As children at Bethune Elementary School in Atlanta scurried into PE class Wednesday, their biggest surprise was Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

Clad in brown wool pants and cashmere sweater, Blank was on deck to watch Hopsports in motion, a new video fitness program designed to hook kids into exercise and reverse obesity trends. The percentage of overweight children has tripled in the past three decades, putting them at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other health problems.

Within minutes, Blank grabs a blue resistance band, stretching his arms behind him.

"Like this?" Blank asks 10-year-old Adalis Ball.

"Yep, looks good," says Adalis, unaware she's sweating next to the man who runs a professional football franchise.

Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation provided a $140,000 grant for the program, which helps pay associated costs at five Atlanta public schools.

Hopsports, at hundreds of schools and YMCAs across the country, uses screens and gymnasium walls with movie-sized images of celebrities and fitness experts.

Atlanta Public Schools officials hope to make the program available systemwide.

"The kids were just not in that good of shape," says PE teacher Eric Johnson about the initial group of students. "We would play a lot of games, but they weren't getting a great workout. This has a lot of cardio. And this can hold their attention."

Blank does his best to keep up with the group, but falls behind.

Still, he's upbeat.

"This feels great, doesn't it?" he says to the kids.

"Sure does," says Adalis.

After gym class, the students returned to their room to work on fractions.

Blank returned to his office for back-to-back meetings.

The kids did a good job, Johnson said. But Blank "needs more practice."