A private fitness assessment evaluates your current levels of fitness. This can help provide you with a baseline from which you can create a bespoke training plan to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. It can also help identify underlying health issues you may not be aware of.
During a fitness assessment, you will undergo a series of tests to measure your:
- Heart rate - before and after exercise
- The percentage of oxygen in your blood
- Your VO2 Max cardiovascular score
Heart rate measurement
Testing your heart rate provides insights into your resting heart rate as well as how well your heart recovers following exercise. During a private fitness assessment, your heart rate is tested at various points, usually at rest before exercise commences and after exercise. For most healthy adults, a normal resting heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower resting heart rate is associated with more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.
Percentage of oxygen in blood measurement
The percentage of oxygen in your blood is measured during a fitness assessment, as this can provide a helpful indication of your physical fitness. Generally, the fitter you are, the better your body is at getting oxygen into the bloodstream. Blood oxygen level is usually measured as a percentage and should ideally range between 95 to 100%.
VO2 Max cardiovascular measurement
Your VO2 Max cardiovascular score is also assessed during a fitness assessment, as this is widely accepted as the best measure of cardiovascular fitness and endurance. A VO2 Max cardiovascular score measures how much oxygen your body uses while exercising. The more oxygen you inhale, the more energy your body can use and the higher your VO2 Max cardiovascular score. VO2 Max cardiovascular score can be especially helpful for people planning to take on endurance events like a marathon or triathlon.
