Trump to Revive Presidential Fitness Test via Executive Order
In a significant move aimed at promoting youth fitness, President Trump signed an Executive Order on August 1, 2025, to reintroduce the Presidential Fitness Test in American public schools [1]. The decision, announced during a signing ceremony surrounded by several athletes, marks the return of the test after more than a decade of absence.
The Presidential Fitness Test, initially introduced under former President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, has been a familiar tradition for many. The test, as most remember, includes a one-mile run, pull-ups or push-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, and sit-and-reach (according to Harvard Health). However, the specific details of the new test, such as the exact fitness components, scoring criteria, or age groups targeted, have not been explicitly outlined in the announcement [1].
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that President Trump's goal is to ensure future generations are strong, healthy, and successful. DeChambeau, one of the athletes present, expressed his belief that the return of the Presidential Fitness Test could change the lives of children.
The revitalization of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition is also part of this initiative. The council, which was expanded to facilitate the return of the Presidential Fitness Test, aims to promote a culture of strength and excellence among young Americans through bold and innovative fitness goals.
Notably, among the athletes present were Harrison Butker, Bryson DeChambeau, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, and Lawrence Taylor. However, it's important to note that Lawrence Taylor, a registered sex offender, was present at the event.
The Trump administration is also considering a ban on transgender athletes participating in women's sports, although no official announcement has been made on this matter. The Presidential Fitness Test and the broader initiative to encourage physical activity, nutrition, and sports participation among American youth reflect a renewed federal focus on national fitness standards.
Despite the lack of detailed guidelines or a comprehensive framework for the new Presidential Fitness Test, the move is seen as a step towards promoting a healthier and more active nation, particularly among the youth. The exact nature of the test and its implications remain to be seen, but the spirit of the tradition lives on as it returns to American schools.
[1] Source: White House press release, August 1, 2025.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that President Trump's goal is to ensure future generations are strong, healthy, and successful, aligning with his broader initiative that includes the revitalization of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. This council aims to promote a culture of strength and excellence among young Americans through bold and innovative fitness goals, such as the return of the Presidential Fitness Test in American public schools. DeChambeau, one of the athletes present, expressed his belief that the test's return could greatly impact the lives of children, initiating a shift towards health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and sports participation among American youth.
