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Cartwright Professional Assessment Tool

Forestry Step Test Calculator

Estimate aerobic capacity from the classic Forestry Step Test using body mass and the 15-second recovery pulse, then compare the age-adjusted result with published Forestry reference categories.

Published age-correction data used by this calculator cover ages 20–49.
The published Forestry reference values are sex-specific.
The calculator uses the nearest published Forestry body-weight column.
Enter the actual number of beats counted from 5:15 to 5:30. Do not multiply by four.
Reference protocol: complete five minutes of stepping at 22.5 complete steps per minute with a 90 bpm metronome before recording the recovery pulse.
Evidence-based Published Forestry methodology Age-adjusted scoring Methodology referenced
Estimated age-adjusted VO₂max
—
ml/kg/min
Reference classification — Enter the assessment data to calculate.
Non-adjusted VO₂max —
Recovery pulse —
Body mass / table column —
Age correction —
Result interpretation
Very
Poor
Poor
Fair
Good
Very
Good
Excellent
Superior

Classification uses age- and sex-specific Forestry Step Test reference categories.

Forestry Step Test protocol

Reference procedure

  • Step continuously for 5 minutes.
  • Complete 22.5 full steps per minute.
  • Use a metronome set to 90 beats per minute.
  • Traditional step height: 40 cm for men and 33 cm for women.
  • Stop after exactly five minutes and sit down.
  • Count the pulse from 5:15 to 5:30.

Need professional step-test equipment?

For a progressive and standardised aerobic fitness assessment, explore the Chester Step Test equipment and software supplied by Cartwright Fitness.

View Chester Step Test Kit Chester Software

Understanding your result

The Forestry Step Test is a submaximal aerobic fitness assessment. It estimates aerobic capacity from the cardiovascular response to a standardised stepping workload rather than directly measuring respiratory gases.

The value produced by this calculator is therefore an estimated VO₂max. It should be interpreted as a benchmarking measure rather than as equivalent to a laboratory-measured VO₂max.

Forestry Step Test vs Chester Step Test

Forestry Step Test

  • Fixed workload
  • Five-minute duration
  • Fixed stepping cadence
  • Recovery pulse used for scoring
  • Estimated aerobic capacity

Chester Step Test

  • Progressive workload
  • Two-minute stages
  • Cadence increases by stage
  • Heart rate monitored during stages
  • Estimated aerobic capacity

Read the full Chester Step Test protocol or explore the Chester Step Test range .

Frequently asked questions

What does the Forestry Step Test measure?
It provides a submaximal estimate of aerobic capacity based on the cardiovascular response to a standardised stepping workload.
What step height should I use?
The traditional protocol uses a 40 cm step for men and a 33 cm step for women.
What cadence is used?
The standard cadence is 22.5 complete steps per minute, usually controlled with a metronome set to 90 beats per minute.
When should I measure the recovery pulse?
After the five-minute exercise period, use the first 15 seconds to sit and locate the pulse. Count beats during the following 15 seconds, from 5:15 to 5:30.
Should I multiply the 15-second pulse by four?
No. Enter the actual number of beats counted during the 15-second recovery period.
How accurate is the Forestry Step Test?
It is a practical field estimate rather than a direct VO₂max measurement. Results can be affected by test administration, recovery heart rate, step height and individual physiological differences.
Is the Forestry Step Test the same as the Chester Step Test?
No. The Forestry test uses a fixed workload, while the Chester Step Test uses progressive two-minute stages with increasing cadence.

Run repeated assessments with Cartwright Assess

Use the free calculator for individual tests. Cartwright Assess adds the workflow around repeat fitness measurement, optional participant records, anonymous assessments, PDF reporting and team access.

Explore Cartwright Assess

Scientific methodology & references

Primary methodology: Forestry Step Test procedure and scoring reproduced in Exercise Physiology Laboratory Manual by Beam & Adams, with the Forestry tables adapted from Sharkey.

The classic scoring procedure combines the 15-second recovery pulse with body mass using published lookup tables, then applies an age-correction factor before comparing the result with age- and sex-specific fitness categories.

The calculator does not use a regression equation and does not extrapolate values where the published lookup table does not provide a score.

  • Methodology reviewed: September 2026
  • Calculator version: 1.1
  • Purpose: Professional education and benchmarking
  • Age-correction range used: 20–49 years

This tool does not diagnose disease and should not replace appropriate screening, clinical assessment or direct cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

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