How fit should a man be?

Joeyjoejoe83

Weird title I know, but having embarked on a bid to be fitter, I was wondering what men in general feel should be the standard in order to be considered physically fit. I am putting this in tGC as I am looking for normal men's opinions and not fitness junkies.

Eg, I feel you should be able to run a 10k in <50mins, do 100 sit ups and 50 press ups, each without breaks.

omniscient_toad

Being able to run a certain distance and possibly the pressups I agree with but I think situps are one of the most pointless measurements/exercises around, a reasonable number of pullups would be a much better test, maybe 10?

Galvasean

Situps are easy. I'm not fit at all but can do 500 easy without stopping (well I say 'easy' but I'd probably get bored during).
I would assume a better indication of one's physical fitness would be how long they can sustain a pacey jog/slowish run for.

Bloody Nipples

I can run 10k in about 39 mins (or I used to :P it's the off season right now) but I couldn't do 50 pushups. I think a man should be fit enough so that it doesn't negatively impact his health.

Apart from that, it's pretty academic in this day and age.

Bloody Nipples

And yeah sit ups are piss, crunches are a much tougher test of the stomach muscles.

mikemac

Used to be a good runner, 10k in about 42 minutes but you know, I wasn't fit overall.
No way could I do 50 pushups, weak as a kitten.
So I could do 13 mile runs every week but put me on a site labouring and I'd be useless. So not a fit man

I think you'll have to include pullups in that list, a good test of fitness

Josh_Calvert

Ultimately only two measures count:

1: Your self esteem and self satisfaction

2: Whatever encourages women to let you have sex with them


Generally one leads to the other

I can't run very far or do even one push up but I can do static strength stuff easy as pie.

It only matters that you help your dna give you the best it has, not measuring up against other men or abstract standards.

Swampy

That's it. I'm heading back to the BGRH forum!!:mad:

BopNiblets

A man should be able to carry all the shopping in from the car boot in one go, including the spuds.

Beefcake!

pajunior

I think running is a pretty bad indication of physical fitness, as well as outdated and terrible in the long run for your joints.
Think about it this way, have a look at an olympic sprinter and an olympic 5k runner. Who would you honestly prefer to look like?

I think a much better indication would be to take several different base exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, rows, squats etc and see how many sets of 10 each you can do in 20 minutes.

As for the actual question I think as someone said above its all about how you feel. I've been up and down the fitness ladder quite a bit (never too far down thankfully) and can say that after a certain level up that ladder you just simply start to feel great. Hard to put a finger on it but you just have more energy, you look at yourself in the mirror and smile, your gf/wife or maybe other women will start to look at you differently. The best part is once you start to feel that way working out goes from, something that has to be done, to something that you look forward to.

Rycn

One-arm Pushups x 10 each side
One-leg squats x 10 each side
Pullups x 10
Hanging Leg Raises x 20
Bridges x 20
Handstand Pushups x 15

If you can do this you are a real man.

entropi

Rycn wrote: »

One-arm Pushups x 10 each side
One-leg squats x 10 each side
Pullups x 10
Hanging Leg Raises x 20
Bridges x 20
Handstand Pushups x 15

If you can do this you are a real man.

You found this where, Teamtest?:rolleyes:

FloatingVoter

Not very, isn't there help available for that sort of thing ?

Rycn

Master of Nothing wrote: »

You found this where, Teamtest?:rolleyes:

No, my brain.

jugger0

I think you should be strong and fit, id be embarrassed and ashamed if i wasnt. Shocking how many people cant do a single pushup...

Darlughda

Well, this reply is not going to be popular,
But, honestly speaking fit enough to be on top.

Wolfe Tone

Ha, I dont think Im fit but I can easily do 60/70 press ups without a break and easily 150 sit ups(so boring!!) dunno bout 10k though.

Hail 2 Da Thief

Joeyjoejoe83 wrote: »

Eg, I feel you should be able to run a 10k in <50mins, do 100 sit ups and 50 press ups, each without breaks.

You can't really look at it in such a simplistic way. You can only judge your personnel fitness levels relative to the sport/s you're training in.
For example, Pro cyclists are cycling fit but wouldn't be able to run for sh!t & vice versa.

