Schools across the U.S. might soon join the new "Congressional Fitness Challenge." Even Mike Tyson’s own school is on board. The program is voluntary and gives students a signed certificate if they complete it—signed by congressional leaders and their reps.
“Listen, because we need to be in shape, man,” Tyson told Fox News.
Tyson didn’t hold back. “We can’t physically get into an army because we’re out of shape. And that’s embarrassing. So it comes across we’re the most heavy, heaviest people in the planet. We’re the fattest people in world, Americans,” he said. He cited Department of Defense data showing 77% of young adults need waivers to serve.
“It’s just mental. It’s just a shame, but it can be helped,” Tyson added.
The challenge would apply to K-12 students in public and private schools. It also includes homeschoolers and community events run by Congress members. Participation is optional.
The challenge pulls inspiration from the old Presidential Physical Fitness Test. That’s the one from the 1960s under Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson. Think shuttle runs, sit-ups, and mile runs.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh, who introduced the resolution, tied it to the America First agenda. “Now is the perfect time to be instituting this once again,” he said. “President Trump… wants to make America healthy again.”
The test includes a mile run or walk, pull-ups or arm hangs, sit-and-reach, and more. Students can earn gold, silver, or bronze based on their percentile. Top 85% get gold, top 75% silver, and top 50% bronze.
Tyson sees a future in it. “I think this is going to improve, and people are going to get better, and people want to get healthier. I just believe that,” he said.
His Arizona-based school, Tyson Transformational Technologies Academy, is in. It’s part of a wider network with campuses in Florida and West Virginia. They’re gearing up for the challenge.
“I believe in this country and I believe we’re going to get well and we’re going to be in good condition. And we’re gonna be able to go into the army and defend our country,” Tyson said.
Other athletes are backing it, too. Brett Favre and Antonio Brown both support the resolution. “Love this! So important for our Youth,” Brown wrote on X.
Favre and Hamadeh co-wrote a piece in OutKick. They tied fitness to confidence, leadership, and national prosperity. Favre knows from sports, Hamadeh from military service.
Republican Reps. Tony Wied and Martin Stutzman also signed on. Hamadeh said Americans are paying more attention to their diets now. “The obesity rate has tripled,” he said. “It’s a real problem in terms of a national security perspective.”