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Should bodybuilding be made compulsory for students?

Bodybuilding is the process by which individuals develop the muscular shape of their body through resistance (or weight) training and a well-balanced nutrition program. Resistance training is used to isolate individual muscles or muscle groups in an effort to maximize size. The nutrition aspect compliments the resistance training program by supplying the optimal nutrients for muscle development while reducing overall body fat. Bodybuilding, when performed properly, encompasses four of the five health-related fitness components (strength, muscular endurance, body composition and flexibility), which makes it a valuable option to those looking for activities to contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Given the potential benefit that bodybuilding has as a physical activity, a debate has been opened as to the whether it should be a compulsory part of a student's education. To address this issue, it is important to have an understanding of the purpose of physical education and the role it plays in the school setting.

Physical education programs provide students with the knowledge, attitude and ability to lead healthy and active lifestyles. As part of these programs, students are introduced to varieties of physical activity that can lead to such lifestyles. Since individuals have a tendency to continue participation in activities that are of the most interest to them, students should be provided with options to select the activities that appeal to them. Bodybuilding should not be a compulsory part of students' programs as it may dissuade them from pursuing other activities that may provide more appeal.

There exists a wide variety of sports and activities that can enhance the physical well-being of students. Some individuals may find that bodybuilding allows them to maintain a physically active lifestyle in a way they enjoy. If this is the case, these students should have the option to enroll in a bodybuilding course made available to them. In contrast, other individuals are more motivated by participating in team-oriented sports or endurance activities, such as walking or bicycling, and should have the option to participate in those activities.

The school setting provides the opportune environment for students to pursue their interests in a safe and well-supervised manner. If students are allowed to explore the choices that are most appealing to them, they have a higher likelihood of finding enjoyable fitness activities that they may pursue for a lifetime, thus avoid many of the sedentary diseases later in life that have become commonplace in our nation.

While bodybuilding does provide health-related benefits for physical fitness, it is important that students be encouraged to pursue the fitness activities that they find enjoyable. Compulsory bodybuilding, or any other specific physical activity, should not become part of a school's policy.

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