Should Athletes Be Allowed To Skip Gym Essay Example

The CDC recommends that teenagers get around 60 minutes of exercise everyday. Many teenagers that are student athletes are already meeting this recommendation, with many exceeding it, at practice or games. Adding gym class on top of that will only overwork student athletes. Why should student athletes be required to take a gym class when they're already getting enough exercise outside of school? Gym class should not be a requirement for student athletes because it can overwork a student, can cause a negative impact on a student athlete’s performance, and will allow time for extra classes and or study hall. 

If student athletes were not required to take gym class, they would be able to either take an extra class or take a study hall. Adam Tharp conducted a study at his high school where he asked students whether or not they find a study hall beneficial. He found that “About ninety percent of students polled in Jefferson-Morgan High School would find a study hall beneficial, for either their grades or their own personal learning experience” (“The Advantages of Study Hall”). Also, according to Grant Shoffstall, an assistant professor in sociology, “If gym wasn’t required for student athletes, they could potentially fit in more classes, or fit in a study hall so they’re not up late at night working on homework. Instead, they could get the healthy amount of sleep to be more focused and prepared for their classes the next day” (“Why do student athletes have to take gym class?”). Having a study hall would allow students to work on homework that they may not have time to do after school. This study hall could take the place of gym class. It could also give student athletes a mental break, which is very important for adolescents and many student athletes don’t have time outside of school for one.    

A student athlete’s performance in their sport is being negatively affected by gym class. In an article written by a student athlete, they stated, “During my sports seasons in the fall and spring, I don’t put in my hardest effort during physical education because I know that if I waste my energy running around playing kickball, soccer, etc., I won’t be able to give my best during my long, intense practices after school” (Athletes VS Physical Education). This student athlete has personally experienced the negative effects gym class has on their performance. Gym class can affect a student's performance in sports, since activities in gym can be a “waste [of] energy.” If student athletes don’t have to take a gym class, this will save their energy for their sports and won’t wear them out. 

Finally, student athletes are being overworked by taking gym class and participating in a sport. As stated previously, The CDC recommends adolescents get about 60 minutes of exercise a day. They also released this chart on how many high school students participated in a sport each year from 2009 to 2019. (“Youth Risk Behavior Survey | CDC”).

About 57% of high school students in the US play a sport, whether it be a school sport or sports outside of school. These students are already getting more than enough exercise, and adding gym class on top of that will wear out these students. Wearing out these students will have a negative impact on physical and mental health, as well as affect their performance in school

Some people may say that allowing student athletes to be excused from gym class is not fair to students who do have to take gym. All students are given the opportunity to participate in sports, whether it be a school sport or club team. Students who don’t participate in a sport may not get enough exercise if they do not take a gym class, and students who do play a sport may be overworked if they do take a gym class. Having students who don’t play sports take gym class is healthy for them, not only physically but mentally, since exercise has so many health benefits.

Student athletes should not be required to take a gym class. Teenagers who are already meeting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise outside of school and have to take a gym class are being overworked, which can be dangerous. If student athletes were allowed to opt-out of gym class, it would allow these students time to rest outside of sports and give them a chance to take a study hall so they can catch up on homework that they may have as much time to complete at home.