Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month – May 2024

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is celebrated in May. It is an initiative by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Fitness isn’t just for professional athletes. As doctors and nutritionists will tell you, any physical movement is good for you.

Many people give up on their fitness goals early on due to misplaced notions of fitness. Every year in May, the council aims to dispel these myths. Exercise isn’t about the pounds you shed or the number of burpees you should be able to do. The key to an active, healthier lifestyle is consistency. No matter what you do, ensure you keep doing it, and while you’re at it, eat healthier, and make better choices each day. The simplest things are the hardest to do. But this is the key to leading a happy and healthy life.

History of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

As early as 1956, American leaders recognized the importance of fitness for the health and future of the nation. President Eisenhower set things in motion by creating the President’s Council on Youth Fitness. In the early 1960s, President Kennedy renamed the council the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. The idea behind the renaming was to include people of all ages, encouraging everyone to lead active lives. The advocacy month is chock-a-block each year with activities and resources that promote an active lifestyle. Stay active and eat healthily — that’s the mantra for May.

The council shares resources online with tips on exercise and nutrition. There’s something in there for everyone. Are you a parent struggling to get your teenager out of their rooms? Take the help of online resources that encourage adolescents to move more. From senior citizens to post-partum women — everyone can get on board. Schools can join in the fun through healthy breakfast programs. Few things can compare to the brain and body fuel a good breakfast brings.

In addition, the council conducts several campaigns through social media and other platforms. The #0to60 and the Let’s Move! campaigns push people of all ages to increase daily physical activity. The #MoveinMay campaign shines the spotlight on healthy living. Adopting a healthier lifestyle isn’t as difficult as it may seem. In the end, it all boils down to a shift in mindset and priorities.

Physical activity keeps you fit, but it also reduces stress and the risk of chronic diseases. Exercise can make us less anxious and depressed. Plus, it can help teens develop leadership and relationship-building skills early on.

Whether you enjoy a brisk walk, competitive sports, or dancing — keep at it this month. Even better, get your loved ones on board. If you’re new to exercise, this month is ideal to start. Talk to a friend, consult an expert if you’d like. Start small but start somewhere.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month timeline

Pre-1000 B.C.
Fitness for the Primitive Man

Besides hunting and gathering, the earliest humans walk over 20 miles to visit family and friends.

2500 B.C. — 250 B.C.
Confucius Knew it All

Cong Fu Gymnastics is born from the teachings of Confucius.

1776 — 1860
America Gets Fit

German and Swedish immigrants make sports and gymnastics popular in the United States.

1939 Onwards
The Unlikely Origins of Modern Fitness

The needs of World War II and the Cold War give birth to a new fitness movement in the United States.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month FAQs

What is the importance of physical fitness?

It improves respiratory, cardiovascular health, and overall health. Staying active can also help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk for type two diabetes and heart disease, and reduce your risk for some cancers. In other words, staying active is a crucial part of maintaining good health and wellness.

What happens after one month of working out?

One month of regular exercise improves the body’s strength and stamina. You may be able to run, cycle or walk faster without losing breath. Strength training becomes better, and you may be able to do more reps.

What are wellness components?

Personal health and wellness go beyond exercise. Holistic health covers five essential aspects: physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual wellness.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Activities

  1. Join a sports league or group

    Check for community sports leagues where you are. Whether it’s soccer, basketball, or frisbee — sign up and have a blast.

  2. Exercise with family

    Depending on fitness levels, take some time to help everyone work up a good sweat. Power walk with parents and dance with grandma. Help everyone feel good about themselves today.

  3. Make fitness fun

    Toss a ball around the yard. Shoot some hoops. Show kids that fitness can be fun and not a drag. Cap each session with fresh juices and a tasty, healthy snack.

5 Facts About Sports That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. The first sports

    Wrestling and fighting games were reportedly the first sports events played by the earliest humans.

  2. The first Olympics

    In 760 B.C., the first Olympics took place in Athens, with foot racing as the only event.

