New Fitness Test for Adults Launched

Washington, Dc — The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports launched a new national fitness test for adults last month.

The adult fitness test is for people 18 and older who are in good health. The self-test involves a one-mile walk or a 1.5-mile run to test aerobic fitness; sit-ups or push-ups to test muscular strength and endurance; a sit-and-reach test to measure flexibility; and a body mass index test to assess body composition.

The run and walk can be completed on a track or treadmill. The run is not recommended for those who do not run for at least 20 minutes, three times a week. Push-ups are done until failure; sit-ups are done for one minute.

The online self-test is available at www.adultfitnesstest.org. Unlike in school, presidential certificates are not awarded.

“The adult fitness test has been adopted from the youth fitness test many of us remember taking in school,” says Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. “Now, adults have a test to measure their overall fitness and guide them toward a healthier, more active life.”

The official launch of the adult fitness test took place at Results Gym in Washington, DC. Representatives from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association were on hand, as were Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson, U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) and “The Biggest Loser” contestant Bernardo “Bernie” Salazar. Fitness expert Denise Austin, a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, led a group of adults through a demonstration of the test.

After taking the adult fitness test, participants can also sign up for the President's Challenge, which is offered online at www.presidentschallenge.org.