<p>This is hilarious! Freshman year we had the gymsuits–they were knit with a zipper, striped on top, solid on bottom–with straight shorts, not bloomers (mid 70s). Ours were light blue. Soph year they got rid of them and let us wear t-shirts (I wore a “Miller Beer” shirt!) We had to take 3 years of gym, or only two if you joined a vocational program (I did) junior year. </p>
<p>I never really liked gym class, but I wasn’t bad at it. In elementary/middle school we had to climb a rope up to the ceiling. I was a big tree climber, so I was really good at that. Remember “spotting” people on trampoline? Everyone stood around the perimeter with their arms up–like we were supposed to “catch” someone as they fell? (I was terrified when the really big/fat kids were on. . .) We played “bombardment” (dodgeball) in the gym (with those red playground balls and volleyballs) or up against a brick wall outside (more like “firing squad”). I’d pretend to get hit early on and walk out. Square dancing! We did that in elementary/middle school gym class and it was fun. We also learned to dance the Polka for an Oktoberfest we had at our middle school–OMG so awkward to have a sweaty boy put his hand on your waist! In middle school we had contests for everything–I got 3rd place in sit-ups and 1st in 50 yard dash, and sis got 2nd in “flexed arm hang!” We had the President’s Physical Fitness Award–I did everything but throw a ball the required distance. Dad practiced with me in the backyard–to no avail–no award for me 
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<p>“Mr. M.” was the most perverted gym teacher. We did “leg lifts”–he’d say things like, “UP. Spread 'em. Together. Down. UP. Spread 'em. . .Spread 'em SOME MORE. . .” while standing in front of a roomful of middle school girls all lying on their backs. . . He also taught beginning typing. He’d call out the letters to be typed on the old manual typewriters–he’d say, “F, U, C, J, . . .” If a girl asked to go to the bathroom he’d make crude jokes about periods. (I actually wet my pants in 6th grade typing because I was afraid to ask Mr. M. to go to the bathroom!) A few years ago my mom told me that Mr. M. had just retired from the school district–I was so surprised he hadn’t been fired years ago.</p>
<p>In high school we had a choice of activities. I remember doing bowling and jump-rope, gymnastics, and basketball. I bowled a 17 once, but we were graded on knowledge of rules/scoring, not skill.
Best moments–besides my awesome rope climbing skills–teacher saw me sink 2 free throws in HS basketball --YES! got an A in that one.
Worst moments: in middle school I got hit in the face with a softball. I hated softball. I’d keep going to the end of the batting line because I couldn’t hit. I’d stand way in the outfield because I couldn’t catch or throw. In high school I got hit in the mouth with a volleyball–I had braces and it shredded the inside of my lips–that gave the class a nice little break. . .</p>
<p>My kids’ HS only requires one year of PE. They teach about fitness. They don’t play ball sports–they use machines, and they swim, bowl, etc. They get points for showing up, wearing the required t-shirt, and making an effort. It is extremely humane and easy to get an A.</p>
<p>BTW, No one ever took showers at any of my schools. Ever!</p>