Why do you exercise? Whether you want to increase your energy, reduce the risk of health complications, or lose some weight, how do you know if it’s working for you?  That’s where fitness tests come in, they’re a great motivational tool to help you achieve your goals.

Measuring your fitness level regularly is one way to find out if you’re making progress. In the coming months AMC training will be organizing a ‘Fitness testing’ day for all our clients and any Tennis/Squash players that feel they would benefit from the test.  We have trained staff who can evaluate your body composition, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance.

What is a fitness test?

‘A Fitness test, also referred to as fitness evaluation or fitness assessment, includes a series of measurements that help determine your health status and physical fitness. These tests are often the starting point for designing an appropriate exercise program or a way of measuring current progress’

There are numerous tests and measurements that trainers can use to determine an individual’s baseline fitness level.  Such as a step test to determine cardio fitness or one rep max tests for strength.

Each of these tests will help to:

·      Determine current health conditions, risks or limitations with Flexibility and Cardio health tests

·      Assess current fitness level – using Strength & Agility tests

·      Identify appropriate training options - How to improve your game, lose more weight, to become stronger and fitter.

·      Establish methods to track progress and evaluate program success in your future or current programmes

Get a Baseline — The initial fitness testing session can give you an idea of where your fitness levels are at the start of a program, so that future testing can be compared to this and any changes can be noted.

Compare Results to Others — By comparing results to others such as successful athletes in your sport or your classmates, you can see the areas which need improvement, and the fitness program can be modified accordingly.

Identify Weaknesses and Strengths — You can determine your strengths and weaknesses by comparing fitness test results to other athletes in the same training group, the same sport, or in a similar population group.

Design a Program — Once the areas of strength and weakness have been identified, an appropriate training program can de designed to workout efficiently and maximize gains by concentrating your efforts on the areas of greatest need.

Monitor Progress — Comparing fitness test results to a baseline or previous test can be used to monitor your changes in fitness. Testing sessions should be planned at the beginning of a new training phase, and at least at the end of each phase. The period between tests may range from two weeks to six months. It usually takes a minimum of 2-6 weeks to see a noticeable change in any aspect of fitness.

Assess Goals — Specific and general fitness goals should be set after the initial testing. By repeating the tests at regular intervals, you can get an idea of the effectiveness of the training program and whether your goals are being achieved.

Provide Incentives — The incentive to improve can often be provided by the ‘goal’ of a certain test score. By knowing that they will be tested again at a later date, you can aim to improve in that area.

(Info based on a Sports testing website)

 

Keep an eye out on our website for testing day dates and times.