I think situps are one of the most pointless measurements/exercises around

Again, it's all relative. I've trained in submission wrestling and strengthening the core area was a fundamental part of training as the benefits are big for that specific sport.

Rycn

Master of Nothing wrote: »

You found this where, Teamtest?:rolleyes:

Fill me in on the secret joke?

--LOS--

as fit as you want to be? Who are you doing it for OP, you or someone else.

Bottle_of_Smoke

I think guys should be able to benchpress their own weight for 10 reps. I'm workin toward it - can do 10 reps for 80% of my current weight

jugger0

Hail 2 Da Thief wrote: »

You can't really look at it in such a simplistic way. You can only judge your personnel fitness levels relative to the sport/s you're training in.
For example, Pro cyclists are cycling fit but wouldn't be able to run for sh!t & vice versa.



Again, it's all relative. I've trained in submission wrestling and strengthening the core area was a fundamental part of training as the benefits are big for that specific sport.

Situps are very bad for your spine, theres alot of better core exercises out there that dont stress the spine as much.

--LOS--

situps should not be as easy as people here claim them to be if you are doing them right

Carpenter

To all @ what age

Wibbs

--LOS-- wrote: »

situps should not be as easy as people here claim them to be if you are doing them right

This. If you're capable of 50+ pressups and 100 + situps, then you're a) pretty fit, b) doing them incorrectly or c) a fantasist/lying. Delete as applicable. My take anyway.

Darlughda wrote:

Well, this reply is not going to be popular,
But, honestly speaking fit enough to be on top.

Funny enough I'd agree with that. If you're able for vigorous sex in the oul missionary it's a good sign of fitness I reckon. For a start you can get and keep it up, so your endocrine system and blood vessels would appear to be tip top. You'll need pretty good core strength for thrusting and enough upper body strength to take some of your weight. If you are able to sustain it for as long as it takes then you've got pretty good cardio fitness too.

itsallaboutheL

Rycn wrote: »

One-arm Pushups x 10 each side
One-leg squats x 10 each side
Pullups x 10
Hanging Leg Raises x 20
Bridges x 20
Handstand Pushups x 15

If you can do this you are a real man.

if you can do that you're either a gymnast or weigh 60kg

Master of Nothing wrote: »

You found this where, Teamtest?:rolleyes:

what's that supposed to mean?

Rycn

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

if you can do that you're either a gymnast or weigh 60kg

I can't do it, but i'm working up to it.

Tar.Aldarion

Would echo people not doing situps right finding it easy. Also I really would recommend crunches over them for your back, and as I've started back at them recently heh.

For some reason I can only run on treadmills or my knee is incredibly sore, have an old sports injury, I would have thought that they would be more harsh on your joints?

JayRoc

Rycn wrote: »

One-arm Pushups x 10 each side
One-leg squats x 10 each side
Pullups x 10
Hanging Leg Raises x 20
Bridges x 20
Handstand Pushups x 15

If you can do this you are a real man.

Master of Nothing wrote: »

You found this where, Teamtest?:rolleyes:

Ah here, don't be dragging us into this! If someone came along and said he could do all of that I'd boot him off the site and back to ilovejustinbieber.com

General rule is: lots of bodyweight exercises = he must be a skinny bastard

misterdeeds

pajunior wrote: »

I think running is a pretty bad indication of physical fitness, as well as outdated and terrible in the long run for your joints.
Think about it this way, have a look at an olympic sprinter and an olympic 5k runner. Who would you honestly prefer to look like?

I think a much better indication would be to take several different base exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, rows, squats etc and see how many sets of 10 each you can do in 20 minutes.

As for the actual question I think as someone said above its all about how you feel. I've been up and down the fitness ladder quite a bit (never too far down thankfully) and can say that after a certain level up that ladder you just simply start to feel great. Hard to put a finger on it but you just have more energy, you look at yourself in the mirror and smile, your gf/wife or maybe other women will start to look at you differently. The best part is once you start to feel that way working out goes from, something that has to be done, to something that you look forward to.

olympic 5k runner wtf???

--LOS--

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Would echo people not doing situps right finding it easy. Also I really would recommend crunches over them for your back, and as I've started back at them recently heh.

