Everyone is talking about the unbelievably challenging 1960’s La Sierra High PE Program. But what is it exactly?

Fitness was a priority of the nation in the 1950s and 1960s.

World War II ended, and the Cold War was in its infancy. 

In Dec 1960, President John F. Kennedy published an article titled, “Soft American” in Sports Illustrated. 

In the article, President Kennedy highlighted a 15-year study of American physical fitness. The study showed that American physical fitness dropped to a level far below that of Europeans’.

The study led to the creation of the Council on the Fitness of the American Youth. Despite the attention youth fitness received from the government, it continued trending downward.

“For the physical vigor of our citizens is one of America’s most precious resources. If we waste and neglect this resource, if we allow it to dwindle and grow soft, we will destroy much of our ability to meet the great and vital challenges confronting our people. We will be unable to realize our full potential as a nation.” – JFK.

Only a month into his presidency, President Kennedy began tackling the issues he outlined in “Soft American.” The administration hired University of Oklahoma football coach Bud Wilkinson to lead the Council on Youth Fitness. The President also reinvigorated a Theodore Roosevelt executive order that officers of the Marine Corps complete a 50-mile hike in under 20 hours. 

Attorney General Robert Kennedy famously completed the hike in dress shows through the snow. Members of the public took up the challenge. The origins of this became the JFK 50 Mile Race, which still takes place in Maryland today.

The Council also developed a physical education pilot program in the early 1960s. The program involved nearly a quarter of a million school-aged children in six states. The flagship school of the experimental physical education program was La Sierra High School in Carmichael, California.

A resurgence of popularity in La Sierra’s fitness program is underway in the 2020s. JFK wrote in “Soft American,” “But the harsh fact of the matter is that there is also an increasingly large number of young Americans who are neglecting their bodies— whose physical fitness is not what it should be—who are getting soft. And such softness on the part of individual citizens can help to strip and destroy the vitality of a nation.”

Social media debates rage on about the La Sierra program and whether or not it still has a place in modern society.

“Should we return to this level of physical education in our schools?” 

“Was this just a guise for preparing our young men and women for war?”

“Is there even a need for kids to have this level of fitness?”

“Is this child abuse?”

Let’s look at what exactly the La Sierra program includes. Then, you can decide for yourself if it makes sense to bring back this type of program for today’s youth.

Coach Stan LeProtti

Stan LeProtti was a World War II veteran and coach of the La Sierra High PE program. LeProtti put together what became known as the “La Sierra system of physical fitness.” This included high-intensity exercise, calisthenics, strength training, agility exercises, an obstacle course, peg boards, swimming, and running. Proficiency in the system was broken out into various fitness standards denoted by the color of the shorts the students wore.

The color scale included white trunks for beginners, red trunks for intermediate, and blue trunks for advanced. To advance to the next trunk color, the students had to pass the ceiling standard fitness test (outlined below). The blue trunks were divided into two categories: blue and gold, further separating the advanced students. The final category was Navy Blue trunks, representing the highest standard of fitness—a feat that only 21 students achieved during the program.

From the La Sierra PE Program Handbook:

“The attainment of physical excellence is appropriately recognized through the use of the color system. This motivated pupils to extend themselves in the pursuit of physical excellence and to gain the same type of recognition and status in the school community as that enjoyed by those who participate in interscholastic athletics.”

The Strength and Endurance Routine

For many, the La Sierra High School PE program strength and endurance routine warm-up is a workout in itself. About 12 minutes long, this warm-up consists of plyometrics, calisthenics, and even some classic strength movements. It is an excellent way to get moving before a strength training or cardio session and also makes for a quick workout when you’re on the go.

Here’s a follow along video of the routine:

• Side Straddle Hops – same thing as jumping jacks
• Push-Ups
• Windmills – arms extended, alternating touching toes with the opposite hand
• Push-Ups
• Full Bends – Touching toes, hips, and overhead
• Push-Ups
• Straddle Hops – Jumping jacks without using the arms
• Push-Ups
• Stride Hops – alternating feet forward and backward while jumping
• Push-Ups
• Toe Hops – Jumping up and down off the front of the foot
• Push-Ups
• Squat Thrusts – Burpees without push-ups or jumping at the end
• Mountain Climbers – Alternating feet up towards the chest while in the plank position
• Push-Ups
• Agility Routine – Sprinting in place, dropping to plank, dropping to legs forward, rolling over, and back to in-place sprinting. 

