Fitness is a condition of health and well being and, more specifically, the capacity to do physical activities, tasks and various sports. Regular physical activity helps in maintaining a healthy body weight and minimizes the risks of having diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and osteoporosis. It also helps in enhancing mental fitness. Although it is easy to join gyms, swimming pools and athletic clubs but these activities are not enough for total fitness.
Fitness improves the quality of life, increases one’s self-esteem, reduces the risks of getting involved in accidents, improves work performance, decreases the risk of osteoporosis and cataract and improves overall health. In this modern world, fitness has become an important part of everyone’s life. People want to have a fit and lean body, free from illnesses, diseases, ailments and accidents. The most effective and efficient way of achieving fitness is through regular exercises that target a specific body composition. There are many types of exercises but the most popular ones are cardiovascular and resistance exercises.
Aerobic exercises include running, cycling, swimming and skipping. These activities are known to improve the heart’s pumping action. These activities are known to strengthen the muscle wall and to facilitate a stronger blood circulation. Aerobic exercises enhance the metabolism of the human body and help in fat loss and the breakdown of fatty tissues after the workout. Resistance exercise on the other hand, focuses more on the muscles and its various functions. This type of exercise makes use of weight to strengthen the muscle tissue.
Fitness includes a combination of both strength and endurance. The purpose of this type of fitness program is to increase the strength of muscles by using small weights. Endurance on the other hand, is achieved by making the muscle work longer and harder. This involves the whole body. Stretching is an important component of a fitness training program and should be included to promote flexibility.
Strength and fitness improves the overall physical condition of an individual by promoting increased muscular power, improves metabolic efficiency, minimizes joint stress and improves performance. Muscle power improves the overall performance and motor fitness improves cardiovascular function. Cardiovascular efficiency improves heart rate, increases the oxygen intake and improves blood vessel diameter. Stretching and strengthening improves bone density, improves joint mobility and improves flexibility and range of motion.
Fitness improves body fat and heart rate. An active lifestyle improves the metabolic process and accelerates fat loss. Fitness improves health and decreases illness. Fitness improves overall health. A healthy heart rate reduces the risk for hypertension and improves the functioning of the whole cardiovascular system.