There are countless benefits of exercising and working out from a young age. Unfortunately, many schools still don’t see the importance of and need for having gym equipment in schools. This is often because they are faced with so many other costs. The same goes for colleges and universities. Many forward-looking educational institutions now have their own gym within their buildings. However, there is still lots to do when it comes to making the gym equipment accessible.
At school, gym class is a space for exciting, active learning that motivates a child’s mind and body in ways that subjects such as maths, sciences, and social studies can’t. Exercise can improve children’s attitudes and results in school. It also gives them the tools they need to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives as they grow older.
Here we’ll discuss how a fully functional indoor gym can help your students. As well as how we can assist you in making the necessary upgrades.
An indoor gym allows students to exercise regularly
In the UK, weather conditions are often far from ideal most of the year, but especially during the winter months. Having quality indoor gym equipment that allows pupils to exercise regularly no matter the weather outside, will help them to benefit from regular exercise in school.
In the case of university students, finding the time to exercise between classes, exam preparation or assignments can be very challenging. It is not uncommon for many students around this age to stop doing exercise altogether. This, combined with dubious nutrition, can have a negative impact on their mental focus at a time when they need it the most.
An indoor gym at uni can make a huge difference, keeping students motivated and healthy. It can also help them to stay focused when studying – which brings us to our next point.
Exercise improves the students’ focus
Physical exercise and getting kids or teenagers excited about exercising will improve their motivation. Doing regular exercise, in turn, will improve their attitude towards studying, by helping them concentrate better. The reason behind this is that physical activity generates dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which improve concentration, memory and motivation. In fact, exercise can even reduce the symptoms of ADHD.
This is important for everyone. Exercise can help you improve your focus whether you are studying or working. However, when it comes to young people, it is essential to maintain a regular exercise routine that will help them excel at school.
A systematic review published in the journal Translational Sports Medicine found that around 60 minutes of physical exercise can improve cognitive function for up to two hours afterwards. There are also memory improvements that can be seen just after a few minutes of exercise at moderate to high intensity.
Exercise decreases stress levels
Exercise provides a stress-relieving environment for pupils. At the end of the day, gym class should be informative and enjoyable. The stresses of everyday life have become too much for today’s students. Gym class provides a welcome reprieve from a stressful day. It also teaches pupils that physical exercise can help them to relax and unwind.
Exercise improves the students’ self-esteem
Low self-esteem is a common problem amongst teenagers and young students and regular activity may improve a young person’s perception of themselves. They may feel stronger and more powerful, ultimately making them feel more confident about their appearance.
Exercise improves sleep
Sleeping is very important for students. It is only by resting well at night that new neurological connections are formed, and new memories can stay in the brain. Without sleep, trying to memorise and learn new things becomes very difficult.
Physical activity improves grades
According to the Physical Activity Across the Curriculum study (PAAC), physical activity has been found to increase reading, maths and writing abilities. Physical activity sessions are also proven to help students enhance their academic results. Gym equipment in schools and universities is therefore paramount in improving a student’s performance across the rest of the school curriculum.
Physical activity creates beneficial habits
Children learn the fundamentals of having a healthy lifestyle in gym class, as well as the necessity of remaining active. Physical education teaches pupils the skills they need to develop a fitness program that they can continue into adulthood.
Physical activity reduces the risk of disease
Adults who engage in physical activity on most days of the week have a lower chance of dying prematurely from chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and several tumours. Teaching pupils about fitness and the importance of making good lifestyle choices at a young age will help them develop healthy lifelong habits. It will also minimize their risk of developing chronic diseases as they grow older.
Exercise develops friendships
During exercise, counting on schoolmates for assistance or encouragement helps pupils create bonds that they might not have formed otherwise. During a fitness routine, kids must trust one another, and trust leads to the formation of new ties. Students begin to motivate each other to achieve new objectives and encourage one another to improve.
Finding the right gym equipment for your school gym
Quality equipment can encourage a whole lifetime of regular physical activity. However, any physical education teacher requires suitable sports equipment and a safe classroom environment. This is so that they can provide their pupils with the finest educational opportunity possible. For example, it is vital that a school gym has quality rubber gym flooring on any areas that are not going to be used for team sports activities.
Gym equipment for university gyms
The equipment that you want to add to your gym will depend on the age of the students. In a university setting, students will expect to find the same equipment they would see in a commercial gym.
Bumper plates and Olympic barbells, spin bikes, squat racks and weight benches should all be part of the gym.
Ultimately, there are endless benefits to having indoor gym equipment in schools and universities. From decreased stress levels (leading to better mental health), to increased self-esteem and even grades. It is undeniably important to invest time and money into providing students with the correct equipment. With the right gym equipment, it becomes possible for students to exercise safely and regularly.
Â