For some reason I can only run on treadmills or my knee is incredibly sore, have an old sports injury, I would have thought that they would be more harsh on your joints?

oh I've actually mixed up sit-ups for crunches.

entropi

Rycn wrote: »

No, my brain.

That's part of my point....read on after the next quotes

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

if you can do that you're either a gymnast or weigh 60kg

what's that supposed to mean?

JayRoc wrote: »

Ah here, don't be dragging us into this! If someone came along and said he could do all of that I'd boot him off the site and back to ilovejustinbieber.com

General rule is: lots of bodyweight exercises = he must be a skinny bastard

JayRoc, fully agreed...sounds like a hell of alot of bodyweight stuff...it may be good for building a bit of strength, but lifting is always gonna help if they are capable of it. To yourself and L, I only named that forum as the more popular example of where someone will look for a training program/fitness evaluation and get so many answers from so many people, that you can't really believe what you hear too much...do what works for you. If it seemed like a bit of a pissy answer, I apologise.

IMO, general fitness for a man is not defined by a set standard of rules by any one person/group: it depends on previous fitness levels, potential, diet, sport or employment can influence what is deemed fit or not. Take for example sports...there could be a guy playing Sunday league soccer who is very fit by a regular guy's standards, but would pale in comparison to a professional. Same with stuff like powerlifting: if you are not committed to it, you certainly won't do as well as someone who trains for that purpose.

The average guy should have a base level of fitness, something that will allow him to carry out everyday tasks without a risk of injury. If he wants to aim higher, then so be it...just do it either a supervised or safe way.

amacachi

Sub 6 minute mile, bodyweight bench, 1.5x bodyweight squat, 2x bodyweight deadlift and 100 press-ups.
Someday.

G86

amacachi wrote: »

Sub 6 minute mile, bodyweight bench, 1.5x bodyweight squat, 2x bodyweight deadlift and 100 press-ups.
Someday.

+1

I'm a girl and I'd be aiming for the above too, so I'd generally expect a guy who considered himself 'fit' to be doing the same.

norrie rugger

G86 wrote: »

+1

I'm a girl and I'd be aiming for the above too, so I'd generally expect a guy who considered himself 'fit' to be doing the same.

Would struggle for that. Not by much mind, as I have not been in the gym in months but the fact that you are both "aiming" for that shows that this is not just standard fitness.
I am a fat mess and could only aim for that because we have been training for almost 7 months.
I will take your level of fitness and ask you to play a full match of rugby/soccer/hurling/football.
I echo what other people state, it depends on what you are trying to be fit for. Doing loads of weights etc does not make you fit in the cardio sense and doing cardio does not make you fit in the strength sense

G86

norrie rugger wrote: »

Would struggle for that. Not by much mind, as I have not been in the gym in months but the fact that you are both "aiming" for that shows that this is not just standard fitness.
I am a fat mess and could only aim for that because we have been training for almost 7 months.
I will take your level of fitness and ask you to play a full match of rugby/soccer/hurling/football.
I echo what other people state, it depends on what you are trying to be fit for. Doing loads of weights etc does not make you fit in the cardio sense and doing cardio does not make you fit in the strength sense

Hmmm, I get what you're saying, but I think it's good standard measure for anyone tbh; it's not just about 'lifting weights', it's about the strength that they also need for their sport.

Also, there was a sub 6min mile in that - so there's your cardio:)

Joeyjoejoe83

amacachi wrote: »

Sub 6 minute mile, bodyweight bench, 1.5x bodyweight squat, 2x bodyweight deadlift and 100 press-ups.
Someday.

Hmm to me this seems like a lot for normal fitness, this is what I would consider very fit. Maybe 7 minute mile, 80% bodyweight for both squats and bench and 100 press ups, but I'm 6'4" and weight 104kg so my levels seem a bit higher!

itsallaboutheL

Joeyjoejoe83 wrote: »

Hmm to me this seems like a lot for normal fitness, this is what I would consider very fit. Maybe 7 minute mile, 80% bodyweight for both squats and bench and 100 press ups, but I'm 6'4" and weight 104kg so my levels seem a bit higher!

100 press ups =/= 80% BW bench!

