John A. Torres - Surviving Gym Class

CHAPTER ONE
DONT DREAD IT

CHAPTER TWO
ACE IT!

CHAPTER THREE
YOURE NOT ALONE

CHAPTER FOUR
CONQUERING THE LOCKER ROOM

CHAPTER FIVE
DONT KNOW IT? LEARN IT!

T here it is on your schedule. Maybe you should try to get out of it? But then again, it could be an easy A. Or ... it could become a daily humiliation you are forced to endure. What if you don't know anyone? What if you can't keep up or remember the rules of a game?

Throughout this book, we'll take a look at what goes on in a typical gym class and show you how to prepare in advance so that the first day is more comfortable. Things have changed a lot over the years, and the gym class of the past is gone. You will learn about the new trend in PE, how the focus is now on health and well-being instead of fitness tests. We will discuss how getting a good night's rest and eating the proper food in advance of a workout is important. You will even learn how to master a few of the most dreaded gym traditions: the rope climb, the pull-up, and the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) run.

There are things you need to know about navigating the locker room, and we'll share some tips so you can get back to class without the eau de gym attached to youeven without a shower. Even if the dreaded scenario happens and all your friends have a different schedule and you don't know anyone in your gym class, we'll show you how to make new friends. You will learn how to get through the tough pdays, communicate effectively with your gym teacher, and get a good grade. There are a variety of situations that can come up in gym class, and after reading this book, you're going to be prepared to handle them.

You may need to unlearn some bad habits that many people tend to have, like negative self-talk. One of the worst things you can do is put yourself down. Saying things like "I can't do this," "I'm so uncoordinated," or "I'm not athletic at all" will only serve to make these insecure thoughts a realityin your mind and in the minds of those around you. Because if you start gym class with the attitude that you can't or won't be able to succeedthere is a chance you won't.

You will learn that the key to success is centered on simply showing up, dressing out, and trying your very best. Unfortunately, there may be a time when you have to deal with a bully, a coach who yells at you in front of everyone, or making a mistake that loses the game. Fear not. We are going to help you deal with these situations and show you how to work through them and get past the tough spots.

OK. Deep breath, you've got thisor you will after reading this book. And surviving gym class is not the only goalhow about actually learning to enjoy it, look forward to it, and conquer it? Don't believe us? Well, we believe in you. You can do this!

L et's begin with the basics. You probably already know this, but let's go over it anyway. The gym itself will typically be a very large, open area with basketball hoops at either end (because it's also usually the same place your school hosts its basketball games). There may be banners on the wall if your school's sports teams have won any awards or recognition. There will probably be bleachers that fold away when gym class is in session. Many gyms also have a separate room where aerobics or other group classes can be held, and there may also be a weight room filled with various weight training equipment like barbells and other items.

While it can vary widely, the flow of a typical gym class is relatively similar at schools across the country. You will probably start out with stretching. A lot of times, this will lead to the dreaded warm-up run. Typically you will be asked to jog around a track outside or around the gym inside. This is usually followed up by the sport you are studying that week. Common sports are soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, flag football, and dodgeball.