The Presidential Fitness Test

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President Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday to revive the Presidential Fitness Test, a program originally created during the Cold War and phased out by the Obama administration in 2012.

According to White House officials, the order will launch new initiatives in schools that reward “excellence in physical education,” aiming to combat what they call “the widespread epidemic of declining health and physical fitness” among young Americans.

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“President Trump wants future generations to be strong, healthy, and successful,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “He envisions a culture that celebrates strength and active lifestyles for years to come.”

A Brief History Lesson

The Presidential Fitness Test dates back to 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower launched the President’s Council on Youth Fitness after studies showed many American kids lagged behind their European peers in physical strength. The movement gained momentum under President John F. Kennedy, who famously called out “The Soft American” in a 1960 Sports Illustrated article.

Under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the program was formalized with awards for students ranking in the top 15% on fitness tests.

What Did the Test Include?

While the exact exercises shifted over the years, five core activities stayed constant:

• 1-mile run

• Pull-ups or push-ups

• Sit-ups

• Shuttle run

• Sit-and-reach test

Typically, middle and high school students participated, with some elementary and private schools also joining in. Only kids aged 10 to 17 were eligible for the presidential fitness awards.

Why Did It End?

The Obama administration retired the test after the 2012–2013 school year, arguing that competition didn’t encourage lasting healthy habits. Instead, they launched the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, which focuses more on personal fitness goals rather than ranking kids against each other.

The shift also came amid growing awareness of mental health issues. Many students reported feeling humiliated or anxious during the old fitness tests, with some calling the experience “nightmarish.” Critics, including former physical education teachers, said the test unfairly singled out weaker kids and didn’t promote inclusivity or wellness.

The Presidential Fitness Test, a Cold War–era relic once scrapped for promoting competition over wellness, is making a comeback under Trump with a promise to “strengthen” America’s youth—whether today’s students are ready for it or not.