There are so many different explanations as to what it means to be “fit”.  The one thing that seems to be constant among these varying definitions is that physical fitness is relative to each individual.  It encompasses building the foundation necessary for the body to adapt to and withstand the various demands placed upon it on a daily basis.  General fitness is a reference to your health and well-being, as well as your risks of getting certain diseases.  

NYC Marathon | Flickr

In a national effort to improve the live’s of individuals by preventing disease and promoting community health and wellness, HealthierUS.gov is encouraging individuals to become more physically fit.  They have devised a fitness test which will assess your level of fitness in five different categories:

1. Aerobic Fitness:   In short, this is your ability to do more physical activity for a period of time without being out of breath.  How long you can climb steps without feeling like your heart is pounding and your lungs are collapsing would be a good indication of your aerobic fitness.  It’s a reflection of how efficiently your heart and lungs are working to take in enough oxygen to perform the task to completion.

2. Flexibility:  The  ability of a joint or series of joints to move through a full range of motion without injury.  People often use the term “limber” when describing flexibility.  When you bend over, can you touch your toes or do your hands barely make it to your knees?

3. Muscular Endurance:  This refers to the ability to repeat muscular contractions against resistance for a sustained period of time.  An assessment of whether you can complete 15 - 20 repetitions of bicep curls using 20 pound dumbells would fall into this category. 

4. Muscular Strength:  Your muscular strength is your ability to produce muscular force against physical objects.  How strong are you?  Are you able to carry grocery bags loaded with canned goods and bottled juices, or are you more of a toilet paper and paper towel kind of person?

5. Body Composition: This is the ratio of body fat to lean body mass.  Lean body mass is inclusive of bone, muscle, and the internal organs.  Many people use BMI calculators to measure body composition but there are much more accurate ways of determining this ratio.

How fit do you think you are?  Are you ready to find out?  Take the Fitness Test Now!