Published August 1, 2025 02:32PM
Destinations & Things To Do
The Presidential Fitness Test Is Back. Here’s Our Outdoor-Inspired Version.
This week, President Trump announced that he’s bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test to gym classes across the nation. Here’s what the ‘Outside’ edition would include.
(Photo: Fenno Jacobs/Getty, Abigail Wise)
I was on my fourth and final lap around the track during the mile run for my fifth-grade Presidential Fitness Test when it happened. My stomach gurgled, I stopped abruptly, and I bent over and heaved. I’d already embarrassed myself by lasting for all of five seconds of the flexed arm hang (the girls’ alternative to the boys’ pull-up test—don’t get me started). As I stood there, puking into the grass while my classmates zoomed by me, I cursed the biannual ritual of torture.
Launched in 1958, during the Dwight D. Eisenhower presidency, the Presidential Fitness Test was a response to a study that suggested that American kids were 53 percent less fit than their European peers. To combat this discrepancy, Eisenhower signed an executive order to launch an advisory committee called the President’s Council on Youth Fitness to motivate Americans to lead healthy lives. The Council unveiled the standard Presidential Fitness Test, which originally included a standing long jump and a softball throw, along with some of the more familiar components: pull-ups, a shuttle run, and a longer run. It continued to evolve well into my childhood until it was officially dropped in 2012 when President Barack Obama replaced it with the more holistic FitnessGram.
But on July 31, 2025, the White House issued a press release that announced the return of the Presidential Fitness Test. “President Trump is addressing the widespread epidemic of declining health and physical fitness with a time-tested approach celebrating the exceptionalism of America’s sports and fitness traditions,” the release read.
While it’s not yet clear what kinds of events will appear in Trump’s version, I, for one, am still recovering from the trauma of those days in gym class. But what if the test were made up of activities we actually enjoy? I asked my colleagues what might appear in the Outside Fitness Test.
The Poop in the Backcountry Assessment
With the miles under your belt and a Mountain House freeze-dried meal rumbling in your tummy, your ability to poop in the backcountry solidifies your survival skills. There are many different routes you can take while going on this grand adventure: the squat, the tree hug, or the butt hang. However you’re taking care of business, just make sure you’re adhering to the region’s rules and etiquette by either digging your six-inch-deep hole or packing out your poop.
—Teaghan Skulszki, social media editor, Backpacker and Climbing
The Fix a Flat with an Audience Test
No bike ride with friends or family is complete without the requisite unplanned stop to fix a flat tire. And there’s no test of physical skill and emotional strength quite like having to repair a puncture while your friends and family watch. You are guaranteed to drop your tools, dirty your bike clothes, or suffer a minor injury as you fumble with the quick-release axle and brakes. You will have to calm your bubbling anger when onlookers critique your methods and offer vague and unhelpful advice. You are also likely to pinch your spare tube while using a lever to wedge the tire back into the wheel rim. If you are able to complete the repair in under 20 minutes and avoid chucking a water bottle at one of your friends, you have passed the test.
—Frederick Dreier, articles editor, Outside
The Post-Race Flight of Stairs Evaluation
You gave it your all, and you’ve got the engraved medal around your neck to prove it—along with the post-race soreness that sneakily stiffens your quads and hammies the next day. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, seems simple on the surface: descend a single flight of stairs. But as you tentatively bend your knee, grasping the railing for dear life and wondering if it’s better to just tuck and roll, you just may start to wonder if that free banana was worth it after all.
—Kristen Geil, gear and affiliate director, Outside
The Ski Season Readiness Drill
It’s the first day of ski season. Technically, the 12th, but it hasn’t snowed and you’ve been busy. You’ve got two hours to meet friends for some bluebird groomers, but first: the gauntlet. Can you find all your gear? Base layers? Check. They’re still in the camping tub from summer. Your coat? Still has Aperol Spritz stains from closing day, but it’s accounted for. Bibs? Right where you left them, pocket bacon still intact. But now panic sets in: one glove is MIA, your goggles have vanished, and your favorite buff is nowhere to be found. The clock is ticking. Will you make it to the lift on time, or will you be felled by your own gear closet? This is the true test of ski season fitness.
—Katie Cruickshank VP, partner solutions + client service
The Golden Marshmallow Benchmark
Everyone knows the perfect s’more can only exist with an evenly roasted marshmallow at its center. This is no easy feat! You need to rotate your ‘mallow consistently enough to toast every side, keeping it close enough to the fire to turn its center to goo—but avoiding making it so gooey that it slides off your stick and into the dirt. And if your marshmallow goes up in flames? Consider that a failed test.
