Ask the Experts: How Can I Tell If I’m Fit?
Q: How can I tell if I’m fit?
A: Many different factors are involved in defining overall fitness, but it’s possible to get a quick snapshot of how you stack up.
The following four tests will give you a good general overview of your fitness level. Passing these tests should give you confidence that the time you spend working out is producing the results you need to succeed. And they can identify any potential weaknesses you may have, which you can then address in your future training.
As an athlete, you should be able to pass each test. We encourage you to strive to surpass the ideal scores. Make sure to retake the tests after each training phase to measure your progress.
Treadmill Fitness Test
- What It Measures: Endurance
- Passing Score: 1 minute
- Ideal Score: >2 minutes
Plank Test
- What It Measures: Core strength
- Passing Score: 1 minute
- Ideal Score: >2 minutes
One-Minute Push-Up Test
- What It Measures: Upper-body strength and endurance
- Passing Score: 28 (male) / 20 (female)
- Ideal Score: >36 (male) / 30 (female)
- How To: Perform as many Push-Ups as possible in one minute. You can pause, but don’t come out of the Push-Up position.
Max Back Squat Test
- What It Measures: Lower-body strength
- Passing Score: 1.97 x body weight (male) / 1.77 x body weight (female)
- Ideal Score: 2.28 x body weight (male) / 2.07 x body weight (female)
- How To: Perform a Squat using a one-rep max testing protocol.
Reference:
Armstrong, L. et.al. (2006). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercises Testing and Prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MOST POPULAR
Ask the Experts: How Can I Tell If I’m Fit?
Q: How can I tell if I’m fit?
A: Many different factors are involved in defining overall fitness, but it’s possible to get a quick snapshot of how you stack up.
The following four tests will give you a good general overview of your fitness level. Passing these tests should give you confidence that the time you spend working out is producing the results you need to succeed. And they can identify any potential weaknesses you may have, which you can then address in your future training.
As an athlete, you should be able to pass each test. We encourage you to strive to surpass the ideal scores. Make sure to retake the tests after each training phase to measure your progress.
Treadmill Fitness Test
- What It Measures: Endurance
- Passing Score: 1 minute
- Ideal Score: >2 minutes
Plank Test
- What It Measures: Core strength
- Passing Score: 1 minute
- Ideal Score: >2 minutes
One-Minute Push-Up Test
- What It Measures: Upper-body strength and endurance
- Passing Score: 28 (male) / 20 (female)
- Ideal Score: >36 (male) / 30 (female)
- How To: Perform as many Push-Ups as possible in one minute. You can pause, but don’t come out of the Push-Up position.
Max Back Squat Test
- What It Measures: Lower-body strength
- Passing Score: 1.97 x body weight (male) / 1.77 x body weight (female)
- Ideal Score: 2.28 x body weight (male) / 2.07 x body weight (female)
- How To: Perform a Squat using a one-rep max testing protocol.
Reference:
Armstrong, L. et.al. (2006). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercises Testing and Prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.