Sunday, June 17, 2012

Fitness Challenge Time

Remember, once a year, in elementary school when you would take the "President's Challenge"? Oh, come on, you remember...the shuttle run, sit ups, touch your toes? Then the teacher would tell you how you did compared to the rankings developed by our friends in federal government.

For some reason, I started thinking about it last week and I wondered how would I do if I took that test now. How would you do? The original test called for the following tasks:
  • Shuttle Run
  • Sit-ups
  • Flexibility Test 
Now that we're adults, maybe we should change it up a little bit. I'm pleased to introduce my version of the "Presidents Challenge" (for adults). Here's how I see this working..instead of completing the test and measuring your results against that of others, let's do it as a personal challenge.

  1. Validate that you're in good health
  2. Take the test
  3. Write down your results
  4. Take 3 weeks to train (focus on the areas you were weakest in)
  5. Retake the test 
Sound good? Ok so here it is:









  • Endurance: 1 Mile Walk or Run
  • Upper Body Strength: Push-ups (Do as many as you can in 1 minute)
  • Core Strength: Plank (Hold one plank for as long as you can)
  • Lower Body Strength: Wall Sits (Hold the position as long as you can)
  • Flexibility: (sitting, legs out in front, how far can you reach?)
  • Optional: Agility: Shuttle Run: Establish two points run back and forth as many times as you can in 1 Minute
So what do you think? Up for the challenge? Here's what I'm proposing..

Comment and let me know you're in.

I'll keep track of those that have said they're going to join us.

For the next three weeks, I'll remind and motivate through the blog and twitter using the hashtag #MomsLRBChallenge. I've also included a printable tracking sheet to help you on your way. 
Printable
In three weeks (on 07/09) , we'll pick a winner, at random, of all those that have commented on this post saying they are participating. That person will win an amazing pair of shoes, of their choice from http://takeitrunning.com/

We kicked this off on Fox 2 this morning!  Check it out! How Fit Are You?
Are you ready? let's go!!

22 comments:

  1. I totally remember the Presidential Fitness Test! Especially the flexed arm hang - I hated that one. This is such a great idea. If I were healthy, I would totally join you.

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  2. I SMASHED the presidential fitness test and totally beat all the boys in high school EVERY year! I'm psyched to try it again! Thanks for bringin' it back :-D

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  3. I totally remember the President's Challenge in school! What a great idea! I'm in!

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  4. ahhhh I think I SKIPPED SCHOOL ON THOSE DAYS!!!


    MizFit

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  5. Awesome! Would love for you to tweet your #TrainingTruths as you assess your challenge progress!

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  6. Loved doing the President's Challenge in School! I think I even got some kind of special end of the year award in 4th grade from it. Perfect way to update it for adults!

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  7. great idea for a challenge! i'd be in if i wasn't going on vacation for a week and a half :)

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  8. I'm in. I hated the Prez Challenge in school because I absolutely sucked at running and the flexed-arm hang. That said, I still have the corny certificates with George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton's fake sigs and the patches stowed away somewhere.

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  9. memories...I set the school record (and it stayed for over 10 yrs) for the sit ups in the Pres. Testing! waaaaaaay back in 6th grade!

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  10. This is great! I'm definitely participating. I know my flexibility could use a LOT of work!

    happenstance13@gmail.com

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  11. My school never did a presidential fitness test, so I never got to do one. So you can bet I'll be participating in this one! :)

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  12. Sounds fun! I'm in! I'm seeing a sports medicine doc Thursday, so hopefully he'll approve.

    I don't remember this arm-hang thing. I do remember hanging on a bar, flailing about, because we were supposed to do pull-ups. I didn't successfully complete any.

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  13. Sounds awesome... My core and flexibility need some work!!!! I'm in! :)

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  14. Just did the first test today. Totally kicked my butt! I need to work on my pushups. And not wanting to die after the shuttle run.

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  15. I am in!!!! I remember taking it in school and my kids just took it this year in school.

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  16. I'm in. I need to add something else to my running routine.

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  17. I remember this test in P.E.! Def need to work on the flexibility!

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  18. Oh I'm totally in, I'll give it a try :)

    I've been looking for an excuse to do some strength training!

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  19. Count me in! My husband is in too. Guess our toddler will keep us honest during the testing in case it gets competitive.

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  20. I'm totally in! I used to blow the presidential fitness test out of the water with the exception of...running. I just couldn't do it when I was younger and those were the only things I would score poorly in. Now that I actually run, I probably would have a hard time with the "v-sit" since I have lost a lot of my flexibility over the years. I'll take the challenge and see where I stand!

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