Adults may think of it as working out, but these kids see it as playing. Students in the BRIGHT Afterschool Program, at Big Ridge Elementary flexed their muscles for the camera after completing their weekly exercise program.

These hardworking students participate weekly in 'Tiger Tracks', a walking and fitness program designed to keep kids motivated and moving to promote healthy minds and bodies. Each Friday, students spend ten minutes walking, jogging, or running-- with an occasional dance move or two, followed by a kid friendly exercise class with their friends that keeps students on their feet and establishes healthy fitness habits at a young age, which is proven to help kids to maintain healthy weight, improve their academic performance, and improve their overall mental health.

This school year, the kids were given fitness trackers to monitor their progress at ‘Tiger Tracks’ and have taken over 100,000 steps, which is the equivalent of about 45 miles. Thats like walking from Big Ridge Elementary to the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN! But they’re not stopping there! The students hope to continue their trek across the state, and collect enough steps to make it to Nashville, TN by the end of the school year!

Written by Kelly Irick