Fitness Fads: 1950s-60s – The Future of America

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In 1956, in response to an alarming medical journal article on the state of fitness in America’s youth ,President Eisenhower established the President’s Council on Youth Fitness. Once again, U.S children had been compared to Europe’s, and found wanting. In the early 1960s President Kennedy changed “Youth” to “Physical,” hoping to address the health of all Americans regardless of age, and the Council launched a national advertising campaign.

Members of the State of Maryland Commission on Physical Fitness, “under the auspices” of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, distribute literature at the JCC Total Health Fair, circa 1965.  Gift of the Jewish Community Center of Baltimore. JMM 2006.13.1203
Members of the State of Maryland Commission on Physical Fitness, “under the auspices” of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, distribute literature at the JCC Total Health Fair, circa 1965.  Gift of the Jewish Community Center of Baltimore. JMM 2006.13.1203

Much of the focus of the Council was fitness programs in schools; perhaps you remember taking the Presidential Physical Fitness Test (if you dreaded it as much as I did, you may be relieved to know that you were not alone, and that the test has been substantially changed. Thanks to the internet, we can watch, or re-watch, some of the Kennedy-era instructional films like this 10 minute movie made for elementary schools.  The message here – and it’s not subtle – is that a fit populace is necessary for a successful United States:

Enthusiastic student: “If we’re healthy and strong, wouldn’t our nation be strong?”

Miss Teacher: “Of course! You are the future of America…”

The JCC Athletics Program provides “a wide variety of organized and informal spots, guided exercises to meet individual needs for physical self-development, instruction in athletic skills, team participating, personal hygiene, leagues and tournaments at all age levels … under the supervision of a skilled staff.” From Welcome to the Jewish Community Center, circa 1960. Gift of the Jewish Community Center of Baltimore. JMM 1995.98.92
The JCC Athletics Program provides “a wide variety of organized and informal spots, guided exercises to meet individual needs for physical self-development, instruction in athletic skills, team participating, personal hygiene, leagues and tournaments at all age levels … under the supervision of a skilled staff.” From Welcome to the Jewish Community Center, circa 1960. Gift of the Jewish Community Center of Baltimore. JMM 1995.98.92

Maryland’s own Future of America was fortunate to have the JCC on its side, along with the school system and the Department of Parks and Recreation.  Promotional material from the newly-built JCC facility on Park Heights Avenue in the early 1960s makes clear the connection between occupied, engaged, and active youth, and “healthy-bodied and healthy-minded adults.”

“The JCC is a Youth Center – a place where our young people can be helped to a better understanding of themselves as individuals and as Jews, to formulate a code of behavior reflecting the highest Jewish and American ethical standards and to acquire that proud feeling of belonging to a people with a long and proud history…. To grow up into healthy-bodied and healthy-minded adults.”  From Presenting the New Jewish Community Center, dedication program, 1960. Gift of the Jewish Community Center of Baltimore. JMM 1995.98.92
“The JCC is a Youth Center – a place where our young people can be helped to a better understanding of themselves as individuals and as Jews, to formulate a code of behavior reflecting the highest Jewish and American ethical standards and to acquire that proud feeling of belonging to a people with a long and proud history…. To grow up into healthy-bodied and healthy-minded adults.”  From Presenting the New Jewish Community Center, dedication program, 1960. Gift of the Jewish Community Center of Baltimore. JMM 1995.98.92

Feature Image Caption: Neal Grossman won the Edward “Pat” Berman Memorial Trophy For the Best, Most Versatile Athlete of the JCC, 1966.  Gift of the Jewish Community Center of Baltimore. JMM 2006.13.95

Post by JMM Collections Manager Joanna Church.

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