YMCA "Wellness Assessment"

Sophie · 30-May-07, 04:34 PM

What a complete joke. I don't even know where to start.

She used a hand-held electrical impedance device to measure body fat. I have a Tanita scale and I get the same reading no matter what time of day and surprise surprise, I got the same reading on her hand held one, 21.5%.

She didn't seem to understand muscle weighs more than fat and told me I wouldn't want me BMI much higher (it's about 22 right now). My friend of the family (like a dad to me) said he wanted my BMI higher because of the muscle and see basically said not to let it get higher.

I have NO CLUE how the hell she was measuring me. I measured myself before I left and her measurements were more than mine on everything. My hips are 37 and she got 40. She was reading a good thumbs length away from where the tape measure actually was.

We did the "step test" to find out cardiovascular endurance. After three minutes of doing the step ups, my heart rate was 180. According to the chart that is "very poor." Now, last time I checked, albeit it was in elementary school in 4-H, you took your heart rate after you were done and 1 or 3 minutes afterwards and then subtracted one from the other to get the number you look up on the cart. She did NOT do that. She just used to number she got when I was done.

She had me do chest press and then do push ups, and I mean CLOSE pushups, hands were about shoulder width apart. I'm not used to doing them that close and didn't think that was the "correct" way of doing it.

Jackal · 30-May-07, 09:15 PM

I had the same problems with the YMCA trainers. I did a wellness test a long time ago and ditched that. Now I only have them 7 point measure me for bodyfat testing ever so often only when I can get the trainer I know who can do it right to do it.

**minime** · 30-May-07, 09:25 PM

did you have to pay for that service? Thats terrible, they should use calipers to take your body fat, but even if she did use them she would have used them wrong!!

For bodyfat, just go by appearance in the mirror or photo comparisons.

The last time I went running outside my heart rate was up and around 180 for 12 minutes straight and I am in pretty good shape last time I checked

Sophie · 30-May-07, 09:28 PM

no, I did NOPT pay for it. I am a member so it was free. I had planned to get it again at the end of the summer to "compare" but I"ll pass. IT would have cost $30. I'll just use the site i posted in another thread for BF%. And at least I know how to use a tape measure.

**LiftGirl** · 31-May-07, 04:03 PM

It sounds to me like she's just not very careful or knowlegable.

Who's heart rate doesn't go up when they do cardiovascular work?

Sophie · 31-May-07, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

It sounds to me like she's just not very careful or knowlegable.

Who's heart rate doesn't go up when they do cardiovascular work?

She forgot to wiat the 1 minute after the stepping to measure the heart rate. Even on the paper she gave me it says heart rate AFTER a 1 minute rest.

CF-OC_gal · 31-May-07, 10:34 PM

Hi Sophie,

It doesn't sound like she explained the test very well. I hope you asked her questions about it, the ones you've raised here.

Remember no matter what method you use to measure body fat, it is a change you are looking for. So if you are wanting to lose bodyfat then aim for a drop in your score on the Tanita next time you get checked. There can be a +/- 5% error or more in the method of testing you had done. The number doesn't matter as much as the direction of the change you are making.

BMI is used for seeing how you score statistically against the average population. This does not account for more muscular people or those who are naturally lean and healthy. Take it for what it is. Consider your BMI in combination with your BF %. I'd say you are scoring well so far.

Tape measurement will vary from person to person taking them. It's not unusual for someone other than yourself to get larger numbers. The only time it matters is if they are being passed on to someone making custom fitted clothing for you. Again, watch which way the the number goes. Consistency in who and where the measurement it taken on the body makes all the difference. Most people don't get the tape low enough to be the fullest part of the hips on themselves. It is often 9" below the natural waistline.

There are lots of CV endurance tests. You should ask for clarification on this one. I doubt they are still using the same one as was used in your youth. Unless you saw her charts there's no way of telling just exactly what she was measuring or using as a scoring method.

As far as pushups go, I had been fitness tested doing them wherever my arms felt comfortable. Since working with trainers, I have found that the pushup standard is a much closer hand position than I can easily pushup from and uses much more tricep. It sounds like your PU test was correct.
-------------------------

Think of it this way, it didn't cost you anything. If it bothers you then ask if you can have it done again with different person and raise these questions. If you are a member you should be able to go back and ask about your score.

I had 3 fitness tests done as I started working out regularly, but found that they no longer served my purpose because although I scored progress the norms used were general population averages. I was already becoming conditioned into the top percentile so the results were not telling me useful information. At that point I started looking at other ways to measure progress. You might want to consider at what point you can get a more useful series of tests.

Sophie · 31-May-07, 11:07 PM

Every time me or Scott asked her something, she brushed it off as "being the way we do it" and not really answering.

My BF& has NEVER changed with my Tanita. I can take it at all differnt times of day with no change.

BMI is a bunch of bull in IMO.

She was measuring at the same spot I was, she was just reading numbers that were NOT where the tape measured ended. I watched her do it on many sites, forearm, bicep, waist, etc. She would put her finger(s) where the tape measure ended and read where her fingers ended. It was WEIRD!!

I did see her chart. It was the Harvard Step test. It said to wait 1 minute after the 3 minutes of stepping before taking the heart rate, which she didn't do.

It didn't bother me, just a waiste of time. She's the only person who does it and I don't intend on going back. I can do almost all the tests she did at home.

trainerty · 01-Jun-07, 02:01 PM

Assessment trouble eh...it sounds like your real interest was simply for bf%.

I'm curious, what are you looking for in an assessment?

Sophie · 01-Jun-07, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainerty

Assessment trouble eh...it sounds like your real interest was simply for bf%.

I'm curious, what are you looking for in an assessment?

I just wanted something to compare my progress, mainly in cardiovascular fitness. I had forgotten all about the step test or I probably wouldn't have had one done to begin with. Everything she did I could track on my own, I just didn't realize it.

01-Jun-07, 04:35 PM

If you want a good test of cardiovascular fitness, FREE, I suggest you run a mile as fast as you can for time, record your time and check your HR when finished, then check it 1,2,3,4 and 5 minutes later. Use this as an initial benchmark for future tests.

Sophie · 01-Jun-07, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierini

If you want a good test of cardiovascular fitness, FREE, I suggest you run a mile as fast as you can for time, record your time and check your HR when finished, then check it 1,2,3,4 and 5 minutes later. Use this as an initial benchmark for future tests.

Can't run due to my broken back. I wish I could run though.

CF-OC_gal · 01-Jun-07, 05:26 PM

We can all track stuff on our own, but as Mr. P says, "it keeps us honest" when we work outside of our comfort zone. I would say that includes letting others assess our progress.

The Y is a great place to go for community but they are not known for their research and data collection in fitness testing.