  3. Sports in outer space

    American astronaut Alan Shephard played golf on the moon in 1971.

  4. Unwritten rules of the Tour De France

    One rule says that if a race leader needs to pee, everyone must stop or slow down.

  5. Australia’s bizarre sport

    Sheep counting is one of the official sports in Australia.

Why We Love National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

  1. Fitness for everyone

    A month that gets family, friends, and everyone moving? What’s not to love? These are the best kind of #familygoals.

  2. A community effort

    Getting fit can sometimes be a lonely road. We find that it’s easier to stay the course when everyone around is as invested. It’s also way more fun.

  3. Our mindsets shift

    We don’t need to be pro athletes or young to lead active lives. The best workout is the one that works for you.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month dates

YearDateDay
2024May 1Wednesday
2025May 1Thursday
2026May 1Friday
2027May 1Saturday
2028May 1Monday
Hurricane Preparedness Week
National Physical Education and Sport Week
Aces Day
Agriculture and Labor Day
Beltane
Blessing Day
Calan Mai
Couple Appreciation Day
CSS Reboot Day
Executive Coaching Day
Frequent Flyer Day
Global Love Day
Great American Grump Out
International Doodle Dog Day
International Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Day
Labor Day Philippines
Learn to Ride a Bike Day
Lei Day
Marshall Islands Constitution Day
May Day
Mother Goose Day
National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day
National Chocolate Parfait Day
National Infertility Survival Day
National Interpreter Appreciation Day
National Loyalty Day
National Mantra Day
National Purebred Dog Day
National Rotate Your Beer Day
National Skilled Trades Day
National Skilled Trades Day
New Homeowners Day
Phone in Sick Day
Save The Rhino Day
School Principals' Day
Silver Star Banner Day
Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day
Worthy Wage Day
ALS Awareness Month
American Cheese Month
American Wetlands Month
Anxiety Awareness Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Awareness of Medical Orphans Month
Be Kind to Animals Month
Bealtaine Festival
Better Sleep Month
Better Speech and Hearing Month
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Brain Cancer Awareness Month
Building Safety Month
Celiac Awareness Month
Chip Your Pet Month
Chronic Fatigue Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
Community Action Month
Correct Posture Month
Creative Beginnings Month
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Date Your Mate Month
Deck Safety Month
EDS Awareness Month
Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month
Family Wellness Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
Food Allergy Action Month
Fungal Infection Awareness Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
Global Youth Traffic Safety Month
Haitian Heritage Month
Heal the Children Month
Healthy Vision Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Homeschool Awareness Month
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month
Indian Heritage Month
Internal Audit Awareness Month
International Business Image Improvement Month
International Civility Awareness Month
International Drum Month
International Respect for Chickens Month
International Victorious Woman Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Labor History Month
Latino Books Month
Leaders of Tomorrow Month
Lettuce Month
Local and Community History Month
Lung Health Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month
Maternal Mental Health Month
May Measurement Month
MCS Awareness Month
Meditation Month
Mediterranean Diet Month
Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Military Appreciation Month
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
National Asparagus Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Barbecue Month
National Bicycle Safety Month
National Blood Pressure Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Comfort Month
National Digestive Disease Awareness Month
National Duckling Month
fried egg on national egg month
National Egg Month
National Foster Care Month
National Hamburger Month
National Heritage Month
National Inventors Month
a nurse on National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Moving Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National Pet Month
National Photography Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Preservation Month
National Prom Graduation Safety Month
National Recommitment Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National San Architect Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
National Share a Story Month
National Show Your Smile Month
National Sight-Saving Month
National Strawberry Month
National Teen Self-Esteem Month
National Tennis Month
National Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Vinegar Month
National Walking Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month
Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month
Neurofibromatosis Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Awareness Month
Pet Sitter Safety Month
REACT Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Small Business Month
Speech and Hearing Awareness Month
Steelmark Month
Strike Out Strokes Month
Stroke Awareness Month
Syringomyelia Awareness Month
Teen CEO Month
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
Ultraviolet Awareness Month
Women's Health Month
Zombie Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.