The New Gym

It's a sunny day, and 9-year-old Liza is on the banks of Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. Today, the first-time sailor will learn how to use a boat. 

This isn't an end-of-summer trip. It's gym class for fourth and fifth graders at Riverside Elementary School. Riverside is one of many schools around the country that have begun adding fun, new activities to gym classes.

In schools like Riverside, gym class is no longer about basketball or gymnastics. Kids can now find activities they'll enjoy so much that they'll stay active for the rest of their lives. The activities include yoga, cycling, martial arts, dance, kickboxing, in-line skating, sailing and kayaking. The goal is to teach children sports they can enjoy outside of school. 

This movement comes in response to studies that show kids are less active than ever before. In July, the government launched its own program to get America's children moving. The campaign, Verb: It's What You Do, shows kids ages 9 to 13 fun ways to get active.