20 Things from ’70s PE Class That Were Basically Torture
PE in the ’70s felt less like a gym class and more like a sweaty obstacle course designed by someone who hated children.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
If you survived PE in the 1970s, congratulations—you’ve already endured your first boot camp. Gym class back then wasn’t about personal bests or mental health; it was about rubber balls, wooden floors, and sheer chaos. These 20 “activities” still haunt the dreams of anyone who wore tube socks and polyester gym shorts.
1. Climbing the Rope
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Every gym had a thick rope hanging from the ceiling, and every kid had to try climbing it. There were no safety mats, just a wooden floor waiting below. It was sweaty and terrifying, and the rope often left burn marks on your hands, making it impossible to forget the experience.
2. The Presidential Fitness Test
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Most schools required this test and included sit-ups, pull-ups, a shuttle run, and a one-mile run. Scores were compared to national standards set by the government. Most kids dreaded it all year long. The pressure to meet the “presidential” standards was intense, especially if you weren’t athletic.
3. Dodgeball with Rubber Balls
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PE teachers used heavy, red rubber balls that hurt when they hit you. The game moved fast, and getting hit in the face was common. There were no soft foam versions or safety rules. Kids quickly learned to either dodge or duck or risk getting a bruise.
4. Crab Walk Races
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You had to move across the gym floor with your hands and feet, belly up like a crab. It was hard on your wrists and made your arms burn. Kids would collapse halfway through. The slow, awkward pace left everyone feeling like they were just crawling to an early grave.
5. Square Dancing
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Some schools taught square dancing as part of physical education. Boys and girls had to hold hands, switch partners, and follow the teacher’s calls. Most kids were uncomfortable and just tried not to mess it up. The whole experience left many wishing they had taken any other elective class.
6. Balance Beam
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This was a narrow wooden beam set on raised legs with no padding underneath. Falling off was common and usually painful. Teachers said it helped with balance and posture. The fear of slipping made every kid tense up before their turn.
7. Parachute Games
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Large nylon parachutes were used for games where kids would lift and duck underneath. It was fun at first but got chaotic fast. Someone always got hit in the head or tripped. By the end, kids focused more on avoiding disaster than actually having fun.
8. Climbing Wall Ladders
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Wall bars made of wood were mounted in most gyms. Kids were told to climb and swing across them during class. There was no soft padding below, just the hard gym floor. Falling often led to bruises or scrapes, but it was just part of the challenge.
9. Sit-Up Contests
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Kids were paired up, and one would hold the other’s feet while they did sit-ups. Teachers timed it and shouted out scores. Your stomach muscles felt like jelly afterward. The longer you held the position, the more you dreaded the next set.
10. Jump Rope Challenges
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Students had to jump rope for long periods without tripping. Some teachers made it a competition. The plastic ropes would sting if they hit your legs. Kids often ended up with rope burns or bruises from missed attempts.
11. Relay Races with Objects
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Races involved running and passing strange objects like rubber chickens or beanbags. They were supposed to be fun but often became a mess. Teams were picked quickly, and someone always dropped the baton. The pressure to perform in front of the class made the race more stressful than exciting.
12. Medicine Ball Exercises
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The medicine ball was large, heavy, and made of leather. Kids had to throw it, lift it, or pass it to a partner. It often felt like lifting a bowling ball. The awkward weight of the ball left many kids feeling sore long after gym class ended.
13. Running Laps
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Warm-ups almost always started with laps around the gym or field. Most students had to run in sneakers with no support. It was tiring before the real activities even started. The cold air made your legs feel like lead, especially on winter mornings.
14. Hula Hoops
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Teachers would hand out hula hoops and tell kids to keep them spinning around their waist. Only a few could actually do it for more than a few seconds. Everyone else just chased theirs across the gym. The constant struggle made you feel like the least coordinated person alive.
15. Loud Whistles
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PE teachers constantly used metal whistles to start and stop activities. The sound was sharp and echoed through the entire building. Most kids flinched every time they heard it. The whistle became a trigger for both excitement and dread, depending on what came next.
16. Climbing Wall Bars
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Wooden climbing frames were attached to the gym walls and used during obstacle courses. Kids had to swing, climb, or balance on the bars. They were slippery and sometimes splintered. The constant risk of falling overshadowed the thrill of completing the course.
17. Tug-of-War
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This game involved two teams pulling on a thick rope until one side gave in. There were no gloves or helmets. Kids fell hard when the rope slipped. The competitive spirit was high, but so was the likelihood of someone getting scraped or bruised.
18. Floor Hockey
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Kids played with plastic sticks and soft pucks or balls. It was fast and competitive and usually ended with someone getting hit in the shins. Most gyms had no protective gear, but the lack of pads didn’t stop kids from diving headfirst into the game.
19. Tumbling on Thin Mats
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Students were told to do forward rolls and cartwheels on mats barely an inch thick. Landing wrong meant hitting the hard gym floor. Most kids had no formal training, so the “soft” landing mats often felt like nothing more than a cruel joke.
20. Picking Teams
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Teachers let captains pick teams in front of the whole class. Some kids got picked early while others waited and hoped not to be last. It was embarrassing and felt personal. The dread of being the last one standing was more than just a minor inconvenience.