Personal Fitness Merit Badge

Personal Fitness and the Trail to Eagle

Personal Fitness is one of the 13 Eagle-required merit badges. There is no substitute for it. Every scout who earns Eagle must complete Personal Fitness, along with the other 12 required badges and 8 electives, for 21 merit badges in total. See the full breakdown in our Eagle Scout requirements guide.

Long-lead badge: start early

Personal Fitness includes a tracking period of at least 84 days. Scouts who leave it until their Life-to-Eagle push often run out of time before their 18th birthday. Start the tracking requirement as soon as you have a counselor.

Personal Fitness Merit Badge Requirements

Summary of the 8 main requirements for Personal Fitness. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.

1
Do the following:
1. a.Before completing requirements 2 through 9, have your health-care practitioner give you a physical examination.
2. b.Have a dental examination.
2
Explain the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise.
3
Describe the components of personal fitness.
4
Describe the components of a sound diet.
5
Explain the importance of sleep.
6
Before and after completing requirement 7, take the five fitness tests and record your results.
7
Outline a comprehensive 12-week physical fitness program and follow it for at least 12 weeks.
8
Find out about three career opportunities in personal fitness.

Merit badge names and emblems are trademarks of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). Eagle Compass is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scouting America. Requirements are summarized for planning purposes; the official requirements are authoritative.

How to Earn the Personal Fitness Merit Badge

1. Get a blue card and a counselor

Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Personal Fitness, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.

2. Plan around the setting

Personal Fitness is usually earned on your own with a counselor. Schedule regular check-ins with your counselor so partial progress does not stall.

3. Budget the time

Expect about 3 months for a challenging badge like this one. The 84-day tracking period is the floor, not the average.

4. Track every requirement

Keep notes as you complete each item so your counselor can sign off without re-doing work. Eagle Compass tracks all 10 Personal Fitness requirements for you.

Personal Fitness Merit Badge FAQ

Is the Personal Fitness merit badge required for Eagle Scout?

Yes. Personal Fitness is one of the 13 Eagle-required merit badges every Eagle Scout must earn.

How long does the Personal Fitness merit badge take?

Plan on about 3 months. Personal Fitness has a built-in tracking period of at least 84 days, so it cannot be finished in a single weekend or camp session.

Where do scouts usually earn the Personal Fitness merit badge?

Personal Fitness is most often earned on your own with a counselor. Any registered merit badge counselor for Personal Fitness can sign off requirements.