Our recent Fresh Air Fitness Survey asked SEND professionals the following question, ‘What would help you when planning and/or running lessons for children with SEND?’
The answers to the question were extremely insightful, as follows:
• 40% selected ‘Printable Lesson Planners’
• 60% selected ‘Video Demonstrations’
• 20% selected ‘Access to an App’
• 60% selected ‘Instructions on equipment’
• 60% selected ‘User guide with information for modified exercises’
29th April 2026
Exercise plays a crucial role in supporting children with SEND, contributing not only to physical health but also to confidence, friendships and behaviour management.
However, its impact depends on how well activities are adapted to meet individual needs. SEND professionals in educational settings know from experience that a good structure, simple instructions and the use of visual guidance are really important, especially as many SEND learners process information differently and might struggle with more complex or multi-step tasks.
When exercise is presented in an accessible and engaging way, it can help children better understand their bodies, build resilience and feel more confident taking part.
The responses tell us that sticking closely to each child’s individual needs when it comes to exercise is the most beneficial way for them to engage. Customising an approach to exercise for SEN children can help them to feel motivated and listened to, encouraging them to have a healthy relationship with exercise, rather than be put off by it.
The results also demonstrate that supporting literature (digital and printable) supports all SEND teachers in their lesson planning and delivery as a well laid out plan helps them and their pupils who respond better to a predictable structure.
Teaching already involves enough screen time. A printout keeps your focus on students rather than a laptop or tablet. It also removes distractions like notifications or the temptation to multitask.
Printable lesson planners provide a structured framework that allow teachers and therapists to prepare lessons in advance.
For children with SEND, a clear structure for a teacher to follow also helps reduce confusion and anxiety, which further benefits their relationship with exercise.
Video demonstrations are highly valued because many children with SEND are visual or kinaesthetic learners.
Videos allow children to see exercises in action, making it easier to understand proper form, timing, and movement. They also reduce working memory load (students can rewatch and process at their own pace) and increase accessibility for pupils with communication and attention needs.
Fresh Air Fitness has video demonstrations for each piece of workout equipment, making it a great tool for educational settings.
Teacher apps are helpful in terms of planning, delivery, and assessment.
While fewer responses in our survey prioritised apps, digital tools still play a crucial role.
Apps can allow for personalised pacing, letting children repeat instructions or visual demonstrations as often as needed, which aligns with SEND learners’ need for reinforcement and repetition.
Clear instructions on how to use the equipment are vital for safety but are also crucial for SEND children who require simple yet concise instructions.
Instructions on equipment supports teaching staff who can combine these with a verbal prompt where required.
It may also be helpful for children who like to use their own initiative, as they won’t need to ask for help on how to use the equipment if a labelled ‘How-to’ is provided.
Guides that include relevant adaptions means that no child will feel left out. From a teacher’s perspective, user guides with clear modifications are useful because they make differentiation easier to plan and deliver in a consistent way.
Modification options save time by providing ready-made adaptations for different ability levels, reducing the need to create separate resources for individual pupils.
In addition, they help to ensure that inclusion is embedded in lessons, making it easier for teachers to meet SEND needs confidently and safely while maintaining the pace of the outdoor exercise session.
Alongside the standard responses we also received valuable insights that deepen our understanding of the end user.
Respondents shared other considerations with us such as taking into account a wide range of physical and cognitive needs, from hypermobility and fatigue to visual impairments and coordination challenges.
There was also a strong emphasis on reassurance, with children being supported to anticipate and prepare for exercise, while also being guided in safe post-exercise recovery techniques
Fresh Air Fitness has been designing, manufacturing and installing outdoor gym equipment since 2007. All our products come with a full structural warranty of up to 25 years as well as being ISO 9001 and certified to EN1176 & EN16630 standards.
Our After-Care service ensures that from the initial phone call, all the way to the final day of installation, you’ll be supported throughout. Our team guarantees upgrades and repairs whenever it’s required.
How other SEND schools are using Outdoor Gym Equipment
Explore our Case Studies to see how SEND schools, communities and other departments benefit from our outdoor gyms.
Make an Enquiry
If you would like to discuss the benefits of installing an outdoor gym in your SEND school grounds, our experienced team would be delighted to take your call on 01483 366599.
Alternatively, you can complete our online enquiry form.
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