Got a fitness test, discouraging :(

LaurenAOK
LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
in Motivation and Support
This post is basically just me whining, so thanks in advance for putting up with it.

My unversity's gym does free fitness assessments, so I decided to get one done. I've been working out diligently for months (lifting heavy weights, and several kinds of cardio) so I was expecting to do at least fairly well.

First of all, they measured my body fat with calipers and got 24.7%. I thought I was around 23%, so that was disappointing. My goal is about 18% so I have even farther to go than I thought.

Next they did the fitness tests. (Push ups, chin ups, flexibility, etc). I scored "poor" in every single category except the crunches (I've always had decent ab strength). I'm so discouraged. How is it that a girl in a healthy weight range, who works out almost every single day for months, scores an overall "poor" on a fitness assessment? I mean, if I'm poor, how would an obese person who never works out score?

I'm just really upset. I feel like all the effort isn't paying off at all. I push myself - always increase weight as often as I can, run two miles when I only feel like one... And apparently I'm still nowhere near being considered physically fit. I just want to cry!

Replies

  • Starbuck2020
    Starbuck2020 Posts: 173 Member
    No worries. You will get there. Not sure if it is an option for you, but I highly recommend a personal trainer. If not....try some fitness classes. A wide variety of them.

    My goal is 18% and I am like 34% right now. I started at 37% So you are closer than you think.
    Work up to running 30-60 min at a time. Try that 100 push-ups program. There is a 20 pull-ups program too. Take some yoga. Stretch like crazy after your run.

    That is all I have..
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Okay, from everything I have heard, the caliper test, it is difficult to get an accurate reading, so that may be off. Regarding the rest, I don't have any input. Maybe it is a military fitness test, or an olympic fitness test?
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    The main thing, is that you are DOING something about it, and working on your fitness levels, even if you are not there yet.
    Just carry on as you are, and you will get there. Many do not even try or bother with their fitness, but you are, and that is something to be proud of and you now have something more to aim for.
  • Starbuck2020
    Starbuck2020 Posts: 173 Member
    Okay, from everything I have heard, the caliper test, it is difficult to get an accurate reading, so that may be off. Regarding the rest, I don't have any input. Maybe it is a military fitness test, or an olympic fitness test?


    Not a military one. I have been in the military for 10 years. We don't test like that.
  • jallison12
    jallison12 Posts: 83
    Can you talk to the gym staff for guidance? I've been going to the gym my whole adult life. But I just wasn't doing it right or enough. I was 165 when I was 25 and was 217 December last year at 46. Since December my weight is down and probably my overall strength to, to be honest. But I'm motiviated, feel fitter and feel good.

    Honestly, you'd probably beat me in the strength tests. But I wouldn't care :happy: I'm good for me just now.
    Note that you are trying, which is more than most. ^5
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    do u train by doing pushups and chinups? If not, you shouldn't expect to be able to do them. That's all. I'm sure if the challenge was surrounding things you do regularly it would be different.
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    Okay, from everything I have heard, the caliper test, it is difficult to get an accurate reading, so that may be off. Regarding the rest, I don't have any input. Maybe it is a military fitness test, or an olympic fitness test?

    I've heard it's very difficult to get an accurate reading with ANY body fat measurement method, but that calipers are generally the most accurate. The trainer doing my assessment did mention that the tests and standards were developed by our College of Sports Medicine, meaning that they were probably based on athlete types more than just the average population. That makes me feel a little better, but I still thought I should be better than "poor"!

    Thank you all so much for the encouragement! I am feeling better already. I'm going to get another assessment in 6 weeks and I WILL improve by then!
  • jgsparks89
    jgsparks89 Posts: 85 Member
    Judge your success on your own terms!! If you are making progress, you feel strong, more comfortable in your own skin...then don't sweat it. You are accountable to please only yourself. This is your journey.

    Take it with a grain of salt and rather than let it get you down, set a goal that says "In (x) months, I will kick that test's a**."
  • SarahAFerguson
    SarahAFerguson Posts: 250 Member
    do u train by doing pushups and chinups? If not, you shouldn't expect to be able to do them. That's all. I'm sure if the challenge was surrounding things you do regularly it would be different.

    1. What she said

    2. Find out what standard you were being measured against

    3. If you want to score better on this particular test talk to the trainer who gave you the test for some pointers.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I've heard it's very difficult to get an accurate reading with ANY body fat measurement method, but that calipers are generally the most accurate. T

    I don't know what the margin of error is, but if it is say 2%, then you are right in the ballpark and not far off what you thought.

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