# Could You Pass the Presidential Physical Fitness Test? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863 "2024-02-21T01:51:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/21 "2024-02-21T21:44:41Z")
I’ve never been athletic, but I’ve stayed in decent shape. My long arms hold me back in push-ups and pull-ups, but I can still do them. At my peak I could run a mile in 5 minutes, but at almost 60 I can’t come close to that. We never did the tests; probably the gym teachers didn’t want the jocks to be embarrassed when regular kids with good cardio left them in the dust on the mile run. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/22 "2024-02-21T22:28:55Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > We never did the tests; probably the gym teachers didn’t want the jocks to be embarrassed when regular kids with good cardio left them in the dust on the mile run. I can’t remember any jocks that weren’t at the head of the pack in the mile run. But maybe I missed some because I was at the tail of the pack. I don’t think I ever got down to an 8 minute mile. I still tore up the track for 50 yds. and held my own against top guys in the 100. Living halfway up a mountain gives you strong legs. Even though my legs were short I could start out with explosive power that put me instantly yards ahead. Not good for distance though. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/23 "2024-02-21T22:47:44Z")
Doing a handful of pullups was never a problem for me. I can still do a few in a row, and I’m very out of practice. I should hang my pull-up bar again. By far the “hardest” part was the sit-and-reach. I have never in my life been able to get within 8 inches of touching my toes. The box they use for the test does have a “negative” range, but I was only barely able to touch the near edge at best. No amount of stretching or otherwise has ever changed this. I have relatively long legs and apparently stuff ligaments. Frankly, I think that particular test is idiotic and has nothing to do with athleticism. Having decent upper-body strength has served me well in many real situations. The sit-and-reach test? Not once. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/24 "2024-02-21T23:35:00Z")
I have short legs and horrible form, so it must be mostly my cardiovascular system. If the test included throwing bales of hay I could have aced that part. I lived between two mountains, but I’m naturally full of slow-twitch fibers so I never had the explosive speed. ---
**Author:** ![Kelby2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ebca7d/32.png) [@Kelby2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby2)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/25 "2024-02-21T23:46:30Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > I did it twice in high school, my Sophomre and Junior years. I got a certificate and a patch each time. One of the patches I had my Mother sew on my lettermans jacket. > > At 63 the thing that would kill me is the pull ups. Not happening. I can pass my departments entrance physical and I do so every year just to prove I can. But it does not include pull ups. If it did I’d be toast! I’m with you, but heck I can’t even remember the last time I tried a pull up. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/26 "2024-02-22T02:00:16Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Back then? Today? I sure couldn’t. In case anyone else is curious what passing scores were … > **[Presidentialchallengetest.pdf](https://gilmore.gvsd.us/documents/Info/Forms/Teacher%20Forms/Presidentialchallengetest.pdf)** > > 271.87 KB ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/27 "2024-02-22T02:08:38Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > In case anyone else is curious what passing scores were … I have a suspicion that those percentiles have changed between 1985 and today. Can a _median_ 17-year-old boy really do 8 pull-ups or run a 7:04 mile? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/28 "2024-02-22T02:13:02Z")
Wow. I have no recollection of ever doing this. But I’m sure I could have back in high school. Today? Not a chance. But I’ll still ski the fuck out of a lot of people half my age. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/29 "2024-02-22T03:02:54Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > Yeah, I have _memories_ about that test. Not me. I’m pretty sure I was skipping that day. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/30 "2024-02-22T03:11:35Z")
In my schools the girls were not allowed to do pull-ups, we had to do the flexed arm hang. That was the bane of my existence. It hurt SO MUCH. Like all the tendons were being pulled out of my elbows. Pullups I could do just fine, but that wasn’t allowed, so I never scored at the top. My friends and I spent entire weekends up in trees, so it was just ridiculous. Recently I had tennis elbow, and it felt quite similar. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/31 "2024-02-22T15:19:24Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Sounds vaguely familiar. I’ve never been able to run, even in the military, and hated it with a passion. One of my favorite anecdotes, sort of, Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong was being interviewed by somebody who asked him about his exercise regimen. He said something like “I believe we only only have a finite number of heartbeats, I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste mine running around the block”. They must have caught ole Neil in a rare, unguarded moment. Ordinarily he was careful to be diplomatic. The astronaut office was not amused, and a press release was soon issued where he “clarified” his statement professing his undying enthusiasm for regular and vigorous daily exercise. Small steps, most likely. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/32 "2024-02-22T21:17:08Z")
As far as passing it then and now? The metric for passing was being in the top 15% on all items. So strong enough wasn’t enough by itself, nor was fast or quick or flexible enough. You had to be all of them. I’d be curious if people think they are closer or further to being in the top 15% for age in this country then or now? _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/32))_ ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/33 "2024-02-24T19:41:08Z")
Not huge sample size but what do you make of that fact that of those of this board who responded more feel more fit compared to age matched peers now than when young? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/34 "2024-02-24T20:20:32Z")
My cohort has all gotten fatter, while I haven’t. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/35 "2024-02-24T20:26:41Z")
They all look pretty old, too. I haven’t changed a bit! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2024, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/36 "2024-02-25T01:13:30Z")
“Could You Pass the Presidential Physical Fitness Test?” Sure. Would you send the ketchup back up this way, please? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2024, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/37 "2024-02-26T07:51:25Z")
N=10 is way too small to rule out the possibility that the true ratio is 50:50. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/38 "2024-02-26T17:26:11Z")
A little while ago I tried to do a pull up. I had a pain right where I had back surgery. It’s not a spot that should hurt during a pull up. Not trying that again. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/39 "2024-02-27T01:02:02Z")
If you don’t do stuff like that regularly don’t just jump in. You might be able to work up to it with a lot of stretching and basic exercises over a period of time. Parts you don’t use much don’t react well to sudden exertion. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863/40 "2024-02-27T04:12:22Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > If you don’t do stuff like that regularly don’t just jump in. You might be able to work up to it with a lot of stretching and basic exercises over a period of time. Parts you don’t use much don’t react well to sudden exertion. I go to the gym regularly. Lat pulldowns don’t bother me. Something about pull-ups hit my back wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-pass-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test/997863.md?page=3)