I hated the Presidential Fitness Test

I hated the Presidential Fitness Test.

The parts I remember most are The Mile and The Pullups.

Every time I tried to run a mile, I almost threw up (from exertion).

And every time I tried a pullup, I almost threw up (from anxiety).  

I remember hanging on the bar and thinking, “I have no idea what muscles I need to move to get me to go upwards.”

Because the test wasn’t about progressing over time or teaching students how to improve.

It was about public shaming and hitting seemingly arbitrary benchmarks.

Accordingly, the Obama administration got rid of the test

The current “administration,” in its attempt to undo any progress this country has ever made on anything, reinstated it last year.

This is a shame.

Forcing every student to do the same exercises and aim for the same targets is not a good way to motivate the average child to embrace physical activity.

For some students, the Presidential Fitness Test is a fantastic motivator. These are the children who love goals and are good enough at the tested activities to not hate them.

But for many, the test is an embarrassing gauntlet that is actually demotivating.

The one time Lianna tried to run the mile for the test she came in last and people laughed at her. She hated that feeling. Instead of trying to become a better runner, she and her friend decided to walk the mile each year. If they weren’t even trying, nobody could make fun of them. This outcome is the exact opposite of what a fitness program should achieve.

At Rozzie Fitness, we try to be the opposite of the Presidential Fitness Test by meeting each member where they are.

If you’re the type of person who loves a fitness challenge, we have those waiting for you.

But if you’re the type of person who hates a fitness challenge (which is probably most people), then we’ll help you progress at your own speed.

No pressure, no opaque standards, no public shaming or comparison.

Many of us are scarred from the way we were introduced to physical activity as children.

At Rozzie Fitness, we want to help you heal your relationship with fitness and experience movement in a positive way.