A Second Shot at Fitness

If being part of the cool crowd was one of the most difficult things you remember from your teenage years, then take another gander: Remember the physical fitness test? You may have been amongst the kids who did not pass and, if so, it was not so sweet, right, dude?

Well, the government is giving you another chance to redeem your reputation by introducing an adult version of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. The test will include several of the exercises in which kids participate each year as they strive for a certificate signed by the president.

The test involves three basic elements: aerobic fitness, muscular strength and flexibility. You must be 18 and older to participate, and in good health. The fitness do-over was inspired by baby boomers who kept asking if there was a fitness test available today that was similar to the ones they took as students.

The aerobic part of the tests will consist of a one-mile walk or 1.5-mile run. But the run is not recommended for those who don't run for at least 20 minutes, three times a week.

Push-ups and half sit-ups make up the strength test; the push-ups are done until you can longer complete a full on and sit-ups are done for one minute.

Finally, a stretching exercise called the "sit-and-reach" will be used to determine flexibility.

Participants will be able to see their scores online. Other information, such as age, gender, height and weight will also be included in the results.

The one catch: You won't get a presidential certificate. But if a little redemption is all you are looking for, the results will show where you rank among people of the same age.

So, pull out your old trainers and earn bragging rights for your next reunion—you’ll be the physically fit hit of the party! [MSNBC]