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How do you measure ‘fit’?

39 replies

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 18:28

Another thread had people commenting that they were fit or not fit. I’d like to be fit. Don’t know if I am. Grin
Is there a benchmark for what a mid 40s woman should be able to do to be considered fit? It might make a nice target for me I think.

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Soola · 24/07/2019 18:32

Can you run for the bus/train/your life,when needed to? Grin

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 18:34

I can but I’m purple and sweating for a good while afterwards. Grin

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SimonJT · 24/07/2019 18:35

Is it general fitness you want to improve, so cardio-vascular health, or is it also a focus on body shape etc?

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 18:36

Definitely health rather than appearance.

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SimonJT · 24/07/2019 18:40

Video’s like insanity are good to follow, you can also slow them down to an appropriate pace and slowly increase your speed.

Have you thought about couch to 5k?

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 18:43

I’d like to know what I should be aiming at though.

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SimonJT · 24/07/2019 18:45

Aiming at in what context? Sorry, my first language isn’t English so I often need things presenting in idiotic talk.

Nacreous · 24/07/2019 18:47

So you want to know "if you can run 5k/a marathon/cycle from London to Paris" you're fit?

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 18:48

Yeah or, do x number of y in z time sort of thing.
Like push ups and stuff. Or a running time etc etc.

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probstimeforanewname · 24/07/2019 18:50

I would say that if you can run a 5k in under 30 minutes you are fit.

BUT that doesn't mean that you have any muscle tone - you need to do some sort of strength and conditioning work too. I suppose another rough and ready test might be can you do 10 press-ups (on knees is fine). And can you hold a plank with good form for 30 seconds?

SimonJT · 24/07/2019 18:52

Insanity has a fit test that rates your fitness, I personally go on stamina/heart rate.

I aim to return to my resting heart rate fairly quickly if I have been doing some cardio at home.

I personally so 3/4 insanity sessions a week, 3/4 weight sessions (all at home as I’m a lone parent).

With the above I can maintain a resting heart rate of between 45/50 bpm and I then aim to lose around 25bpm after exercise when returning to my resting heart rate.

mamapants · 24/07/2019 19:05

I am interested in what people would consider fit/strong but I think there is a level of fitness that we should all aim for and then I'd have a different answer about what would make me think wow that person is fit.
So as a good minimum goal I'd think being able to run 5k.

lots33 · 24/07/2019 19:19

I’m overweight because i eat too much but I think I’m relatively fit. I do 2 circuits classes, mix of cardio and weight training, 1 boxercise and 1 personal training session. I can do a minute of press ups, a minute plank etc. I can run 5k. But still fat!😂

Camomila · 24/07/2019 19:44

DBro (paramedic) once told me a good test of general fitness is can you stand up from lying down on the floor on your back without putting your hands on the floor.

Disclaimer - no idea if this is a real thing or just a theory of my DBros. The whole family had fun having a go (DM63 does a lot of yoga had no trouble, DH30 didn't 'get it' for ages and struggled like a demented turtle)

Itsnotme123 · 24/07/2019 19:50

I hate running, my body doesn’t want to run, but I’ll lift weights, cycle, do insanity workouts, combat, and step.

I consider myself fit, but don’t ask me to run for a bus 😂

lljkk · 24/07/2019 20:18

Fit = shag appeal, I dunno how you define that

Fit = cardiovascular performance, test your heart rate recovery to find out.

Strong = can lift or push/pull/carry "a lot" but dunno what Lot is

How do you measure ‘fit’?
Yearinyearout · 24/07/2019 20:20

Anyone else just tried to stand up from lying down without using hands? I reckon I might have a chance on a big gym mat with my trainers on but no chance on my living room floor!

lljkk · 24/07/2019 20:22

Nowadays I habitually go from sitting (on floor) to standing up without using my hands. I've got at least 4 different ways to do it.

mamapants · 24/07/2019 20:23

I just tried it yearin on a wooden floor and could do it easily. I think it might be all in the technique

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 20:24

I presume flipping onto your knees isn’t part of getting up from the floor? Grin
My thighs aren’t strong enough to go cross legged to stand. Nearly though.

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Yearinyearout · 24/07/2019 20:26

I've just tried upstairs on carpet and couldn't do it there either! My level of fitness changes monthly. If I'm working a lot and can't get to the gym much it really slides...if I have time to go to all my classes I feel so much stronger. I don't think I'll ever be a runner but I can walk good distances, lift heavy boxes and climb a mountain.

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 20:30

Well yeah, I can do it if I put both feet to one side first, as in photo. Thought that’s cheating though!

How do you measure ‘fit’?
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Camomila · 24/07/2019 20:30

I do either from cross legged or I roll up (like the end of a forward roll)

The roll thing is from gymnastics as a kid, we used to spend a lot of time practising going from lying to standing or from standing to lying in a graceful way.

PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 20:31

Aha. Here says no knees.
www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/a20440531/the-stand-sit-test-that-predicts-longevity/

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PullingMySocksUp · 24/07/2019 20:33

What are your methods lljkk ?

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