—Abigail Wise, brand director, Outside
The Alpine Start
On a day of their choosing, and with no advance notice, your P.E. teacher comes to your house and wakes you up at 3 A.M. Once you open your eyes, the timer starts. Throw on seasonally appropriate clothes, gather the ten essentials and add them to your pack, pound a caffeinated beverage of your choice (shotgunning is acceptable) and get out the door to stop the timer. Manage it in less than 15 minutes for a bronze, less than ten for a silver, and less than five for a gold. If your gym teacher shows up and finds a note on your pillow that says “Sorry I missed you! Got up early to go hiking,” you are now legally part of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition for the rest of their term, whether they like it or not.
—Adam Roy, editor-in-chief, Backpacker
The Rope Coil Challenge
Luckily, there’s no wrong way to coil a rope, except that there totally is. While multiple methods exist, PE instructors across the nation must now test their students in performing a backpack coil of a 60-meter rope, then running one mile with the rope loaded upon their backs. The beauty of the Rope Coil Test—when enhanced with the run component—is that it’s truly a full body exercise. With the potential to engage the muscles used in pull-ups, push-ups, and the sit-and-reach, coiling a rope is truly a vigorous activity demanding the fitness level of a president. After the test, disillusioned students can uncoil the rope and rappel into another country.
—Maya Silver, editor-in-chief, Climbing
The Tree Talking Check
Lots of people have been talking to trees lately; we have Asia Noël, the “Tree Whisperer,” to thank for that. Her videos of her speaking lovingly to her tree, in which its leaves and branches seemingly move or sway in response to her voice in her backyard, have gone viral, and other outdoor lovers have hopped on the bandwagon. To pass this test, you must: 1) Choose a tree, preferably one that looks friendly. 2) Assign the tree a name. If the branches stem wildly from the trunk, you might call her Medusa, for example. 3) Next, come up with five compliments (e.g., I’m grateful that you provide me with shade from the blazing sun.) and speak them aloud to the tree. (If you notice people staring at you and get distracted or embarrassed, you’ll fail and have to start the test over. You’re bonding with nature here, not worrying about what other people think about you!) 4) See if the tree responds to you and write down what you feel as you build a relationship with your tree.*** 5) Take a selfie next to your tree. (***FYI: If the tree doesn’t respond to you, that’s ten points off your overall grade. May the trees be ever in your favor.)
—Ayana Underwood, senior editor, Outside
The Hot Yoga Sweat Test
Complete your favorite flow in steamy temps. Here’s the catch: you must Avoid touching any other sticky classmate or slipping on the sweaty floor during class. Bonus points if you can make it home without dripping all over your car and keep your grip on your phone despite your sweaty hands.
—Taylor Blair, social media manager, Outside
The Bear Bag Simulation
The stakes are high for this, which entails tossing your food bag over a branch. Nail it on the first throw and you’ll feel like a gold medal winner. But failing this test is more than embarrassing. Not only could you lose your food (bad for you and the bear), you could injure a campmate with a poorly aimed toss. You don’t need a Cy Young arm to hang a bear bag, but you’ll want to avoid a few common mistakes. Choose an appropriate branch—it just needs to be out of reach of a bear, not out of your range. You don’t want to explain how you got a throwing injury on a backpacking trip. Make sure the rock is tied securely to your line (didn’t know there’d be a knot test, too?) and don’t wait until after dark. Actually, go ahead and wait until after dark. This is a Presidential Fitness test, make it real.
—Dennis Lewon, director of custom content
…Or the Bear Bag Avoidance Screening
Everyone loves a group backpacking trip—hiking with your friends, playing trail games, setting up camp, swimming in alpine lakes, cozying up for sleep with your book and headlamp. But everyone hates to be the one who has to hang the bear bag. This challenge is all about finding the perfect excuse at the perfect moment—right after dinner, just as the sun goes down. Hear someone mention putting food away? Boom: time to pee. See people drifting toward their tents? You’re already in yours, zipped up and “asleep.” You do not want to be the poor soul left fiddling with a rope, a rock, and a stinky bag in the dark woods. You want to be cozy, cared for, and dreaming of adventures of tomorrow.
