Fitness is the state of being healthy and well-balanced and, more importantly, the capacity to do diverse parts of activities, jobs and sports. Fitness is usually achieved through proper diet, regular-light physical activity, adequate rest, and proper nutritional supplementation. Fitness involves our body’s ability to move comfortably and productively, whether in our comfort zone or in a stressful work environment or event. It also involves the mind/body connection which allows us to feel good about what we are doing.
Muscular fitness is the ability of the skeletal system to retain and produce force during movement and exertion. This involves muscular endurance, muscular power, muscular endurance, muscular efficiency, muscle co-ordination, and functional symmetry, all of which help to ensure that the body stays at peak performance. Consistent muscular fitness results in better posture, increased bone density and overall body composition, greater lung capacity, improved cardiovascular efficiency, reduced risk of disability and illness and enhancement in one’s appearance. Fitness is dependent upon three factors – genetics, training and discipline. These three traits must be balanced in order for fitness to be achieved.
One way to achieve fitness level is through strength training. Strength training improves the functions of the muscles and bone structures while promoting strength development. Strength training includes using resistance (weights or other forms of effort) to build and tone muscles. It is also used for rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. In addition, strength training is an important part of any comprehensive fitness program because it prevents future injuries. Through regular strength training, muscles become stronger, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Achieving physical fitness involves a combination of diet and daily tasks that increase metabolic rates and allow people to expend enough energy to perform their daily tasks. Aerobic exercise, which improves the efficiency of breathing, increases blood flow to the muscles and enhances oxygen consumption and metabolic rate, is included in many forms of physical fitness. These daily tasks include walking, jogging, bicycling and swimming. Aerobic exercises can be done by using stair steppers, exercise bikes and treadmills. Swimming and other water-based activities, such as surfing, rowing and diving are included in fitness programs that improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
The third component of fitness is muscular endurance. Muscular endurance develops the ability of the body to tolerate and successfully complete endurance-based physical activities, such as swimming, cycling, hiking and climbing. Muscle endurance includes the ability of the skeletal system to sustain the demands of muscular contraction. The development of muscular endurance improves with regular strength training and regular participation in sports. Among other things, it improves reaction time and endurance.
Different kinds of exercise are practiced for various purposes. Aerobic exercises, for example, help you burn calories and decrease fat because they help you increase your metabolism. Strength training helps you build muscle mass and improve your bone density. Sports that require sprinting or moving around on the playing field include tennis, soccer and track and field. And of course, exercise balls and Swiss ball can help you develop your motor fitness.