Curious about how fit you are? Here are ways to see what kind of shape you’re in:
At home: Count push-ups and sit-ups, or test your heart rate by stepping on a stair. The Web site topendsports.com/testing/hometest.htm describes ways to estimate some more complicated measurements and includes charts to rate yourself.
At the gym: Most gyms will provide a basic exam, perhaps involving an estimate of your body fat percentage, some simple tests on a treadmill, and an assessment of the way you walk, stretch, do a push-up and bear weight. Less intensive than other tests — and less costly.
Functional fitness: A physical therapist performs this stem-to-stern analysis. Expect to be twisted around a lot, but you’ll get a great understanding of your strength and flexibility as well as your posture and gait. This will cost a couple hundred dollars or more.
V02 max: To find out what’s really going on with your heart and lungs, you’ll need to visit a hospital or specialized clinic. Tests on a stationary bike or treadmill can determine how much air your lungs move and how well your body processes oxygen. It probably will cost a few hundred bucks.
