College Phys Ed Ain’t What It Used to Be—It’s Better

College physical education programs and facilities have been known in the past as a refuge for the jocks of the college community, a small subset of the student body destined to go on to teach high school phys ed. The facilities have offered the standard swimming pools, basketball and racquetball courts, and running tracks.

No more. Along with the traditional facilities, athletic facilities at colleges and universities have expanded their offerings to include the most up-to-date cardiovascular equipment, climbing walls, free weights, and even cross-country skiing paths. And while the normal intramural sports are still available, among them soccer, lacrosse, track, basketball, and volleyball, newer recreational activities are also being offered—yoga, dance, Pilates, kickboxing, and more. Athletics itself has become more scientific, with many programs offering courses in sports medicine and using video equipment and computer software to analyze the performance of its athletes. The result is that non-athletes have access to enjoyable recreational activities rather than the "dreaded P.E.," and athletes have exposure to a body of knowledge and techniques that will open new career paths up to them, paths that may lead to a high school or college teaching position or to employment in a commercial gym, spa, or specialized training program.

No, phys ed isn’t what it used to be; it’s infinitely better, and a lot more fun.