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Why Fitness?

FITNESS IS MUCH MORE THAN reaching a certain level of physical ability, looking good, or achieving an "ideal" weight. A fit person:

has the physical and emotional strength to meet life's challenges-and actually enjoy them.
takes charge of his or her own physical and mental health through a balanced exercise program and healthy eating habits.
understands the importance of managing stress, and works some relaxation time into every day.
takes a positive attitude toward life and his or her own physical and mental abilities.
values positive stress (i.e., stress that encourages someone to achieve) as a way to remain mentally fit.

In other words, general fitness is really a measurement of someone's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Physical fitness is one important aspect of overall fitness, and incorporates strength, aerobic conditioning, flexibility, body composition, and balance.

Fitness Diagram

Fitness Characteristics

Strength
Achieving and maintaining optimal muscular strength are important for several reasons. Strength training develops strong bones, assists your posture, and increases muscle mass-which in turn raises your metabolism and makes your body burn more calories. And you don't have to become a body builder to benefit from strength training. Men and women of any age can see positive effects from strength training that's done appropriately and safely.

Aerobic Conditioning
Your aerobic capacity is your ability to sustain long sessions of muscular activity, such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, and aerobics classes. Over the long term, aerobic conditioning can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the risk of heart disease. In turn, these benefits lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Flexibility
Maintaining good flexibility, or range of motion of the joints, aids in posture, reduces the incidence of injuries, and improves body movement. Flexibility also reduces stress. Focusing on flexibility, which is often achieved through stretching exercises, is particularly important as we get older and our bodies tend to lose the flexibility of youth.

Body Composition
Body composition refers to the ratio of fat body mass to lean body mass. Excess body fat or too little body fat is not healthy, and can lead to increased health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer-not to mention lowered self-esteem. There are various body composition measurements to help determine a person's body fat ratio. The use of body-fat calipers is the most efficient measurement technique.

Balance
Balance is a body's ability to move in a functional, efficient fashion. Good balance makes other types of exercise safer and easier to perform. It's especially important to maintain good balance as we age; falls are a major cause of disability in older people.

Nutrition
Proper nutrition is the foundation to the body, and spirit. Without the nutrients to fuel the metabolism, the body shuts down and becomes stagnant. With proper nutrition, you progress, reaching ever increasing fitness goals while becoming healthier.

Assessing
Assessing your strength, aerobic conditioning, flexibility, body composition, and balance are the first step in an effective fitness program. A qualified personal trainer can help you with a comprehensive and safe assessment.