Who's Fit To Be CEO?
Putting Central Mass. execs to the test
In this issue of the Worcester Business Journal we decided to put our readers to the test and ask, "Are you fit to be CEO?"
And many readers answered our call. In fact, 41 leaders from businesses throughout Central Massachusetts did. As part of that call, they each agreed to a fitness test administered by Gene Kaczyk, personal trainer and coordinator of corporate fitness programs at the gym Worcester Fitness.
Kaczyk said all the participants, who work in a variety of fields from leading nonprofits to managing mortgage companies, had at least one thing in common.
"They were all very competitive," Kaczyk said.
And the results bear out that competitive spirit. On a scale of 100, the best performers scored in the 90s, which Kaczyk described as "exceptional." A majority of the participants scored in the 60 to 70 range, with the average score for all participants coming in at 70.9.
The nine female participants posted an impressive average score of 83.3, while the average male score was a respectable 67.3.
The youngest participants were 37 years old, while the oldest - David "Duddie" Massad, head of Commerce Bank in Worcester - is the elder statesman of the bunch at the age of 79.
While we're not printing the scores of the participants in this issue, those participants with the best results will be honored at a special WBJ Fittest CEO reception scheduled for Dec. 6 at Worcester Fitness.
Behind The Scores
The test began for each participant with a simple lifestyle form that went over the individual's health and exercise history. Every participant cleared the first hurdle.
Next up, each participant's blood pressure, resting heart rate, height and weight were recorded.
Then, the real test began.
Participants took a strength test, which required lifting a bar attached to a strap. An electronic device was able to measure the tension in strap, thereby indicating the person's bicep strength.
Next, was the body fat percentage measure. In order to determine an individual's body fat percentage Kaczyk used calipers that pinch the "subcutaneous fat" each person has. Kaczyk said women should aim for a body fat percentage in the 20s to the high-teens, while men should be in the mid-teens.
And for the most part, according to Kaczyk, the participants were right in the target areas.
Kaczyk said the final portion of the test seems the easiest, but was actually the most challenging for participants: the stretch test. They were asked to sit on the floor with both legs stretched out in front of them, and stretch forward toward their toes.
"Flexibility is the bane for a lot of people because they just don't do enough stretching," Kacyk said.
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