Tanner Bowman: Exercising at the LPZoo

(1) What are the TWO most interesting facts / bits of information you’ve come across so far in your research   

for the project (include an image for each one, please).

My project began from the absurd notion of hosting yoga program for Lincoln Park mothers and their children-almost as a joke or a challenge. Now I have begun exploring how to make an almost offensive topic into a reality. I have eliminated the idea that the program would be only for Mothers and Lincoln Park Residents. This way the program keeps fathers, tourists, and all of Chicago's diverse communities in mind. I also decide to change from yoga to just exercise and movement overall. Then I decided that an exercise class was unnecessary and moved on to incorporating an exercise circuit into the zoo's map. The visitor will see the circuit marked out on the map and will be informed to buy the exercise pamphlet at the gift shop. The proceeds from the pamphlet will go to the zoo and should be affordable. The exercisers will follow the instructions on the map and will complete the circuit while engaging with the animals and learning facts about conservation.   

To begin making a exercise circuit I looked at the map of the zoo and the arrangement of the zoo's animals

I decided that the west-middle entrance (by the seals) would be the best spot to start the circuit. Every exercise is outdoor and the circuit goes in a counter clockwise direction. 

(2) What have you accomplished/completed so far in the in the project (background research, source material 

acquisition, a first draft, etc?)

This is the order of the circuit:

1.) Side bend stretch- Seal

Light jog

2.) Sprint-Jaguar

3.) Quad Stretch-Flamingos

Light jog

4.) Knee Raises-Kangaroo

Walk

5.) Hydrate-Camels

Light jog

6.) Jumping Jacks-Outdoor birds

Light jog

7.) Mountain Climbers-Sun bear

8.) Lunges-Giraffes 

9.) Cool Down/Stretch-Rhinos

*Done*

All of the exercises consider the animals movements or behaviors and are easy enough for adults to teach their children. 

(3) What are the components that you need to focus on and complete in the next week? 

I need to Research:

-the exercises 

-the animal's facts. 

-exercise book language

-conservation programs

-Water fountains

-Zoo Rules

-Printing costs

(4) What is a still unresolved part of your project that you would like feedback on?

I would like some opinions on how I could make the program less objectifying of the animals and more engaging and feeling connected to them. 

Also if you can think of any exercises that would work well with the outdoor animals that I havent though of, I would like to know. (I am purposely skipping the apes and monkeys because I feel exercising in front of the would be especially unethical). 

Catchy title for the program that engages both adults and children?

Any constructive feedback would be much appreciated.

Also I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I did

THATS THE SPIRIT!