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Are You Up For A Challenge?

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By AMY ELLINOR, Tribune Correspondent

Published: January 31, 2008

When I think back to my old gym class, I realize it was a mixed bag. I have fond memories of playing kickball and learning how to square dance. (Yes, learning how to do-si-do was part of the state of Pennsylvania's physical education program.) On the other hand, dodgeball was never really high on my list.

But my true nemesis was the flex arm hang.

The flex arm hang was part of a biannual fitness assessment. You had to hang in a pull-up-like position while the gym teacher held a stopwatch on you. The longer you could hang there, the better. And there were always a few kids who seemed to hang there forever.

I never made it for a second.

The worst part about the flex arm hang was waiting for my turn. I knew disappointment was in my future, and I tried as best I could to harden my heart to it. But every year, the same thing would happen. I'd get a boost up to that bar and I'd think, "This is going to be my year!"

I'd reach forward, only to feel the cold steel bar graze my chin and slip from my fingers before I fell to the mat.

It wasn't all bad, however. After it was over, we were tested on the shuttle run and the sit and reach, which I did fairly well.

Recently my daughter came home with a worksheet from her physical education teacher. There in black and white were her results for the same old tests. I quickly scanned the page for her time on the flex arm hang.

I am proud to say she made it two seconds longer than her mom ever did.

What I didn't realize, back when I was bemoaning these tests as a third–grader, was that I was taking part in a national fitness campaign through the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. .

Over the years, the council's awards program, now called the President's Challenge, has evolved to include all Americans. The Challenge Web site, www.presidentschallenge.org, includes activity logs, fitness ideas and award certificates for any individual or group that participates.

Anyone 6 and older can register on the President's Challenge Web site and keep a log on the site's activity tracker. Corporations, communities, organizations, principals and parents can form groups and challenge others to lead more active lives.

Kids 6 to 17 need to be active for at least 60 minutes a day, five days a week. People 18 and older need to be active for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

This year's Challenge runs from March 20 to May 15. Participants must log their activity for a minimum of six weeks.

Registration is free and must be done between March 1 and April 3.

Everyone who completes six weeks of activity is a winner.

For information, visit www.presidentschallenge.org or www.fitness.gov.

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