Physical Activity Does Not Mean Gym

Author's Note: This is an essay I've written for gym class. These are strictly my opinions however, so feel free to comment.

My school has decided that all students must value physical activity for things like health, challenge, and social interactions. However I believe that too many students are getting physical activity mixed up with physical education class. While I agree with many of them in their opinions on our gym class I must also point out that there are other kinds of physical activity out there.

First on the subject of physical education, or gym. In gym class there is an expectation that students will perform a variety of physical activities. Normally the attitude is as long as the students try that is all that will be expected. However the standards of what exactly is trying are totally up to the teachers and therefore arbitrary. Now how is this fair? A student who is physically un-gifted being judged on the same merits as a student who plays two or three sports? It can be stressful and yes even unhealthy for some people. And this is only pressures from the teachers.

There is also pressures coming from the students in the gym classes. Pressures to do well. But don’t be a try-hard. Pressures to play. But not if you can’t do well. Pressures to be as good as everyone else. Even when you aren’t. These things create a convoluted system of judgement passed down by students upon their peers. And these judgements can hurt. For example it is well known, or quickly established, who are the jocks and losers in a gym class. Then when picking teams the jocks are consistently picked first while the losers are always picked last. How would you feel if you were a loser? It definitely doesn’t encourage these students to do their best. Simply because they are told that they aren’t good enough even to be somewhere in the middle. Being constantly the last picked for a team can ruin a students self esteem. But there is hope.

You see physical activity doesn’t have to mean gym class. Outside of school there are many opportunities for healthy, fun, physical activity. My personal choice is Tae kwon do. You see at Tae kwon do classes there are no teams to be picked, no arbitrary judgements to be passed. You are simply judged by how well you can perform the skills taught to your belt rank. And so I can appreciate it for all the benefits it gives me.

My favorite part of being in Tae kwon do is that it is a challenge for me. There is always something new to learn and master. So I always keep coming back. But not only is it a challenge it is also a good workout and therefore contributes more to keeping me healthy than my gym class. Tae kwon do is not just about skills though. It is also about community. At my Tae kwon do school we are all a family. And so I’ve made some really great friends there. You see I’m not against physical activity in general, just the issues my gym class has.

Overall I do value physical activity for health, challenge, social interaction, ect. I believe that some form of physical activity is a key part in everyone’s lives. Even if they only are taking a walk around the block every once-in-awhile. However I do not believe that gym class is a healthy alternative to physical activity because of the mental health issues it causes in most if not all students.