Post Reports The presidential fitness test: An exercise in humiliation?
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Aug 20, 2025 Gretchen Reynolds, a health columnist for The Washington Post, dives into the controversial reinstatement of the presidential fitness test. She shares vivid, often humorous anecdotes from readers about their past experiences of humiliation tied to the test. The discussion explores its historical roots and questions its effectiveness against childhood obesity today. Additionally, Gretchen emphasizes the need for enjoyment in physical activity, advocating for play as a crucial component of fitness for children.
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Public Humiliation From The Test
- Elahe Izadi and many listeners recall being publicly humiliated by the Presidential Fitness Test in school.
- Those memories persisted for decades and shaped lifelong aversions to exercise for some people.
Origins Were About Military Readiness
- The Presidential Fitness Test began under Eisenhower to compare U.S. kids to Europeans and bolster military readiness.
- It measured athletic performance, not health, and awarded only top performers, so few children qualified.
Benchmarks Were Unrealistically High
- The test required top-tier results across endurance, strength, and flexibility to earn awards.
- That standard meant only about 2–3% of children nationwide received the Presidential Fitness Award.