate) songs, and create a playlist from their choices. Then pump the music and get everyone on their feet. For a fun alternative, add puppets to your dance party.

2. Create a go-to warm-up sequence — a simple dance, a series of stretches, any kind of physical movement — to a favourite piece of music. Then whenever you play it, have students stop what they’re doing and do the sequence to the music. You can also do this in the middle of rehearsals if you like, to shake up the energy.

3. Simple physical exercises or calisthenics are always an easy go-to. Try jumping jacks, push-ups, burpees, running in place or around the classroom, step-hop-clap sequences, or anything your students are able to do. Fun fact: Taylor Swift prepared for her Eras tour by singing her entire concert setlist while running on the treadmill. If it’s good enough for Taylor…

4. Try the Thunderstorm Soundscape exercise, in which students use their bodies to imitate the sound and feeling of a thunderstorm. Have them sit in a circle and lead them in a series of movements: hands slowly rubbing together, fingers snapping, thigh slaps, hand claps, fists pounding the floor, stomping their feet, each with increasing intensity and volume. The stomping is the most intense part of the “thunderstorm.” Then, reverse the order of the movements, reducing intensity and volume, as the “storm” goes away.

5. If you have adequate space, play Giants, Elves, Wizards or any version of Tag that you like — Blob Tag, Freeze Tag, there are tons of variations. Have your students come up with different theatrical versions of Tag — what would Musical Theatre Tag or Tech Tag look like?

6. Play a speed round of “Director Says”. Don’t bother trying to get students “out;” just get them moving as quickly as possible.

7. Switch up the atmosphere. If you have a lighting board, turn it on and go wild with colours or patterns during warm-up. Go into the hallway (without disturbing other classes!) or outside for the warm-up.

8. If your school and/or budget allow it, you might want to keep a small basket of healthy snacks in your classroom. A little pick-me-up snack may help students to feel re-energized. Encourage them to bring a water bottle to class as well, and give cues to drink water throughout the class. Sometimes we forget that eating and drinking have a huge effect on our mood and energy!

9. Mental exhaustion is just as tough as physical exhaustion. Raise your students’ spirits by giving the class a compliment or commenting when you notice something they did well. Boost individual students by subtly pulling them aside and letting them know that you’re proud of them, happy to work with them, or that you notice how hard they’ve been working lately. Make sure it’s genuine, because students can smell shenanigans from miles away! But a well-placed comment at just the right time can really make somebody’s day.

10. If your students have a favourite or go-to warm-up activity, let them take the lead on running it. This not only switches up the energy (having a peer run an exercise has a different feeling than having the teacher in charge), it aslo gives students a chance to flex their leadership muscles.

Additional Resources:

Community-Building Warm-Ups
Fun Rehearsal Warm-Ups to Get Everyone Ready
Warm-Up Exercises for Trust Building