Rep Breakout

• 5 sets of 8-count Side Straddle Hops
• 5 Push-Ups
• 5 sets of 8 count Windmills
• 5 Push-Ups
• 5 sets of 8 count Full Bends
• 5 Push-Ups
• 50-count Straddle Hops
• 5 Push-Ups
• 50-count Stride Hops
• 5 Push-Ups
• 50-count Toe Hops
• 5 Push-Ups
• 5 Sets of 8 count Squat Thrusts
• 5 Sets of 8 count Mountain Climbers 
• 5 Push-Ups
• 4 rounds of the agility routine

White Shorts

Each level (white team, red team, and blue team) has minimum, median, and ceiling performance standards. Once ceiling performance is achieved, the student is advanced to the next level.

Minimum Performance:

• Pull-Ups: 2
• Push-Ups: 16
• Bar-Dips: 4
• Sit-Ups: 30
• Standing Broad Jump: 6′
• Shuttle Run (200 yds): 38 sec.
• Rope Climb (18′): Hands/Feet
• Agility Run: 21 sec.
• 880 Yd Run: 3:30
• Mile Run: 7:30
• Man Lift and Carry: 440 yds
• Pegboard: 2 holes
• Swim 50 Yds (Freestyle): 40 sec.

Median Performance:

• Pull-Ups: 6
• Push-Ups: 24
• Bar-Dips: 8
• Sit-Ups: 45
• Standing Broad Jump: 6’6”
• Shuttle Run (200 yds): 36 sec.
• Rope Climb (18′): 1/2Hands only complete w/feet
• Agility Run: 20.5 sec.
• 880 Yd Run: 3:15
• Mile Run: 7:15
• Man Lift and Carry: 660 Yds.
• Pegboard: 4 Holes
• Swim 50 Yds (Freestyle): 38 seconds

Ceiling Performance:

• Pull-Ups: 10
• Push-Ups: 32
• Bar-Dips: 12
• Sit-Ups: 60
• Standing Broad Jump: 6’9”
• Shuttle Run (200 yds): 34 sec.
• Rope Climb (18′): Hands-only
• Agility Run: 20 sec.
• 880 Yd Run: 3:00
• Mile Run: 7:00
• Man Lift and Carry: 880 Yds.
• Pegboard: 6 Holes
• Swim 50 Yds (Freestyle): 36 sec

Red Shorts

It only gets tougher from here! The intermediate “Red Team” level is no walk in the park. The minimum standard is enough to scare a seasoned CrossFitter.

Minimum Performance:

• Pull-Ups: 10
• Push-Ups: 32
• Bar-Dips: 12
• Standing Broad Jump: 6’9”
• Hanging Leg Lifts (30 sec.): 20
• Shuttle Run (300 Yds): 55 sec.
• Rope Climb (18′): Hands-Only
• Agility Run: 20 sec.
• 1320 Yd Run: 4.40
• Man Lift and Carry: 880 Yds
• Pegboard: 6 holes
• Extension Press-Up: 1
• 1.5 Mile Run: 11:30
• Swim (50 Yds): 36 sec

Median Performance:

• Pull-Ups: 12
• Push-Ups: 40
• Bar-Dips: 15
• Standing Broad Jump: 7′
• Hanging Leg Lifts (30 sec.): 22
• Shuttle Run (300 Yds): 53 sec.
• Rope Climb (18′): Hands-Only 20′
• Agility Run: 19.5 sec.
• 1320 Yd Run: 4.30
• Man Lift and Carry: 1000 Yds
• Pegboard: 8 holes
• Extension Press-Up: 3
• 1.5 Mile Run: 11:00
• Swim (50 Yds): 34 sec.

