President Trump has signed an executive order to restore the “Presidential Fitness Test” — a physical fitness assessment that was a staple in American schools for decades before being discontinued in 2013.
Appearing with athletes and children at the White House, President Trump stated that bringing back this test aims to promote sportsmanship, health, and competitiveness for the younger generation of Americans.
The traditional test includes:
1-mile run
Crunches (Curl-ups)
Pushups or pull-ups
Flexibility test
According to fitness trainers interviewed by the New York Post, although the program targets students, adults should still maintain basic mobility standards according to their age.
Crunches
Minimum recommended consecutive repetitions:
Age 20: 40–50 reps
Age 30: 30–40 reps
Age 40: 20–30 reps
Age 50: 15–25 reps
Over 60: 10–20 reps
Pushups
Age 20: 15–30 reps
Age 30: 12–25 reps
Age 40: 10–20 reps
Age 50: 8–15 reps
Age 60: 6–12 reps
Age 70: 5–10 reps (knee pushups)
Age 80: 3–7 reps
Age 90: 2–5 reps
Experts say pushup capacity is directly linked to cardiovascular health and longevity. A Harvard study previously showed that middle-aged men who could perform 20 or more pushups had a significantly lower risk of mortality over the following 10 years.
Squats
Reference levels:
Age 20: 50 consecutive squats
Ages 30–40: 50 consecutive squats
Age 50: 40 squats
Age 60: 30 squats
Age 70 and older: 20 squats
Professionals emphasize that squats are the most important exercise for daily living as they are directly related to standing up, sitting down, lifting objects, and maintaining balance as one ages.
