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Body building differs greatly from other forms of exercise as it is hyper-intensive and if not done right could over-strain or injure the child.
If serious bodybuilding is mandated, there are dangers of muscle strain among the students if they lift too much, pull too much or overwork themselves. Compared to ball sports, bodybuilding is a whole other ball game.
As well, from a logistical and legal standpoint, adult supervision for each of the children involved would be quite necessary. Children cannot "spot" other children while lifting weights like how adults can - and imagine the fury if a child injures himself or herself and it is shown that no adult was keeping watch of that particular child.
Logistics also would require much specialized equipment - for each person in the gym class - compared to ball sports.
From a body demand perspective, bodybuilding has certain issues in itself. The nature of bodybuilding pushes the body hard. Some like this, but the ability to push too far without keeping fit on other areas of proper care of the body is a dangerous thing. Rest and recovery is a necessary part of bodybuilding.
Outside of the physical demands of bodybuilding, there are also other issues. Bodybuilding is, in earnest, a monotonous exercise. There is little fun and much commitment to bodybuilding: one needs to be firmly interested in building muscle tone.
Does this translate well with students? Hardly. The average student would be more satisfied with a fun exercise. Only the students who are fully bought in to the image of muscles equaling a superiority among men may enjoy it, largely due to having "top dog" status among their peers and already having those muscles to show off. Other students may actually be hurt by this.
Exercise has a necessity as part of the school day for the development of the children, as does recess. However, this form of exercise in bodybuilding just does not work. I must firmly vote "no" against it.

Learn more about this author, Brett McDonald.
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