test your fitness

The following tests were developed by health and exercise consultant Jonathan Tommey and appeared in GQ magazine. There are 3 tests which check different aspects of your fitness. Once you've finished, you can return to your profile submission and tell us how you faired.


The first test, called the step measure assesses the efficiency of your heart, lungs and muscles. You need a 30cm high stair or platform. Step up and down at a rate of 24 times per minute for 3 minutes. Sit down and check your pulse rate over 15 seconds. Use the following table to evaluate your performance.
 
15 s pulse count fitness level
< 17 excellent
17 - 19 good
20 - 22 average
23 - 26 fair
> 26 poor
 
Next, some sit-ups to test your muscular endurance. Without hooking your feet under anything, complete as many as you can in 3 minutes. See how you compare with the table below.
 
# sit-ups in 3 minutes fitness level
> 48 excellent
43 - 47 good
37 - 42 average
33 - 36 fair
< 35 poor
 
The last test involves doing as many push ups as you can in 3 minutes. Don't let your back slump ! Check your performance below.
 
# push-ups in 3 minutes fitness level
> 55 excellent
45 - 54 good
35 - 44 average
20 - 34 fair
< 19 poor

Now put it all together by allocating the scores below for each of your 3 tests. Then take the average and rate yourself on a scale of 1 - 9 according to the same table. (e.g. individual scores : excellent, excellent, good. average score : (9 + 9 + 7) / 3 = 8.33. rating : good-excellent). The tables were designed for 20 to 29 year olds so if you're 30 and over, you can give yourself some lee way - no offence, I'm only quoting.
 
test result points
excellent 9
good 7
average 5
fair 3
poor 1