Fitness is something that everyone should strive for because it prevents ill health, improves productivity and builds self confidence. However, there is often a difference between what people think is fitness and what is considered exercise. The fact is, no two people are the same. Therefore, a fitness program needs to be designed and tailored to an individual’s needs.

Fitness involves not just a change in diet or in daily tasks but an actual transformation. Physical fitness pertains to an individual’s ability to do various tasks successfully without undue fatigue and to achieve sufficient energy throughout the day. This means that one’s mental and physical endurance is developed through sufficient sleep, adequate nutrition and adequate physical activity. Physical fitness is usually achieved through adequate exercise, proper nutrition and adequate rest. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a workout program that works all the muscles of the body and helps the person to avoid fatigue.

In most cases, fitness includes skill-related elements such as strength training, flexibility training, balance training and movement training. These skill-related training programs can help to reduce chances of injuries and increase performance but they do not provide an outlet for increased energy and growth. Health-related fitness includes things like diet, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption and physical activity. This can promote a balanced diet, low in fat and high in protein that allows for the development of lean muscle mass.

The ability to be fit also includes the ability to mentally be fit. Fitness does not mean working out all the time and doing a lot of sit-ups. Being mentally fit entails the capacity to deal with stress and to be resilient when setbacks occur. It also entails a sense of control over one’s body, especially the ability to control movement and muscular actions without experiencing any negative effects. In this sense, fitness means being able to stay healthy and physically powerful at the same time.

Fitness in this context means both increased muscle mass and increased muscular endurance. Increased muscle mass can translate into increased power and strength. Increases in muscular endurance, on the other hand, translate into reduced body fat. Muscle power and muscular endurance are particularly important in activities such as playing sports and lifting weights. Physical training and aerobics promote overall fitness but they can be easily improved by combining them with nutrition and good habits.

Physical fitness encompasses several important factors such as a strong heart, lungs, bones, muscles, immune system, flexibility, skin, and cognitive function. A balanced combination of diet, proper intake of minerals and vitamins, regular exercise and good lifestyle practices helps achieve and maintain a good level of physical fitness. However, people who have medical conditions such as cardiac problems, kidney disease, osteoporosis, cancer, hypertension, depression, diabetes, obesity and mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia or substance abuse may need to consider the services of a qualified health care team including a sports medicine specialist. They can recommend and treat a wide range of physical health concerns including fitness and conditioning. It is also important to consult a doctor or other healthcare professional before beginning any exercise program to avoid potential complications. Consultation and advice from healthcare professionals such as doctors, physical therapists and fitness trainers are highly recommended for anyone wishing to improve their health.