Do you consider yourself fit, only to find yourself struggling for breath when you run upstairs? Yes, we find that frustrating too. But don't be disheartened, sometimes it's hard to keep track of improvements in your fitness when you're training or taking exercise on a regular basis.
Take this five-step DIY fitness test every six weeks, and record your results, to see if your training regime is making a difference.
Step 1: Run a mile as fast as you can, and measure the time it takes you.
Step 2: Follow your one-mile run with a minute of continuous press ups. How many can you do in a minute?
Step 3: Next, perform a minute of sit-ups. How many?
Step 4: Do a vertical jump: jump as high as you can next to a wall, reaching as high as you can with your hand. Mark the point, if you can, or remember how high you could touch.
Step 5: Your final challenge is the sit-and-reach test. This demonstrates your flexibility, and involves sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, reaching out with your arms as far as you can..
Performing these five fitness test steps every six weeks should you give you a good idea of whether you are making progress.
