The following are suggested methods by which students can increase their aerobic fitness, muscular strength and flexibility. These methods have been culled through a variety of sources including the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Given the dynamics of differing rates by which children develop, it is not possible to establish best practices specifically by age. Instead, these suggested methods allow for latitude that include children in general or, in some instances, by school level (elementary, middle/junior high, high school).

The idea of training for participation in FITNESSGRAM is not necessarily the same as training for an athletic event (e.g. track meet). However, training can be done to focus on improving elements of fitness addressed in FITNESSGRAM. Level of aerobic fitness, flexibility and upper-body strength are physiological adaptations, and as such require time and effort to accrue. By addressing these areas of fitness in a variety of ways, training can be done in preparing students for FITNESSGRAM.