Show fitness improvement
Show improvement (of any degree) in each activity listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a after practicing for 30 days.
30 days later
- Push-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
- Sit-ups or curl-ups________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
- Back-saver sit-and-reach _________ (Record the distance stretched)
- 1 mile walk/run _____________ (record the time)
Requirement 6c is the culmination of your 30-day fitness program. By retesting yourself across the same four disciplines under identical conditions, you evaluate how your body has adapted to consistent physical training.
The Standardized Retest Protocol
To ensure your comparison is accurate and fair, you must replicate the exact testing conditions you used during Requirement 6a:
- Warm Up Properly: Perform the same 5 to 10-minute dynamic warm-up and gentle stretching routine before beginning.
- Push-Ups (60 Seconds): Maintain strict form—straight back, elbows bending to a 90-degree right angle, pushing up to full arm extension. Count only full, correct repetitions completed in 1 minute.
- Sit-Ups or Curl-Ups (60 Seconds): Use the same variation chosen in 6a. For sit-ups, have a buddy hold your feet and ensure your elbows touch your thighs on every rep.
- Back-Saver Sit-and-Reach: Use the same 12-inch box setup with the ruler’s 9-inch mark aligned with the footplate. Measure both Right and Left legs after four smooth reaches, holding the fourth reach for 1 second.
- One-Mile Walk/Run: Retest on the same 400-meter track or measured 1-mile route. Record total elapsed time in minutes and seconds.
Side-by-Side Comparison Framework
Record your new numbers directly alongside your baseline from Requirement 6a:
| Fitness Assessment | Initial Baseline (Req 6a) | 30 Days Later (Req 6c) | Personal Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push-ups (in 60 seconds) | [Baseline Reps] | [New Reps] | [+ Reps gained] |
| Sit-ups / Curl-ups (in 60 seconds) | [Baseline Reps] | [New Reps] | [+ Reps gained] |
| Sit-and-Reach (Right Leg) | [Baseline Inches] | [New Inches] | [+ Inches gained] |
| Sit-and-Reach (Left Leg) | [Baseline Inches] | [New Inches] | [+ Inches gained] |
| 1-Mile Walk/Run | [Baseline Time] | [New Time] | [- Time dropped] |
Push-ups (in 60 seconds)
- Initial Baseline (Req 6a)
- [Baseline Reps]
- 30 Days Later (Req 6c)
- [New Reps]
- Personal Progress
- [+ Reps gained]
Sit-ups / Curl-ups (in 60 seconds)
- Initial Baseline (Req 6a)
- [Baseline Reps]
- 30 Days Later (Req 6c)
- [New Reps]
- Personal Progress
- [+ Reps gained]
Sit-and-Reach (Right Leg)
- Initial Baseline (Req 6a)
- [Baseline Inches]
- 30 Days Later (Req 6c)
- [New Inches]
- Personal Progress
- [+ Inches gained]
Sit-and-Reach (Left Leg)
- Initial Baseline (Req 6a)
- [Baseline Inches]
- 30 Days Later (Req 6c)
- [New Inches]
- Personal Progress
- [+ Inches gained]
1-Mile Walk/Run
- Initial Baseline (Req 6a)
- [Baseline Time]
- 30 Days Later (Req 6c)
- [New Time]
- Personal Progress
- [- Time dropped]
What “Improvement of Any Degree” Means
The requirement specifically states improvement “of any degree.” This is not a competition against other Scouts or an arbitrary national percentile. It is a measure of your own dedication and personal growth:
- Any positive gain counts: Adding a single push-up, completing one more sit-up, reaching an extra quarter-inch on your hamstring stretch, or trimming two seconds off your mile run satisfies the requirement.
- Why Your Body Improved: Over 30 days of consistent exercise, your muscle fibers adapt to handle greater workloads, your cardiovascular system delivers oxygen to working muscles more efficiently, and your tendons and ligaments become more pliable.
Discussing Your Results with Your Scoutmaster
During your Scoutmaster Conference, bring your 30-day activity log and your before-and-after comparison table. Be prepared to discuss:
- What Worked Well: Which exercises produced the most noticeable improvements, and how regular practice felt as the weeks went by.
- Challenges Faced: How you stayed motivated when tired or busy, and how you adjusted your routine around bad weather or school schedules.
- Next Steps (Second Class Rank): Completing Tenderfoot 6c unlocks the next fitness challenge: Second Class Requirement 7a, where you will maintain an active lifestyle of at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks.