Currently, kids are not allowed to use the weight room after school. I think this doesn’t make any sense at all. Gym is only on one day of the ABCD schedule, this means that at best, kids only get to go to gym for 2 days out of the week. That’s assuming that it’s a full 5 day week, and that whatever day gym happens to be is the day kids have at the beginning of the week. And that’s assuming that the weight room will be available to use at all during gym. Secondly, even when the weight room is able to be used, there is not much time to use it. In my personal experience, the first 20 minutes of gym is used to take attendance. Then, we spend about 25 minutes outside on the track. Then 5 minutes is spent getting equipment, and explaining what is available to be done during class. That leaves about 40 minutes left to use the weight room. Third and final of all, the current amount of time given to use the weight room is basically useless from a health standpoint. Only using it once a week and for that short amount of time is not going to build muscle at all.

The Pros of the weight room are very beneficial. According to healthline.com, exercise has a multitude of benefits, such as improved health, feeling happier, and most important of all: it builds muscle. (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise) Currently in America, 79% of Americans are considered overweight or obese. Unless we do something about it, this percentage will only continue to rise. Allowing kids to use the weight room after school can prevent this. Another benefit of allowing the weight room is an obvious one: a decrease in bullying. How you may ask? This is because most kids who are bullied are either overweight, skinny, or something else that is because of their physical characteristics. Allowing the weight room to be used will stop this, as it will allow skinny, overweight, or kids being bullied in general to become more physically attractive. This goes beyond just looking good. It is scientifically proven that people who are considered “pretty” or some variation of the word, have a easier time making friends, people are more drawn to talk to them (https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/attractive-people-attract-more-attention-to-their-unique-personality-traits.html) Best of all, if kids are being bullied to the point that they are being physically harmed, them having muscle allows them to fight back if they find themselves in a fight. Considering all the benefits listed here, I think it would be better for everyone if kids were allowed to use the weight room after school.