About The Founder

The idea for Cardiokidz was conceived in 2001 whilst teaching at a comprehensive school in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. As an established Head of Physical Education teacher and also a qualified fitness instructor, I was asked by my colleagues from local schools to explain the aerobic jargon in the then new, G.C.S.E syllabi. It was then that I realised that there was a lack of support and guidance for secondary school teachers; hence Cardiokidz (formally Fitkidz) was established.

I first started teaching aerobics fifteen years ago on a camp in America. It was only when I studied the YMCA. Exercise to Music qualification (paid for by my school!), did I realise that I actually knew very little about teaching aerobics. I was so inspired and motivated by the course that I was determined to become a tutor and I started training as an assistant tutor in July 2000. Since then I have also become an assessor of this qualification.

Aerobics is a great activity for improving both cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength and endurance. It is also proving to be a very appealing alternative to outdoor, competitive, physical games for many key stage four girls and it is helping to promote inclusion, particularly for those who are conscious about their body. If performed regularly, aerobics can help towards decreasing some of the many problems associated with obesity. It is also an activity that children can access once they leave school. The aim is to promote a positive attitude towards physical exercise that can be continued into adulthood.

Cardiokidz is a 'fitness support service for schools'.

I have devised a resource pack that will provide you with schemes of work, lesson plans, a personal exercise programme, questions for analysis of performance, a tried and tested routine, a training diary together with general information about the structure and content of an aerobics class including colour photographs of stretching and muscular strength and endurance techniques.

As well as the resource pack, Cardiokidz can provide you with inset courses to meet the demands of teachers at every level. For the novice the 'Learn to teach Aerobics'course does exactly that. It will teach you how to teach aerobics to pupils in a relaxed non-threatening environment. For the more experienced P.E.teacher, the 'Aerobic Workshop'will provide you with lesson plans and routines that will expand your range of choreography.

The Cardiokidz website (new for September 2004) offers you the chance to watch the aerobic moves on-line, re-cap on stretch techniques, enquire about inset courses and order equipment and music.

Cardiokidz has teamed up with Pure Energy, Europe's largest music provider to bring you aerobic music specifically targeted at secondary school pupils. All C.Ds are professionally produced so that the tracks are linked, built up and cooled down appropriately with the beats per minute worked out for you! Music to my ears!

The service offered by Cardiokidz will be greatly enhanced by the contribution of fellow physical education teachers. Please e-mail your comments and suggestions via the contact page. These will be most welcome and I know will prove invaluable.