How Do You Know If You're Unfit?

Take your heart rate again after resting for one minute. It should continue to decrease at about that same rate for each minute after until it reaches your resting heart rate. If you have a slow heart rate drop, it could possibly indicate that you are unfit.

Tip! While exercising, find something that will take your mind off of the physical activity you're doing. The reason people listen to music or watch television while working out is that it tricks your brain into thinking the time has flown by.

Because the body has to work harder at rest than someone that is fit, unfit people generally have a higher resting heart rate. A normal heart rate should be in the low to mid 70's beats per minute. It could be an indicator you are unfit if your resting heart rate is above 75.

Unfit people generally have a higher resting heart rate because the body has to work harder at rest than someone that is fit. If your resting heart rate is above 75, it could be an indicator you are unfit.

There are tests you can take that depending on the results, can be indications if you are unfit or not. Specifically they include:

Body Mass Index Heart Recovery Rate
Resting Heart Rate
Cardiovascular Strength
Resting Heart Rate.

Tip! The best way to ensure you stick with getting regular exercise is to do things you enjoy doing. Getting an effective workout does not have to mean working out on boring machines like treadmills.

BMI is an assessment of body weight to height. Both are factored into a formula to come up with a number. Depending if you are above or below the ideal BMI indicates if you are fit or not.

According to most BMI calculators found online, you are considered at a normal weight for your height if your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. While BMI is an indicator, it is not the only indicator.

This indicator measures how fast your heart rate returns to normal after exercising. Before you stop your workout, take your heart rate. Take your heart rate again after resting for one minute. It should have dropped by 20 beats per minute or more in that first minute after you stopped exercising. It should continue to drop at about that same rate for each minute after until it reaches your resting heart rate. If you have a slow heart rate drop, it could indicate that you are unfit.

 

Tip! If you're dedicated to getting in shape, consider hiring a personal trainer. A personal trainer will teach you new exercises, help you develop a program that is adapted to your current level and help you stay motivated.

This is a measurement of the fitness of your heart and lungs. It is a simple test. A fit person can walk up three flights of stairs and be able to carry on a conversation at the same time. An unfit person will have to stop part way up to catch their breath and will most like already be perspiring.

Tip! To exercise your calf muscles, try heel ups. All you have to do is stand up like normally.

Heart Recovery Rate

These are just four of the many fitness tests available. Keep in mind the results from each test are just indicators as to whether you may be unfit or not. While failing one test may not mean you are unfit, failing two or more could be cause for concern and you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional for more in-depth tests regarding your fitness level and overall health. He or she can prescribe an exercise regimen and diet that will improve your level of fitness if found unfit.

Body Mass Index (BMI).

Cardiovascular Strength.