Much to the dismay of many students, it’s time for the annual Fitnessgram.  Most students have taken this physical assessment every year since elementary school.

The Fitnessgram may seem like little more than some pointless push-ups, crunches, stretching, and (the dreaded) mile. However, it isn’t a sad attempt to get students into shape in one fitness-minded day..

According to the Fitnessgram site, “The Fitnessgram report defines the recommended range of fitness for each test measure.  When a student’s score falls within the Healthy Fitness zone, it means the child has achieved a level of fitness associated with being healthy.”

While the theory behind the Fitnessgram, to inform the school on the health of its students is well intended, how accurate it actually is in determining fitness is questionable. Many students don’t put very much effort into the Fitnessgram, because they don’t get anything out of it.

“Most students decide to skip that day or just not try at anything, like walking the mile, or only doing one push up,” sophomore Whitney Hyde said.

There is also the question about who should be required to take it. Currently, the entire school is expected to take the Fitnessgram. But many students don’t agree with this policy. Many students in athletics feel that they shouldn’t have to take a test to prove that they can do a few mediocre sit-ups and take a walk around the track, when being active in their sport requires so much more of them on a daily basis.

“I think it should only be for students not participating in athletics, since the rest of us are regularly active,” junior Allie Dillard said.