Lets come up with a test of basic fitness.

[Thremp]

Pull ups are very hard in this test. Jump rope component is ridiculous. Its far too skill based. Its marginal utility decreases greatly for getting in shape once you "master" the skill.

[astroglide]

i think most 'fit' people, even those that don't work out, could do 30 pushups. 5 full-extension pullups would basically require being really skinny or lifting.

[MEbenhoe]

I had to take a test like this a couple years ago in college when I was planning on entering the fitness program here. The components of the test were:

Running (the test was done to get your VO2 max which most people obviously can't do, so replace this with a mile run or something similar)
Pushups (just however many you could do without stopping)
Crunches (number you could do in 1 minute)
Flexibility Test (the standard sit and reach test, this is an important and often forgotten factor of basic fitness)
Body Composition (again this is obviously one that can't be done)

[goodsamaritan]

If you let people use a inwad-palm grip, I think 5 pullups should be easier than 30 pushups for most people

[Alobar]

TME,

what do you think the average out of shape person runs the mile in? I was thinking it was prolly likr 8:30-9(to slow?) and figured knocking a 1-1:30 would be pretty good after 3 months of only running a couple times a week.

goodsam,

thats a good one, whats a good time to shoot for? <13? or is that too fast? I cant even remember what a 100m felt like or any time ive ever done, heh.

[Thremp]

Ugh, body comp is possibly the worst measure of "fitness"
in this sense.

[Duke]

[ QUOTE ]
pullups (palms out): 5
jump rope (you can make one for $1 so I think its ok): for at least 2 minutes

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't understand why you're concerned about people having a jump rope or not, but just assume that everyone has a pull-up bar somewhere.

[astroglide]

[ QUOTE ]
If you let people use a inwad-palm grip, I think 5 pullups should be easier than 30 pushups for most people

[/ QUOTE ]

with full extensions i'm gonna say "no way" regardless of grip.

[goodsamaritan]

[ QUOTE ]


goodsam,

thats a good one, whats a good time to shoot for? <13? or is that too fast? I cant even remember what a 100m felt like or any time ive ever done, heh.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure, hopefully some track people can chime in about whats reasonable.

Also, heart rate is another very good indicator of fitness, but I'm nt sure when you'd want to measure it and what the bench mark should be.

[astroglide]

[ QUOTE ]
what do you think the average out of shape person runs the mile in?

[/ QUOTE ]

i think the average out of shape person would have to walk some portion of the time if they're actually required to run. and even if they got to jog people aren't that good at estimating a sustainable speed.