New online tool calculates your fitness age
We all have those moments when we forget how old we really are until we look in the mirror, only to find what looks back at us doesn’t reflect how we feel on the inside. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology understand this, and have developed an exciting new tool to help us figure out how old our bodies really are.
Simply by entering your gender, height, weight, waist circumference and answering a few lifestyle questions, this smart calculator can determine your VO2max – that is, how much oxygen the body can take in – and tell you how fit you actually are. The Body Mass Indicator (BMI) system has long been questioned for its accuracy, as it doesn’t take into account body fat, muscle mass and waist circumference. The tool’s developers say VO2max is “the most precise measure of overall cardiovascular fitness,” giving an indication of your body’s ability to take in and distribute oxygen.
The calculator then measures your VO2max score against others in your age group, revealing your true fitness age.
Researchers hope that those who receive a fitness age older than their biological age will be inspired to change their lifestyle habits and decrease their risk of death from lifestyle-related diseases. In fact, studies have shown that 20 minutes of intense exercise three to five times a week can help improve VO2max scores.
To find out your fitness age, click here, and share your results with us in the comments below.
Related links:
5 ways to stay motivated to exercise during winter
Do we really put on weight over the winter months?
Doctor’s tips on living a long and healthy life