Ceiling Performance:

• Pull-Ups: 14
• Push-Ups: 48
• Bar-Dips: 18
• Standing Broad Jump: 7’3”
• Hanging Leg Lifts (30 sec.): 24
• Shuttle Run (300 Yds): 52 sec.
• Rope Climb (18′): 15 sec.
• Agility Run: 19 sec.
• 1320 Yd Run: 4.20
• Man Lift and Carry: 1320 Yds
• Pegboard: 1 Trip
• Extension Press-Up: 5
• 1.5 Mile Run: 10:30
• Swim (50 Yds): 32 sec.

Blue Team

Blue Team is downright impressive!

Minimum Performance:

• Pull-Ups: 14
• Bar-Dips: 18
• Hand Stand Push-Ups: 12
• Extension Press-Up: 15
• Pegboard: 1 Trip
• Two Arm Hand Hang: 1:45
• Standing Broad Jump: 7’3”
• Rope Climb 20′ Sit Start: Hands
• Shuttle Run 300 Yds: 52 sec.
• 2 Mile Run: 16 min.
• Man Lift and Carry: 1320 Yds
• Agility Run: 19 sec.
• Hanging Sit-Ups: 20

Median Performance (Purple):

• Pull-Ups: 18
• Bar-Dips: 28
• Hand Stand Push-Ups: 14
• Extension Press-Up: 20
• Pegboard: 2 Trips
• Two Arm Hand Hang: 2:15
• Standing Broad Jump: 7’6”
• Rope Climb 20′ Sit Start: Hands 13 sec.
• Shuttle Run 300 Yds: 50.5 sec.
• 2 Mile Run: 15 min.
• Man Lift and Carry: 1 mile
• Agility Run: 18.5 sec.
• Hanging Sit-Ups: 25

Ceiling Performance (Gold):

• Pull-Ups: 22
• Bar-Dips: 32
• Hand Stand Push-Ups: 16
• Extension Press-Up: 30
• Pegboard: 3 Trips
• Two Arm Hand Hang: 3:00
• Standing Broad Jump: 8′
• Rope Climb 20′ Sit Start: 11 sec.
• Shuttle Run 300 Yds: 49.5 sec.
• 2 Mile Run: 14 min.
• Man Lift and Carry: 1.25 mile
• Agility Run: 18 sec.
• Hanging Sit-Ups: 30

Navy Blue Shorts

According to the La Sierra handbook, all students who “wish to compete in the rare Navy Blue rank must have achieved “Golds” before starting the test procedure.”

Navy Blue Test

• Bar Dips: 52
• Pull-Ups: 34
• Handstand Push-Ups: 50
• 1 Arm Burpees – 30 sec.: 26
• 300 Yd Shuttle Run: 47.5 sec
• Rope Climb 20′ Hands, Sitting Start: 2 Trips
• Agility Run: 17 sec.
• Extension Press-Up – 8 inches: 100
• Pegboard: 5 Trips
• Handstand: 45 sec.
• Man Lift and Carry: 5 miles
• Mile Run: 5:15
• Five Mile Jog: Finish
• Obstacle Course: Complete
• Swim – Front Prone Position: 1 mile
• Swim – Underwater: 50 Yds
• Swim – Any comb. Strokes: 2 miles
• Execute Front Hanging Float w/arms and ankles tied – deep water
• Stay afloat in deep water in a vertical position – use of arms or legs permitted within 8 ft. circle: 2 hours

The La Sierra High PE handbook lists a “date completed” for each event, so one would presumably not have to complete all of these evolutions on the same day.

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La Sierra High PE Program

Many consider the La Sierra program the last great physical education program. Others see the uptick of interest in the program as an opportunity to bring back the historical movement.

The Motivation Factor, a documentary by filmmaker Doug Orchard, chronicles the program and some of the more modern gym class programs that continued the La Sierra tradition. The documentary emphasizes the need for kids today to engage in more movement and healthy living, using the kids of La Sierra as an example.

The La Sierra program is also an excellent PE curriculum for adults. The program uses very few pieces of equipment, making it perfect for people who don’t enjoy the gym or don’t have access to it. It’s also a fantastic goal to strive for in terms of general fitness. The objectives laid out by Stan La Protti could also help prepare military and first responder candidates as well as obstacle course race (OCR) enthusiasts.

So, what are you waiting for? Give the program a try and let us know how you did!

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