President's Challenge - take this fitness assessment (be aware, this is not a checkstand quiz)

April 28, 7:24 AMSan Jose Fitness ExaminerAmy Rabinovitz

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Every adult, every fitness level should take this test.  It's a great way to see where you stand (or sit, as the case may be).

The President's Challenge Adult Fitness Test is definitely not your typical cocktail-party-feel-good-about-yourself multiple choice quiz. (It is a great first step toward before signing up for the National President's Challenge).

This is an honest-to-goodness assessment - broken down into four parts:

• aerobics (you take a 1 mile walk and a 1.5 mile run)
• muscular strength & endurance (for household tasks, not for heavy lifting)
• flexibility
• body mass index

Each section includes instructions on how to interpret and improve. The downloadable instruction book suggests the tests be done with a partner.

After you complete all the testing events, you go back online and enter your data into the online form provided. It calculates your score and you receive  feedback on how well you performed. Every time you retake a testing event, recalculate your score and compare your results to see how your fitness has changed.

The activities in the test are provided as a way for you to get an estimate of your level of aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and your body composition. The results on each test provide you with a measure from which you can track your progress in each area as you become more physically active. 

Next step:  Sign up for the 2009 National President's Challenge.

For more info:  President's Adult Fitness

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