Fitness Testing: Cardio, Flexibility, Strength, Body Composition

A fitness test, also known as a fitness assessment, is comprised of a series of exercises that help evaluate your overall health and physical status. There is wide of range of standardized tests used for these exams, some of which are intended for medical purposes and others of which establish whether you are qualified to participate (such as with the Army combat readiness test).

For general health and fitness purposes, the tests are considered the starting point for designing an appropriate exercise program. They are meant to ensure you won't be at risk of harm and provide the trainer with the insights needed to establish clear and effective fitness goals.

General Health Evaluation

Woman stretching with a trainer — Mike Harrington/Getty Images

Before starting a fitness program, it is important to share your medical history with your trainer and to get the necessary approvals from your doctor to proceed.

Most fitness specialists will use one or more screening tools to help determine your baseline health. This may include obtaining vital sign measurements such as your height, weight, resting heart rate (RHR), and resting blood pressure (RBP).

Many trainers will also use a physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q) comprised of seven or more questions related to your general health. Among the questions, you may be asked about the types of medications you take, any problems you have with dizziness or pain, or any medical condition that may impair your ability to exercise.

Body Composition Testing

Dr. checking woman's body composition with calipers — Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Body composition describes the different components that make up your total body weight, including your muscles, bones, and fat. The most common methods for estimating body composition include:

Body mass index (BMI), a generalized calculation of body fat based on your height and weight
Skinfold measurements in which calipers are used to estimate how much body fat there is in a fold of skin
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in which electrical signals are sent from electrodes through the soles of your feet to your abdomen to estimate your body composition

Cardiovascular Endurance Testing

Woman using home treadmill equipment — Martin Barraud/OJO Images/Getty Images

Cardiovascular endurance testing, also known as stress testing, measures how efficiently your heart and lungs work to supply oxygen and energy to your body during physical activity.

Among the three most common tests used:

12-minute run tests are performed on a treadmill and compare your pre-exercise heart and respiration rates with your post-exercise heart and respiration rates.
VO2 max testing is performed on a treadmill or stationary bike and uses a breathing device to measure your maximum rate of oxygen consumption during an activity.
Exercise stress testing is also performed on a treadmill or stationary bike and involves the use of a heart monitor and blood pressure cuff to measure your vital signs during exercise.

Some trainers will incorporate exercises such as sit-ups or push-ups to get a qualitative measurement of how you respond to specific exercises. These baseline results can be used at a later date to see if your health and fitness levels have improved.

Strength and Endurance Testing

Woman doing push-up — Erik Isakson/Getty Images

Strength testing measures the maximal amount of force a muscle group can exert at one time. Muscle endurance testing, by comparison, measures the length of time a muscle group can contract and release before it fatigues.

The exercises standardly used include the push-up test and core strength and stability test. In some cases, a trainer will use a metronome to see how long can you keep up with the rhythm. The results are then compared to people of the same age group and sex to establish your baseline levels.

Strength and endurance tests are valuable as they help the trainer pinpoint which muscle groups are stronger and which are vulnerable and in need of focused attention.

Flexibility Testing

Photo of a young active woman stretching her hamstrings. — Take a Pix Media / Getty Images

Measuring the flexibility of your joints is vital in determining whether you have postural imbalances, foot instability, or limitations in your range of motion.

There are a variety of tests used to measure flexibility. Among them:

Sit-and-reach testing is used to measure tightness in your lower back and hamstring muscles. The test is performed while sitting on the floor with your legs fully extended. Flexibility is measured by the number of inches your hands are from your feet when reaching forward.
Shoulder flexibility testing, sometimes called the zipper test, evaluates the flexibility and mobility of your shoulder joint. It involves reaching behind your neck and between your shoulders with one hand while reaching behind your back and toward your shoulders with the other. Flexibility is measured by how many inches apart your hands are from each other.
Trunk lift testing is used to measure tightness in your lower back. It is performed while lying face-down on the floor. With your arms at your side, you would be asked to lift your upper body with just your back muscles. Flexibility is measured by how many inches you are able to lift yourself off the ground.