Army National Guard challenges nation to physical fitness with Fitness for Life

The Army National Guard is proud to announce the winner of the nationwide MaxPreps Fitness for Life high school physical fitness competition, Torrington (Wyo.) — for demonstrating the most improvement among 25 high schools nationwide in the semester-long program. Torrington High School captured the national title with 22.06 percent improvement and also finished as the top performing school in the challenge.

Overall, the MaxPreps Fitness for Life program, presented by the Army National Guard, demonstrated attainable fitness for young people and promoted lifelong personal fitness through friendly competition designed to motivate students and increase physical ability, while learning important tips and tools for workout techniques and exercise activities.

High school students across the U.S. trained on a variety of fitness activities during physical education classes with pre-testing and post-testing tracking performance improvement. Students also tracked their individual performance throughout the program on a digital leaderboard platform.

"Unity and camaraderie are invaluable when trying to accomplish a goal," says MAJ Mark Burns, Army National Guard. "By working as a team with their fellow peers and staying committed to their goal, these students exemplified the same traits as our Citizen Soldiers in the Army National Guard.

"The students tracked their improvement in this friendly nationwide fitness competition and showed what it takes to achieve success."

The program featured a variety of speed and agility training exercises designed to improve physical fitness including donkey kicks, hurdle hops, sprint backpedal and chest press. Each exercise was taught to physical education teachers by certified athletic trainers and both the teachers and trainers supervised both pre-testing and post-testing with the students to ensure proper technique and to record results.

"As the winner of the Fitness for Life competition, the students at Torrington High School showed the same qualities as a Citizen Soldier by participating in the Fitness for Life challenge this semester," adds SFC Paul Peterson. "They proved commitment and showcased camaraderie toward something bigger — their team of classmates."

The MaxPreps Fitness for Life program promotes physical and mental strength reflecting the Army National Guard's key elements of success including motivation, increased confidence, teamwork, motivation and physical and mental preparedness.

"Our students took true ownership of the Fitness for Life program and showed great dedication to learning the technique and improving their abilities over the past few months," said Principal Jim English. "Our school community has been inspired by the teamwork they displayed by encouraging each other and working together as a unit. I know the lessons learned through Fitness for Life will help guide their physical health and fitness in the future."

Torrington High School in Wyoming was honored with a school award ceremony on May 14, 2015, including a trophy presentation by the Army National Guard and representatives from MaxPreps to celebrate all participating students, as well as the most improved student in the state, Aedan Liggett.

To view photos from the Fitness for Life Challenge check out #MaxPrepsFFL or learn more about the program here.