St. Louis High School, a small school in Michigan, has built a PE program that engages and motivates students through fitness and accountability.
Led by PE teacher Andrew Wawersik, the school offers Strategies for Life Fitness, a class that blends strength training with essential health and wellness education. Over 100 students participate across five sections, making it one of the most popular courses in the school.
“We wanted to create a structured program where students could see their progress and take ownership of their fitness,” Andrew explained. “With the right tools, we’ve built something that connects with kids and helps them improve.”
This approach has transformed physical education at St. Louis. Students now track their progress, receive real-time feedback, and develop lifelong fitness habits. By combining structured strength training with classroom-based wellness education, the program sets students up for long-term success.
Transforming St. Louis High School’s PE Approach
Before Andrew arrived, PE at St. Louis High School looked much like it did at many schools—centered around games and activities. While this “roll out the ball” approach kept students active, it lacked structure or accountability. There was a weight training class, but participation was low, and there wasn’t a clear program in place to guide students toward progress.
“There wasn’t a lot of accountability,” Andrew recalled. “Students would show up, play games, and not take it seriously. Even in the weight room, there wasn’t much structure.”
Andrew saw an opportunity to create a program that would benefit all students—athletes and non-athletes alike. He aimed to shift PE from unstructured activity to a meaningful program that helped students develop lifelong fitness and health skills.
Recognizing the need for change, Andrew introduced PLT4M, a digital training and tracking tool, to help students stay accountable. The shift focused on creating a more meaningful PE experience, ensuring students were engaged and making progress.
A Day in Strategies for Life Fitness Class
After working with his principal, Andrew transformed the classes into Strategies for Life Fitness, which rotates days in the weight room with dedicated classroom days on different health topics.
Each day follows a structured plan, running on a four-day lifting split:
- Day 1: Squat
- Day 2: Bench Press
- Day 3: Deadlift & Cleans
- Day 4: Overhead Press
While the program centers around the same core movement patterns, Andrew tailors the workouts to different groups.
For younger students, the focus is on foundational movements at a slower pace. Andrew ensures they understand the proper technique before increasing weights.
“I assume they know nothing at first,” Andrew said. “But for those who have been with me for years, I scale it up and challenge them differently.”
More experienced students follow customized progressions based on their needs. Some work toward personal records, while others refine techniques or address weaknesses.
“It’s great to see the growth,” Andrew said. “You go from students who couldn’t squat an empty bar when they started, and now they’re confidently moving a lot more weight.”
Health & Wellness: More Than Just Lifting
Every week and a half, students transition from the weight room to the classroom for wellness lessons. These sessions cover topics like nutrition, workout design, and overall fitness planning.
“It’s not just about lifting weights,” Andrew noted. “Students need to understand how fitness ties into their overall health. We talk about how to build their own programs and make smart nutrition choices.”
Students learn how to fuel their bodies properly, the science behind strength training, and strategies for lifelong fitness. They also design their fitness plans, applying what they have learned to create personalized workout routines.
“Many students don’t realize how important nutrition is,” Andrew said. “Adding this piece into the semester helps students break it down for them in a simple and practical way.”
This well-rounded approach ensures students gain lifelong skills, not just strength numbers.
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Increasing Accountability with Technology At St. Louis
One of the biggest challenges in high school PE is maintaining accountability. Andrew monitors participation and progress using PLT4M’s activity tab.
“It’s a great tool,” Andrew said. “In 60 seconds, I can check who has logged their workouts and who hasn’t. If a student isn’t keeping up, I can have a conversation right away.”
PLT4M also helps students see their long-term growth.
“I’ll pull up their progress reports and show them: ‘Last year you deadlifted 200, now you’re at 250.’ It’s powerful for them to see how far they’ve come.”
For many students, this tracking system is a game-changer. They can see clear evidence of their progress, which builds motivation and confidence.
Adapting Technology for Different Students
With the addition of technology in PE, Andrew knows that not all students handle it the same way. Some classes use PLT4M on phones, while others work with Chromebooks.
“Some students are great with phones in class; others aren’t ready for that responsibility,” Andrew said. “So I adjust based on the group.”
This flexibility ensures that all students can benefit from technology in a way that supports their learning style.
For students who struggle with self-management and phones, Andrew closely monitors their activity through PLT4M’s live feed. This allows him to intervene when needed, ensuring that all students stay on track.
“I have some classes that can work independently and others that need a little more oversight,” Andrew said. “PLT4M lets me adjust my approach based on the group.”
Building On Success At St. Louis
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