—Allie Noland, social media strategist, Outside
Abigail Wise is the brand director at Outside. She’s an editor and digital strategist, who has worked in media for 15 years.
Abby finds it hard to choose between the desert and the mountains, loves every dog she meets, and lives in an adobe house on a veggie farm in northern New Mexico, with three kids, two beehives, and too many pets and plants.
Destinations & Things To Do
Traveling to Turkey? Beware of Hidden Dangers in Popular Outdoor Activities and Water Sports
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Turkey, a top destination for UK families and tourists alike, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm climate. However, while the country offers an array of outdoor and adventure tourism activities, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) urges travelers to be cautious and properly research their planned activities. From water sports to jeep safaris, there are a number of potential risks that travelers need to be aware of to ensure their holiday stays safe and enjoyable.
For UK travelers planning a family vacation or business trip to Turkey, it’s crucial to be aware of the country’s regional risks. The FCDO provides extensive travel guidance and safety recommendations on their official website, helping travelers make informed decisions about their destinations. The FCDO also emphasizes the importance of obtaining adequate travel insurance, which should cover all planned activities and provide coverage for unexpected emergencies.
Safety Risks in Outdoor Activities
Turkey’s diverse landscapes offer some of the best outdoor adventure experiences, including water sports, hiking, and jeep safaris. However, many of these activities come with inherent risks, particularly if proper precautions are not taken. The FCDO advises that travelers ensure their water sports activities are booked through licensed centers. Before engaging in water activities, it is essential to complete the necessary paperwork, request a safety demonstration, and familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures, including how to call for help.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) highlights that an average of 82 UK citizens drown abroad each year, and water sports can be particularly hazardous. Travelers are advised to obey warning signs and flags on beaches and follow lifeguard instructions. These safety measures are crucial in ensuring a safe experience for everyone, particularly when traveling with family. Understanding what each flag color represents and taking the time to read safety notices can make all the difference in preventing accidents.
Jeep Safari and Other Adventure Risks
Jeep safaris are another popular adventure activity in Turkey, but they too come with risks. In 2023, several accidents were reported, prompting the FCDO to issue a warning about the safety of such excursions. Travelers are encouraged to only book jeep safaris with reputable companies that adhere to strict safety and health protocols. Ensuring that the vehicles are equipped with proper safety gear is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Similarly, activities like paragliding and quad biking, which are often popular in the region’s rugged terrain, require careful research and preparation. These extreme sports can be exhilarating, but they can also pose significant safety risks if not conducted with the right equipment and experienced instructors. It is essential for tourists to ensure these activities are covered under their travel insurance before embarking on them.
Travel Insurance and Important Documents
One of the key pieces of advice from the FCDO is the importance of securing comprehensive travel insurance. The policy should cover not only emergency medical expenses but also any adventure activities planned during the trip. Many travelers underestimate the importance of insurance, but it can be vital if accidents occur.
Travelers should also check that their passport meets entry requirements for Turkey. The FCDO advises that travelers ensure their passport has at least 150 days left before it expires upon arrival and contains at least one blank page. It is always recommended to double-check with travel providers to ensure all documents meet the required criteria.
Impact on Business and Family Travel
For business travelers, the risks associated with outdoor activities can be just as pertinent as for families. If you are traveling for work and plan to engage in adventure tourism, it’s essential to take precautions to avoid disruptions to business plans. Ensuring that team-building activities or incentive trips are thoroughly researched, safe, and covered by insurance can help prevent unforeseen issues.
For families, while Turkey’s landscapes offer beautiful backdrops for vacations, the risks associated with adventure tourism are particularly concerning for those with young children or elderly relatives. It’s essential to thoroughly research activities that are suitable for all ages and abilities. Having a clear understanding of what activities are safest for the entire family can prevent accidents and allow families to enjoy their vacation without worry.
Quick Tips for Safe Travel in Turkey
- Do Your Research: Always research outdoor activities beforehand. Check reviews and ensure that operators follow safety standards.
- Obey Local Safety Signs: Pay attention to warning flags at beaches and follow all safety instructions from lifeguards.
- Choose Reputable Tour Providers: Whether it’s a jeep safari or an extreme sport, ensure that the tour operator is reputable and adheres to safety regulations.
- Invest in Travel Insurance: Make sure your insurance covers adventure activities and emergencies. This ensures you’re financially protected.
- Check Passport and Travel Documents: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 150 days after your arrival date, and that it meets Turkish entry requirements.
