Are you MAN Fit?
08-18-07
The September 2007 issue of Men’s Health magazine again lists a number of criteria to determine your fitness level. At first glance, these 5 exercises elicit a response of, Oh, hell no! But then I began thinking about it, and I think that by this time next summer, I could successfully accomplish a couple of these feats of strength and agility.
1) Single Leg Squat – Stand on a bench. Hold your arms in front of you and flex your left ankle so your toes point up. Keep your torso upright, bend your right knee and slowly lower your body until your left heel touches the floor. Pause 1 second, then push yourself up.
0 reps = Out of Shape
1 rep = Average
3 reps = Fit
More than 5 reps = MAN Fit
2) 1-Mile Run – Go to your local track and take 4-laps.
More than 10 minutes = Out of Shape
8 minutes = Average
7 minutes = Fit
Less than 6 minutes = MAN Fit
3) Vertical Jump – Against a wall, extend your arm and mark your reach with chalk. Then jump as high as you can and make another mark. The space between marks is your vertical jump.
Less than 16″ = Out of Shape
16-18″ = Average
18-24″ = Fit
More than 24″ = MAN Fit
4) Chin-Up – Start from a full hang, hands shoulder-width apart, palms toward you. Pull your chin over the bar, and then lower your body back down.
0 reps = Out of Shape
4 reps = Average
8 reps = Fit
More than 9 reps = MAN Fit
5) Push-Up – Assume the classic push-up position: legs straight, hands beneath your shoulders. Brace your abs. Keeping your body rigid, lower yourself until your chest touches the floor. Then push back up until your arms are extended.
Less than 20 reps = Out of Shape
20-34 = Average
35-44 = Fit
More than 45 = MAN Fit
So, how would you do?
OK then, that was depressing!
#3: Even in high school, at the height of my athletic prowess, I had no jumping ability. This white boy just didn’t have any hops.
PS–got the note, and I concur 100%. You da man around here now, and I just wanted to run it across your desk.
I think I have #2 licked. Granted, I am going by “running” the mile on an eliptical trainer. Can we count that?
PS – I appreciate your support.
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