Quiz: What Is Your Fitness Age?

Are you ready to re-define your lifestyle (and your body)? In this series of posts, we’re looking to achieve new definitions in 2010 – in fitness, nutrition, and overall wellness.  To start, you’ll need to set benchmarks for your progress and assess your starting fitness level, or what I am calling your “fitness age.”

Now that you have your circumference measurements recorded, it’s time to review your exercise history and assess your current fitness level.  When I sit down for a goal-setting session with a new personal training client, it’s important that I run through a health screening process for two reasons.  Firstly, it identifies any risk factors, medical conditions, medications, recent surgeries, or recent injuries the client might have.  If any medical conditions exist that would make exercise more difficult or more dangerous for the participant, he or she must get written consent from their doctor before proceeding.  And secondly, it paints a picture of my client’s experience with exercise, so I have a starting point to work from.  The program I create for someone that has never stepped foot in a gym will be extremely different from that of a competitive runner.

The following exercise history questionnaire is an abbreviated version of what I use in my gym to assess my clients’ exercise habits and risk factors.  Choose the letter answer that best describes your current habits. If you can’t decide between two, pick the lesser value (between A and B, choose B).

If you plan on taking the fitness tests I’ll be posting over the next week or so (which I hope you are!), then keep track of the number of A’s, B’s, and C’s you chose.  The fitness tests will also have letter answers and, at the conclusion of the fitness tests, you’ll tally your letters and reveal your starting level workout program!

What Is Your Fitness Age?

1.    Your exercise history has been…

A.    Consistent for years (regularly 3-4x/week)

B.    Consistent only within the last year

C.    Non-existent or sporadic

2.    Your workouts consist of…

A.    A combination of total body strength training and cardio

B.    Mostly cardio with sporadic strength training

C.    If I do anything, it’s cardio-based (walking, biking, elliptical, etc.)

3.    Your age is…

A.    Younger than 30

B.    30-54

C.    55+

4.    Your BMI is…

Calculate BMI by dividing your weight (kg) by your height2 (m).

A.    Under 25

B.    25-30

C.    Over 30

5.    You are currently diagnosed with/recovering from the following health conditions and injuries…

A.    None, I’m healthy!

B.    I was injured and/or sick over 6 months ago but have fully recovered since then

C.    One or more of the following: surgery, broken bones, hospitalization, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, hypertension, high cholesterol, severe asthma, bronchitis, COPD, seizures, heart murmur, hernia, osteoporosis, severe arthritis, chronic or recurring joint pain, or pregnancy.

Note: if you circled “C” above, please consult with your doctor before beginning this or any other exercise program.  If you are on medication for any of the above conditions, you should ask your doctor about any side effects that might interfere with your participation in an exercise program.

Your Results…

Mostly A’s: Training Pro

You are no stranger to exercise and have maintained a healthy weight and active lifestyle.  You are looking to add variety and an extra challenge to your workouts.  Congratulations!

Mostly B’s: Avid Exerciser

You have exercised in the past (or only just recently) but fitness has not been a constant in your life (until now!).  You are looking to change your lifestyle and make exercise a regular activity.  Good for you!

Mostly C’s: Fitness Freshman

You are new to exercise and/or it’s been a VERY long time since you worked out.  You are looking to bring fitness into your life, and you need a routine to get you started.  You’ve come to the right place!

Although you can establish a general starting level with the answers above, I find fitness tests to be invaluable in truly depicting the “fitness age” of a new client.  So remember your answers to this quiz and stay tuned for the 5 fitness tests I’ll be posting this week.  Remember, the more tests you perform, the more accurate your results!