The Presidential Fitness Test is being reinstated for the 2025-2026 year

The Presidential Fitness Test for school aged children was announced by the president, alongside retired NFL player Lawerence Taylor and Linda McMahon, who are in charge of the Department of Education, overseeing schools.

This executive order was first launched by Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, most famous for expanding the Kennedy Era. During the Obama Presidency this executive order was replaced by the Presidential Youth Fitness Program — a more lenient, health-focused, non-comparative model. Now, Trump is bringing back the more individually progressive, life-time habit program to potentially create a more competitive atmosphere for kids.

Exact implementation details are still pending.

What so far has been established is:

• Timed 1 mile endurance

• Sit-ups in 60 seconds

• Push-up or Pull-up to failure

• A sit-and-reach test

Opinions

Critics of this order are divided due to its cookie-cutter approach, expecting all students with different bodies to perform the same. Students may also face anxiety and stress for not being like their peers, which is not good for the learning environment.

Though, many who experienced the program during the Kennedy era support its return, believing it could boost kids’ fitness and combat obesity today.