When it comes to exercise, some people are joggers, others are yogis, and some shake it in Zumba. But what went down in this 1960s high school gym class makes one of Crossfit’s most difficult maneuvers, the headstand push-up, seem like a walk in the park.
We all have busy lives, and sometimes it’s difficult to squeeze a workout regimen into our schedule, so we have to be creative. Some people, like the trainer in this video, think of inventive, if unconventional, ways of exercising.
But in 1962, La Sierra High School in Carmichael, California figured out a way to make physical fitness an important aspect of their students’ busy school day — and eventually, a vital element in many of their lives.
The program, which was profiled in Look magazine and endorsed by President John F. Kennedy, asked more of their students than is asked of candidates entering the Armed Forces. For instance, rookies of the program had to do a minimum of six pull-ups, while today, a Marine can pass a physical doing only three.
By today’s physical education standards it seems like a lot has unfortunately changed, yet the glory days at La Sierra High School are awe-inspiring…
Please SHARE if remember this moment in time!
Coach Stan LeProtti created the program in 1957.
He had equipment like monkey bars and peg boards custom-built for a high-intensity obstacle course.
Students moved through the program based on a color scale. White shorts were for rookies, and red, blue, purple, and gold shorts were for students with serious skills.
Most boys got to at least red.
Getting to blue was a big deal and gold shorts meant you had some serious strength.
But those who wanted the rare and highly coveted navy blue shorts had to do 34 pull-ups and carry someone on their back for five miles.
Only 19 students in the history of the school ever earned their navy blues.
La Sierra received so much media attention that that by 1962, a health-conscious President Kennedy made an open plea for other schools to get involved.
More than 4,000 schools signed up for the program, which eventually included females as well.
“It was the last great physical education program in the country,” Doug Orchard told mental_floss of the program that ended in 1983 when La Sierra closed its doors.
Doug Orchard is a filmmaker working on a documentary about LeProtti’s efforts along with Ron Jones, a physical fitness historian.
Orchard and Jones are hoping their film — due out in summer 2016 — will help to improve PE programs around the country.
“Kids today are not built like that,” said Orchard. And he’s right. Here is a still we caught from a YouTube video made in a high school gym class today.
“We have a shot of bringing back real physical education,” Orchard said. “These kids were doing things I’ve never seen anyone else do.”
To see more about the program and to compare it today's standards watch the videos below. If you know any young people in high school now, SHARE this with them — do they think they'd be able to take the challenge?
