CHARLOTTE WOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL in Danville has taken physical education to a whole new level.

Its Fitness Lab, which opened this school year, is a far cry from the dodgeball and calisthenics many of us remember from our PE days. Instead, there are five bikes, seven rowers, eight Nautilus machines, 36 stability balls and free weights.

It resembles a workout room at a fitness club more than a middle school gym class.

PE classes at Charlotte Wood explore different sports such as Frisbee football and basketball, but they supplement those units with days in the Fitness Lab. There, kids learn why it's important to raise their heart rates and develop muscle strength.

Students move through stations, keeping their heart rates up for 30 minutes as they circulate through aerobic and strength building exercises. They track their progress from week to week, helping them make the connection between exercise and health.

"My main concern is not that kids learn to play a certain sport, but that they learn the connection of sports to fitness," said Scott Mendelssohn, head of the school's physical education department.

"If you don't explain the relevance of running and how it improves heart health, they won't understand why running is important."

Mendelssohn, along with Athletic Director James Corral, worked on making the lab a reality for nine years. Corral had established a similar fitness center when

When Corral arrived at Charlotte Wood, the obstacles to building a similar program were funding and location. The cost of such a center, including equipment and renovations, can be as much as $75,000. Originally, they tried to renovate a storage room, but the cost to install ventilation was too high.

The school went ahead and bought the age-appropriate exercise equipment three years ago when the state actually provided funding for PE and art programs.

"We are happy we acted when we did," said Corral, even though at the time they didn't have a location. Finally, last year, the district's technical lab moved from Charlotte Wood to the district building, and a room became available.

"This was a dream for a long time," said Corral. "It just shows that if you keep hammering away, dreams can come true. This facility provides a new dimension to helping kids 'get it' with regards to life-long fitness."

In the future, the teachers would like to make the center available after school, and add computers so students can chart their progress and use nutritional software.

The idea that one has to be athletic to do well in PE is ancient history. The focus is on health, education and developing fitness habits for life.

"Nothing makes me happier then watching the light turn on in a kid's eyes when they get it," said Mendelssohn. "When they achieve their fastest time in a run and make the connection between their efforts and their progress, it's great. And I get to see them do something better than they ever have before."

Reach Amy Moellering at ajmoellering@comcast.net.