The purpose of the study was to select or create a test that will be a suitable alternative to the Cooper 12-minute test for a large number of adults who are not able to undergo the running test. A literature review of aerobic capacity indicators and endurance fitness tests on the C2 rowing machine was prepared. The result of extensive research is the design for a simple test with a set duration, when the tested person should try to cover the greatest possible distance (i.e. maximum effort). To verify this, a pilot study was conducted using the new test and collected initial reference values to assess the physical fitness of individuals. A total of 323 students of the University of Defence (270 males, 53 females), aged 20.9±1.82, took the test. The endurance fitness indicators are the distance covered (s, m) and the average power (P, W). Statistical tests (t-test, correlation analysis, non-linear regression analysis, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov difference test, the Spearman correlation) were used to analyse differences and relationships between variables. The results of the pilot study demonstrate the applicability of the created test under required conditions. Significant differences between males and females confirm the necessity of evaluating test results separately for each gender. Low correlations between fitness indicators to body weight and height do not support the need to use relative fitness indicators (per kg of body weight). The results of the study provided initial reference values for individual assessment of aerobic fitness.