The History—and Revival—of the Presidential Fitness Test
The History—and Revival—of the Presidential Fitness Test
If you grew up dreading the mile run or struggling through a set of sit-ups in gym class, you likely remember the Presidential Fitness Test. This decades-old program was once a rite of passage for millions of American schoolchildren—and now, in 2025, it’s back.
A Look Back: The Origins of the Presidential Fitness Test
The Presidential Fitness Test was officially launched in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson as a response to studies showing American youth were falling behind their international peers in physical fitness. But the roots of the program go back further. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the President’s Council on Youth Fitness to address growing concerns about child health.
The test typically included a 1-mile run, sit-ups, pull-ups (or push-ups), a sit-and-reach stretch, and other performance-based drills. Kids who met national standards could earn a coveted Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
Over time, however, criticism grew. Experts argued that the test focused too much on performance and public comparison, often discouraging students who weren’t naturally athletic. In 2013, during the Obama administration, the test was phased out and replaced with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, which emphasized personal progress and lifelong health over competition.
Trump Brings It Back in 2025
On July 31, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test, calling it “an important step in our mission to make America healthy again.”
“This is a wonderful tradition, and we’re bringing it back,” Trump said at the White House. The test’s return also revives the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, now packed with athletes and sports figures—including pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau, WWE’s Triple H, and NFL veteran Lawrence Taylor.
The test will be administered by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and will follow a similar format to the original: physical challenges designed to benchmark student fitness. A new version of the Presidential Fitness Award is also in the works.
Mixed Reactions From Experts
While some support Trump’s move as a renewed focus on youth wellness, experts stress that a simple test won’t solve childhood obesity or promote real change.
“It’s not just, you get a score and you’re doomed,” said Laura Richardson, a kinesiology professor at the University of Michigan. “The test should be part of a larger plan that actually helps kids improve.”
