fitness tests....

[winsomehill]

I read somewhere on beachbody about this fitness test where you wear a heart monitor while timing yourself doing 2 minutes of jumping jacks. When you get to the end you check your heart rate. Then you check it again after one minute, two, three, four, and five.
I tried this out this morning and got 147,99,94,88,80, and 79. I think the point of this is to do the test again in say a month, and see what your progress is. But, I know nothing about this and was wondering if someone would help me out. Is it an improvement if the numbers go up or if they go down?
Does anyone know any other fitness tests to do in a similar way? I think it would be fun to do a bunch and be able to monitor improvements.
Heather

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

You want the numbers to go down, which means your heart is more efficient at pumping blood throughout your entire body.

Carole has some fitness test information that I think will help...I am sure she will see this and hopefully can help.

I do have to laugh if P90X is claiming to increase cardio capacity...that's more up Cathe's ally. P90X is not very challenging in the cardio department. Maybe the jacks he does during each warm up will help cardio...

 

[winsomehill]

Interesting, I have p90x on order and am really looking forward to it. But, I don't know what I'll do without my Cathe! Do you think a hybrid of the two is better than just devoting 30-60-or 90(!!!) days to p90x alone?
Sorry I've switched topics on my own post!
Any response to the first topic is much appreciated too!
Heather

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I worked Cathe in during the P90X rotation. I did GS Legs or PLB on Tuesdays because the leg work in P90X is weak. Also, during the recovery weeks (they come every 4th week)...I did ALL Cathe!!!