These people going on about 500 situps and 100 press ups are either very very light or delusional

Bottle_of_Smoke

amacachi wrote: »

Sub 6 minute mile, bodyweight bench, 1.5x bodyweight squat, 2x bodyweight deadlift and 100 press-ups.
Someday.

how many reps for the compound lifts?

Joeyjoejoe83

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

100 press ups =/= 80% BW bench!

These people going on about 500 situps and 100 press ups are either very very light or delusional

Sorry meant thats what I'd aspire to, but agree with the delusional part. Clearly not doing them right if 500 sit ups are a piece of piss.

G86

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

These people going on about 500 situps and 100 press ups are either very very light or delusional

Or very very hot...:D

amacachi

G86 wrote: »

+1

I'm a girl and I'd be aiming for the above too, so I'd generally expect a guy who considered himself 'fit' to be doing the same.

I'd be a long way off and haven't worked out in ages, and I'm very overweight and unfit but if my dad could do it...

norrie rugger wrote: »

Would struggle for that. Not by much mind, as I have not been in the gym in months but the fact that you are both "aiming" for that shows that this is not just standard fitness.
I am a fat mess and could only aim for that because we have been training for almost 7 months.
I will take your level of fitness and ask you to play a full match of rugby/soccer/hurling/football.
I echo what other people state, it depends on what you are trying to be fit for. Doing loads of weights etc does not make you fit in the cardio sense and doing cardio does not make you fit in the strength sense

Obviously cardio training doesn't make your lifts better or vice-versa, hence why I mentioned a few different areas.I'm a lardarse and am very week but 80% bodyweight squat

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

These people going on about 500 situps and 100 press ups are either very very light or delusional

Ya think? My dad used to do one-handed pressups til I got bored of counting, he would've been in his very late thirties at the time with a bad back and beer belly starting to form. :pac:

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

how many reps for the compound lifts?

Just the one.

itsallaboutheL

G86 wrote: »

Or very very hot...:D

amacachi wrote: »

Ya think? My dad used to do one-handed pressups til I got bored of counting, he would've been in his very late thirties at the time with a bad back and beer belly starting to form. :pac:

I don't want to doubt you. But..

amacachi

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

I don't want to doubt you. But..

Any particular reason I'd make it up?

mikom

Joeyjoejoe83 wrote: »

How fit should a man be?

I knew a lad who had a 6 days/per week workout regimen that included....

stretching up to 40 minutes before each session
core exercises
endurance runs of 7 miles
speed runs of 3 miles
along with weight training.

His wife and children did not think him much of a man.

Tiger woods

SugarHigh

amacachi wrote: »

Any particular reason I'd make it up?

I don't think you're making it up as I'm sure you genuinely believe it, just like some people genuinely believe they can do 50 pull ups and then they show you their form.:D

itsallaboutheL

amacachi wrote: »

Any particular reason I'd make it up?

SugarHigh wrote: »

I don't think you're making it up as I'm sure you genuinely believe it, just like some people genuinely believe they can do 50 pull ups and then they show you their form.:D

This.

And the fact that i thought my dad was the srtongest person in the world when i was a kid, i didn't do half the **** my 5 year old brain thought he did.

scientific1982

Fit enough to help the women folk and elderly in your family lift heavy things. After that, meh.

amacachi

SugarHigh wrote: »

I don't think you're making it up as I'm sure you genuinely believe it, just like some people genuinely believe they can do 50 pull ups and then they show you their form.:D

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

This.

And the fact that i thought my dad was the srtongest person in the world when i was a kid, i didn't do half the **** my 5 year old brain thought he did.

Well I was there when it happened. I'm not sure how bad someone's pressup form can be when their back is already done in. :pac: My dad was ridiculously strong for his size though and it's only since he hit 50 that the dad strength started to fade. I'm not going to bore yous with his height/weight coz if yous don't wanna believe it that's your prerogative.

L31mr0d

I don't think a man needs to necessarily be at a particular level of fitness. I do however think a man should always be striving to be fitter.

Laziness of mind or body or both are disdainful characteristics imho.

Bottle_of_Smoke

amacachi wrote: »

Just the one.

That's probably reasonable for bench/squats. but 2x your weight for deadlift seems excesive. I think you'd have to be training hard and eating well for a long time before achieving that.