TEST TO BE YOUR BEST

THINK YOU QUALIFY AS A "FIT" GUY? IN THE ALL-IMPORTANT CATEGORIES OF STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, CONDITIONING, AND SHEER POWER, HOW DO YOU STACK UP TO THE AVERAGE GUY? WELL, READ ON - BECAUSE WE'VE ASSEMBLED THE ULTIMATE SELF-EXAMINATION SO YOU CAN FIND OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL.

- BILL BRADLEY

FITNESS TESTS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR AGES-FROM the laughably easy (remember primary school's Physical Education? When you had to loaf around the field for an entire period) to the downright dangerous (see: The Coast Guard's "Multi", page 86). But in the past couple of years, these evaluators of endurance and strength have been getting increasingly hardcore: The US Army, for instance, plans to retire its outdated test of push-ups, sit-ups, and long-distance running and roll out a new blistering battery of sprints, rows, and plyometrics. The US Navy also announced it has refurbished its testing process. And just last year the FBI updated its physical exam for the first time in 15 years, turning it into a four-part timed test featuring a 2.4-kilometre run, body-weight exercises, and sprinting. And it got us thinking: Why should you have to enlist just to take a fitness test? After all, what better way is there to gauge your head-to-toe physical capabilities and discover the areas you need to work on - than putting yourself through a thorough, exhausting examination? So, with the help of several top trainers, we assembled the definitive baseline fitness test: Only if you can complete this can you really be considered "fit". Here's how it works: In each of four categories - strength, flexibility, conditioning, and power - we've laid out one or two simple exercise challenges. (For best results, complete each category on a separate day, or at least hours enough apart that your abilities aren't compromised.) If you pass, you're a badass-though you'll definitely want to check out our instructions for taking your fitness to an even higher level. If you fail, don't sweat it: We'll tell you what to do to get your body up to par. Think you'll make the grade? Well, get a good night's sleep, because you're about to find out.

FITNESS TEST CATEGORY 1: STRENGTH

Know your own strength