Conclusion: Ensuring a Safe and Enjoyable Trip to Turkey
While Turkey remains one of the most beautiful and enticing travel destinations for families and business travelers alike, it’s essential to be cautious when participating in adventure tourism. The FCDO’s travel advice offers important insights that can help travelers mitigate risks and ensure a smooth trip. By researching destinations and activities thoroughly, following safety guidelines, and securing the right travel insurance, UK nationals can enjoy Turkey’s attractions while minimizing potential dangers. Always keep safety top of mind to ensure that your Turkish adventure remains a memorable and safe experience for all involved.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism could be dangerous if not researched properly
The Foreign Office, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has information about hundreds of countries via the Gov.uk website. It is responsible for leading the UK’s diplomatic, development, and consular work around the world.
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. If you choose to travel, you should research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance before boarding a plane. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in the case of an emergency.
One of the countries that the Foreign Office regularly updates its travel advice for is Turkey. The country is among the most visited by UK families due to its stunning landscapes and hot weather. However, there are regional risks and safety risks travellers should be aware of before making a journey abroad.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism in Turkey could be dangerous, if not researched properly. This includes water sports, if you book activities at a licensed water sports centre, before you start you should make sure the paperwork is completed, ask for a safety demonstration and make sure you know how to call for help.
Tourists are also encouraged to “obey” any warning signs and flags on beaches, as well as following instructions from lifeguards and observe the flag indicators on beaches.
According to Royal Life Saving Society, an average of 82 UK citizens drown each year while abroad. Things can be different on holiday, so take time to review safety notices and learn what local signs and flags mean.
In an emergency, you should be sure everyone in your group knows who to call in the event of an emergency and if you are abroad, be sure you know the correct number to call.
The Royal Life Saving Society says: “If you fall into the water or become tired – stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Make sure the whole family knows basic water safety and what to do if they find themselves in the water.”
The Foreign Office also warns that Jeep safaris can be dangerous, there were a number of reported accidents in 2023. If you join a jeep safari, use a reputable company who have adequate health and safety procedures and equipment.
Always check that activities are covered by your insurance. Other activities that could be dangerous if not researched properly include extreme sports, paragliding and quad biking.
To enter Turkey, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least 1 blank page. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. You can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for business or tourism.
- Sam Moore Shelter (1002.9) to Bears Den Hostel (1005.9)
- 1148 feet ascent, 791 feet descent
Sometimes being close makes things feel worse. We only have 3.6 miles to cover today, and less than a mile tomorrow. We had planned to hike both of these short distances today and be to the end of Virginia. It didn’t happen. We had given the hostel in Harpers Ferry a target date, give or take 1 day and the give or take gave and took. We had no internet and were unable to reach our hosts until today and then only to find out there was no room for us. After a moment of distress, we righted our ship and made it OK to take two days. We are out here to learn to live in the moment so this was a good test.
We are on the Trail to reorient and “chill.” The past 15 years for us have included multiple major losses that we were expected to control, and did, but at a great cost to our emotional, financial, and physical health. We, along with 65 of our neighbors, lost our home and all of our possessions to wildfire. We lived apart for years care-giving for protracted cancer and COVID deaths of elders and complex, distressing estates for which we were the executors. When the dust settled, we told the family and friends we needed a break. Everyone was amazing. The elder we currently care for told people we were going “on sabbatical” for four months while we finished the AT. Before we left, we cooked 150 meals for her in advance. Her friends and our family helped with transportation for healthcare. Through the magic of the internet we managed her finances and personal care supply deliveries from the Trail. An extra night in Virginia was the perfect opportunity to test our our emotional reaction to renewed flexibility.
Bears Den, not Halfway Hideaway Hostel
When we originally planned the end of our Virginia section, we considered staying at Bears Den Hostel. It is an official hiker’s hostel owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Since we have been trying to experience the iconic AT things, it fit our list. We also wanted to go to Harpers Ferry so that we could go to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy office. I had already hiked the distance between Snickers Gap and Harpers Ferry in 1975 so left Bears Den on the list of options, but decided to get a shuttle from Snickers Gap to Harpers Ferry.
When we finally got to the top of a hill where we could get a connection to the Hostel, they told us they had no space for us tonight. We were looking forward to being done with Virginia, but took the extra day in stride. We made jokes about Virginia having the last word, something she did often on the trail. “Virginia is flat” is true, but flat with tipper and tripper rocks. “Virginia is flat” but Mount Rogers, The James River and the Three Ridges are decidedly not flat. “Virginia feels like it never ends” is true and we were given one last chance to discover how long the AT in Virginia is.
