You probably did not know it then, but the gym classes you took during your school years influenced the person you became. If you had well-taught stimulating classes in the gymnasium, you learned valuable physical skills, set a pattern for lifelong fitness and grew socially from your experiences. For the same reasons, children still benefit from gym class at school. Physical Exercise Gym classes provide students with physical exercise on a consistent basis. It is particularly important for the physical well-being of children who do not engage in physical activities outside of school. A good physical education class will feature activities that raise the heart rate, increase the pulse rate and rev up metabolism. According to the American Heart Association, gym classes can help teach children skills that can help them be active their whole lives. The physical exertion also helps the mind, as children will find they are able to think more clearly and are able to focus better in other cl