Yes

by Lucius Trae

Created on: March 21, 2010   Last Updated: March 24, 2010

Some claim that certain students just don't succeed at physical fitness. In cases where medical reasons are present, this is true. In most cases, the average nerd is perfectly capable of being physically fit. At my school, the most successful students academically were usually physically active. Some weren't, but I'd say they were more physically fit than the average student. Why? It's simply that students with high degrees of intelligence should recognize that physical fitness is beneficial. It increases things like energy and concentration, and that's important for academic success. Thus, regular physical exercise, including bodybuilding, makes sense for students who want to maximize their GPA.

At my high school, I accepted the label "nerd" with pride. However, I also exercised regularly despite having a genetic condition that makes me prone to overheating. I still gave my best effort, played soccer regularly, and was more physically fit than the average student. I still didn't compete with the hockey players at lifting weights, but I could hold my own in soccer and running. In fact, I was one of the fastest runners. Now many nerds will complain of hand eye coordination issues, but these get better with practice, and they aren't needed for weight lifting.

I started lifting weights for basketball, and I worked out at school and at home. My physical education classes tragically stopped before my last two years of high school, but I enrolled in additionally physical education classes by choice. I worked with weights, ran, and improved my health and confidence. My teacher also used positive reinforcement to help some of my obese friends lose weight. I can't sugarcoat it. They had weight problems. Contrary to what some might thing, my friends benefited and enjoyed improving their health; it was all about having a positive environment.. We didn't insult them, we encouraged them and praised them based on effort and how much they improved.

Bodybuilding is important. I walk my dogs regularly and get a decent amount of cardiovascular exercise. In its own way, lifting weights adds strength, energy, etc. It can't simply be substituted for more cardio. Now people might have some gut reactions against compulsory bodybuilding. However, this may be because women are pressured to look a certain way. And frankly, real women are more attractive than models. Having women develop some muscle and upper body strength can improve their self-image and hopefully put society in the right direction when it comes to this stick-thin nonsense that dominates our culture. A healthy women should have muscle. They don't need to be a body builder, but if your legs are a bit bigger than average, that's because you work out. It's normal to be able to lift relatively heavy things without health. Many people, men and women, are unable to do so.

Another problem is implementing a bodybuilding routine in schools. A lot of the responsibility falls on the teachers. I know some of my teachers allowed unfit students to be taunted. This didn't motivate them and, if anything, it made them avoid exercise altogether because of harassment. Furthermore, many teachers don't organize classes for promoting fitness.  If you are playing soccer, the unfit kids will often stand around or walk. They won't get much exercise. If you're going to play soccer and other sports, you need to grade participation and encourage people to work hard. You can even grade other students higher for praising other students and passing the ball. I know this promotes radical values that don't preach letting the weak fall on their face. But in reality, we're all vulnerable at some point, and it's better to have a society that encourages one another. Furthermore, I've seen teachers let students choose not to participate. This is not acceptable when low physical fitness is a national problem.

You don't need to make students look like professional body builders. If a guy works his way up to lifting thirty pound dumbbells, it's not the weight that matters. He might not be comfortable with having too much muscle. Everyone has an aesthetic they like. And frankly, too much muscle adds weight that stresses the heart. More exercise is not "always" better. And women might not want to lift more than a certain amount. It's not the weight that matters. Let people control how much they want to tone their body. However, weight lifting is incredibly beneficial and should be incorporated into the lifestyle of students.

And to all the nerds remembering the tough times they had. I feel for you, but you would've been better off if bodybuilding was in the curriculum. When students play sports, physical contact is allowed. It's often used as a means for bullies to push around nerds. This happened to me. I also got stronger. When the guy who picks on you is suddenly the one on the ground instead of you, he will quickly tell people you are cool to save himself embarrassment. Compulsory bodybuilding would be a huge improvement for the education system.

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