Either we were too hot to care, or we really were OK with the change in our schedule. Neither of us was upset and we had a good time at Bears Den.
Hm. . .Someone Made it Hot?
When we started out after breakfast, we congratulated each other on the short day. We were planning to zip over the 3.6 miles of Roller Coaster trail as if it was nothing. I don’t know why we were thinking we had a “nothing burger” for the day. When we hit the 500 foot climb in 90/90 (90 degrees with 90% humidity) we both acted as if someone had played a trick on us. Short must equate to cool, right?
Silly hikers. No. Hot is hot. Short is short. Hot short is not short. Hot makes you go slower and slower we did go.
The benefit of knowing we did not have anywhere else to be today was we felt at liberty to take as many breaks as we wanted, and for as long as we wanted.
During our breaks we meet multiple other very interesting hikers, including a day hiker who had a son teaching at University of Wyoming from whence we graduated. The heat of the day lead to a round of “it is so cold in Laramie, Wyoming” stories. We were all laughing and enjoying the cold memories.
The Rocks Are Different
Give that the Roller Coaster is effectively all lower-altitude, 2nd growth forest of a similar type, neither the views or the vegetation commads much attention. As I was staring at the ground, trying not to trip on the Virginia rocks that are not technically there according to tradition, I got to thinking about how different the rocks here in Northern Virginia are from the rocks in Southern Virginia.
From the hikers perspective, falling on a Northern Virginia rock is potentially less painful than falling on Southern Virginia rocks. Southern Virginia rocks are sharper than the Northern Virginia rocks. Much of Southern Virginia is composed of fine-grained volcanic Rhyolite and when it breaks it can form sharp edges. Northern Virginia rocks demonstrate more weathering and erosion. In addition to mechanical weathering from forces like ice, water and wind, they are subject to spheroidal weathering in which the corners and edges wear faster than the flat surfaces.
This is a spheroidal weathered rock I found today.
Northern Virginia’s geology had limited limestone formations and is largely eroded igneous and metamorphic rocks, with some sedimentary deposits. Southern Virginia’s geology has a broader range of rock across different physiographic provinces including older rocks and more limestone deposits.
Flowers and Bugs
Of course, along with the rocks, we noticed the flowers and bugs. Two flowers we have not seen often included Campanulastrum americanum (Linnaeus) Tall Bellflower and
Aegopodium podagraria L. commonly called ground elder, herb gerard, bishop’s weed, goutweed, gout wort, and snow-in-the-mountain.
Bears Den
We finally arrived at Bears Den. The grounds and buildings were, as promised, very special.
There was a secret password that could be figured out from hiking clues so we could let ourselves inside. The hiker hostel is in the basement and was relatively cool compared to outside. There were the typical hiker-hostel directions so we found bunks, towels, and got baths. We even found a phone number for a shuttle driver who was happy to help us get from Snickers Gap to Harpers Ferry tomorrow.
We were flat out of food, as we had not expected to be on the trail after tonight. I discovered we could pay a small fortune to have food delivered to us so I placed an order. The Historian wanted a burger and I got nachos. An entree salad for sharing was the perfect balance.
The food came just after the upstairs of the Hostel opened. I waited outside for the driver while The Historian checked us in.
The driver was ever so kind. He had done a lot of section hikes and was delighted to bring food to the Hiker Hostel. His companion was amused by our story and we all laughed when she announced she was born in 1975 when I set out for my original hike. They wished us well and drove off.
It was perfect timing. We were able to spread out on the large dining table in the beautiful stone dining room and eat to our heart’s content.
We even had an audience, although we were warned not to feed them. The dogs could not read the signs so expected to be fed.
Dinner was topped off with a full pint of ice cream each. Yum. Won’t be doing that when we go back home.
The Rewards of Flexibility
So many things felt uncomfortable this morning. The heat, delaying departing Virginia, and how to get from Snickers Gap to Harpers Ferry had been weighing on us. We committed to living on the path we were on and taking the moments of the day as they came.
Before the day’s end, we had solved all of our conundrums for the day. After a short hike with visits, a shower, a satisfying meal, and the promise of a shuttle at the end of Virginia, it was a perfectly flexible day.
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