School starts up this week for some districts in our region, others started last week – before Labor Day!

For some students, gym classes may include a surprising throwback: The Presidential Fitness Test. 

President Trump reestablished the program over the summer. It had been quietly phased out in 2013 by President Obama, and people are split over the value and impact of this test.

Teachers and fitness experts alike have criticized the test, suggesting it’s not effective in helping students develop healthier lifestyles, and at worst – some argue it encourages bullying and anxiety over body image. 

We wanted to talk with an actual physical education teacher – NOT a gym teacher – about the return of the Presidential Fitness Test.

GUEST: Teri Garrett, a P.E. teacher at Lindbergh High School in Renton, with over 30 years of experience teaching Physical Education, around the Puget Sound. 

RELATED LINKS: 
Fact Sheet: President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and the Reestablishment of the Presidential Fitness Test
Remember running the mile in school? The Presidential Fitness Test is coming back
Can President Trump Run a Mile? | The New Yorker
Trump revives the Presidential Fitness Test alongside professional athletes at White House

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

School starts up this week for some districts in our region, others started last week &ndash; before Labor Day!
For some students, gym classes may include a surprising throwback: The Presidential Fitness Test.&nbsp;
President Trump reestablished the program over the summer. It had been quietly phased out in 2013 by President Obama, and people are split over the value and impact of this test.
Teachers and fitness experts alike have criticized the test, suggesting it&rsquo;s not effective in helping students develop healthier lifestyles, and at worst &ndash; some argue it encourages bullying and anxiety over body image.&nbsp;
We wanted to talk with an actual physical education teacher &ndash; NOT a gym teacher &ndash; about the return of the Presidential Fitness Test.
GUEST: Teri Garrett, a P.E. teacher at Lindbergh High School in Renton, with over 30 years of experience teaching Physical Education, around the Puget Sound.&nbsp;
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reestablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/">Fact Sheet: President&rsquo;s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and the Reestablishment of the Presidential Fitness Test</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/08/01/nx-s1-5489117/trump-presidential-fitness-test-history">Remember running the mile in school? The Presidential Fitness Test is coming back</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/can-president-trump-run-a-mile">Can President Trump Run a Mile? | The New Yorker</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/politics/trump-order-presidential-fitness-test-athletes">Trump revives the Presidential Fitness Test alongside professional athletes at White House</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Renton PE Teacher Teri Garrett gives us her perspective on the Presidential Fitness Test now that it's back in the curriculum thanks to the Trump Administration.

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