Evaluate your Fitness Quotient

 12th Mar 2018

Before your start a fitness program set yourself clear and realistic goals. To achieve this, first begin by evaluating your attitude to exercise, lifestyle habits and current levels of fitness.

Initially, it might be tough to incorporate fitness in your schedule, but it is important because being fit and healthy benefits every aspect of your life. Treat commitment to health and fitness like an important project, and devote to it the time it deserves.

This questionnaire is designed to create an awareness of your current fitness status.

Step 1 is knowing where you are right now. This evaluation acts as a tool to fine-tune habits for optimal weight, health and energy.

15 QUESTIONS TO EVALUATE YOUR FITNESS STATUS

1. DO YOU CONSIDER EXERCISE TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF YOUR LIFE?

No
Sometimes
Yes

2. DO YOU START EXERCISE PROGRAMS BUT THEN ARE UNABLE TO STICK WITH THEM?

Always
Sometimes
Never

3. HOW MANY DAYS PER WEEK ARE YOU WILLING TO DEVOTE TO EXERCISE?

One
Two
Three to Six

4. ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING ANY FORM OF EXERCISE?

No
Occasionally
Regularly

5. DO YOU ENJOY WORKING OUT?

No
Sometimes
Yes

6. DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE FROM YOUR EXERCISE PROGRAM?

No
Somewhat
Yes

7. DO YOU FEEL AN EXERCISE PROGRAM WOULD BENEFIT YOUR JOB?

No
Maybe
Yes

8. DO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO CORRECT EXERCISE TECHNIQUE WHEN YOU WORKOUT?

No
Sometimes
Always

9. DOES EXERCISE IMPROVE YOUR MOOD AND HELP YOU COPE BETTER WITH STRESS?

Never
Sometimes
Always

10. DOES EXERCISE INCREASE YOUR ENERGY LEVELS?

Never
Sometimes
Always

11. CAN YOU BRISK WALK 30 MINUTES WITHOUT GASPING FOR BREATH?

Never
Sometimes
Always

12. ARE YOU IN SHAPE?

(This test assesses your body shape and fat distribution)

Test yourself: Measure your waist, and then measure your hips. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement.

Male: above 0.95
Female: above 0.86
Male: 0.81-0.94
Female: 0.71-0.85
Male: below 0.8
Female: below 0.7

13. HOW FLEXIBLE ARE YOU?

Test yourself: Sit with your back against a wall and your legs together, extended in front of you. Reach forwards and measure how far down your legs your fingertips can reach.

Thighs
Knee
Shin and beyond

14. HOW STRONG IS YOUR UPPER BODY?

Test yourself: Do as many push-ups (half or full push-ups) as you can in one minute.

Half push-ups

Male: 29 or less
Female: 24 or less
Male: 30-50
Female: 25-40
Male: 51 or more
Female: 41 or more

Full push-ups

Male: 9 or less
Female: 4 or less
Male: 10 -30
Female: 5 – 15
Male: 31 or more
Female: 16 or more

15. HOW STRONG ARE YOUR ABDOMINALS?

Test yourself: Do as many crunches (full sit-ups) as you can in one minute.

Male: 24 or less
Female: 24 or less
Male: 25 – 45
Female: 25 – 45
Male: 46 or more
Female: 46 or more

HOW TO WORK OUT YOUR SCORE

Your total score gives an indication of your fitness status. Here’s how to test your results. First, tick the relevant answers to the questions. Then refer to the points below. Add up the points to get your total score.

3 points
2 points
1 point

QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

A SCORE OF 18 POINTS OR LESS

This indicates an excellent attitude to exercise. You are focused on what you do and your exercise program is well planned and regular. Good work. Keep it up!

Recommendations

Remain focused and motivated.
Make sure to monitor and improve all three essential fitness components; flexibility, strength and cardiovascular training.
Vary your workouts to stay challenged.
Continue to evaluate your goals and progression.

A SCORE BETWEEN 18 AND 23 POINTS

This indicates fairly good exercise habits, which can be definitely improved. Make small changes to make that big difference to your overall health.

Recommendations

Evaluate your fitness status and set yourself achievable goals.
Aim to exercise 3 to 6 days a week, for 30 to 60 minutes duration.
Reward yourself in small ways when you get results.
Monitor your progress.
Vary your workouts to stay interested.

A SCORE OVER 23 POINTS

This indicates that you do need to seriously focus on your exercise attitude and habits. Use this evaluation as a turning point. There are areas in your fitness plan that need to be addressed and when you do make the changes, they will transform your life.

Recommendations

Evaluate your fitness status and set yourself realistic, achievable goals.
Do any form of exercise that you enjoy.
Begin by exercising thrice a week for 30 minutes duration.
Make exercise a habit.
Recognize the fact that exercise helps you look better, feel better and perform better.

HOW TO USE THIS SCORE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Once you know your score the next objective is to review your progress. The best way to do this is to maintain an exercise diary. This will serve as a record to evaluate your progress.

Box
Make small changes, don’t take a giant leap. Changes should be ones you can handle. Then slowly make improvements on that.

THE ACTION

SET YOURSELF ACHIEVABLE GOALS

Now that you know your score, figure out what you want to achieve.
An example of goal setting could be to lose 5 pounds in one month; or to exercise consistently.

HOW TO PROGRESS?

Keep a fitness diary to keep track of your fitness routine. Record your weight, flexibility, muscle strength and cardiovascular intensity and duration. Set yourself goals to focus on areas that need improvement.

HAVE FUN

The most important is to do an activity that you enjoy. You should look forward to your workout sessions.

CULTIVATE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TO EXERCISE

Physical activity can alleviate depression and stress, improve work performance and boost your level of self-esteem.

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