Workout of the Day

Do You Pass the Test?

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Let’s talk for a moment about standards.

I am of the belief that there are some basic “performance standards” that all human beings (barring special populations) should be capable of executing. Of course these standards are, by nature, somewhat arbitrary; but if we look at the basics of human physiology and its upper and lower limits, we can draw a handful of reasonable expectations for what it is to be a “functional human” at the most basic level. To put it simply, these are the physical shoulds of being a human.

I believe all human beings should be able to…

1 - Lift an object equal to their bodyweight from the ground and carry it 100’.

2- Sit comfortably in a resting squat for 5 minutes.

3 - Run 3+ miles continuously with relative ease.

(Special populations such as the elderly, children, and those with major physical limitations will of course require modified standards.)

Keep in mind that these are the most basic standards -- the equivalent of elementary school standards for basic literacy. If we look at human performance potential, all of these standards are a mere fraction ( .25 and less) of the capacities of high-level performers. And yet, I’m guessing many people would look at these standards with some exasperation and surprise, and the number of folks who can actually check all three boxes is probably staggeringly low.

Lift my bodyweight? Sit in a full squat? Run 3 miles without stopping? That’s easy for you to say -- you do fitness. You’ve got to be crazy -- those expectations are far too high.

And that response, I believe, is a problem. What is common is many tiers below what is normal, and slowly but surely, we are becoming more okay with it.

It’s time to wake up, folks. We, as a population, are poor examples of what it is to be human. We’re not asking for much here; let’s see if we can all start by covering the basics.

Do you pass the test?

P.S. Have your own ideas for basic physical standards? Start the conversation -- post them in the comments!

- PS


4/12/18

  • Yoke carry - 3x50’ (AHAP)

Then...

  • 12 min AMRAP

    • 250m row

    • 30 KBS (53/35)