Cooper Test Run

In 1968 Kenneth H. Cooper developed The Cooper Test Run for the United States military, for use in physical fitness training and testing.

-The idea of the Cooper test run is to run as far as you can, at a pace as steady as possible, for 12 minutes.

-The distance you've covered, your age and sex are all correlated into a chart.

-This gives you an estimate of your aerobic fitness and cardiovascular endurance.

Many school systems use a test similar to the cooper test, only in reverse, running a specified distance and then calculating the time it takes to run that distance.

The Cooper Test Table

-All the results in this table are given in meters.

-The Cooper Test Run gives you a good assessment of your aerobic fitness that you can use to compare with results from past runs.

-If you find your fitness level lacking, or if you just want to start running to lose weight, it can be a good indicator of your progress.

-You might even want to start treadmill running programs to stay in shape, or to get in shape for your next test run.

-Keep a Fitness log! -a daily fitness journal gives you a goal to shoot for to increase your running endurance, and overall athletic performance.

-Knowing your Body mass index is a good idea as well. It estimates your body fat, based on your height and weight.

Cooper Test Table # 2

-The table that follows is not for the novice runner, but for very serious and experienced athletes only, with a history of long runs.

-There are many exercise benefits, and increasing your cardiovascular endurance as well as your overall fitness level, is certainly one of them.

-Once you get started it can get downright addictive, and your health is the best addiction you can get. If you're already a runner, you know of what I speak, if you're not ...what are you waiting for?

Have you completed the Cooper Test Run yet?

-How did you do? Let Everyone know your Distance!

(Also, if you've started running to lose weight, or tried Chi running - we'd all really love to hear the results of those!)

-Links to those pages are at the bottom of this page.

-Include your age,(you don't have to leave your real name) your sex, what you do for a living, and where you're from.

Compare your results with others who have run it! See others below.

*Of course, check with your doctor before running any distance, if you're not used to it! (bet you knew we'd say that)

-Click on the links below to see the distance other visitors to this page ran in their 12 minute run...

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