Are You Physically Fit?
Everyone has a different idea of what fitness means. For some people, physical fitness is all about attaining a well-toned appearance, while for others, it is the arduous diet and exercise regime that makes them slim. But did you know that physical fitness goes beyond exercising and looking toned?
You heard it right! Being physically fit means your body can handle the demands of a day's work efficiently and easily. In other words, the body system of a physically fit person aids them in their daily activities. As a leading fitness training centre in Chennai, GETFit360 will help you understand physical fitness and why it is important to stay physically fit.
What Is Physical Fitness? What are the Benefits of Physical Fitness?
Fitness can be defined as the ability of the body to perform daily activities vigorously and fastidiously without experiencing undue fatigue. This also includes the person's pursuit of leisure time activities and responding to emergencies with equal zest. A physically fit body also reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Simply put, getting the body physically fit will improve one's mental health and bone health and the overall quality of life as we age.
So what makes one physically fit? As the CDC (Center for Diseases Control and prevention) points out, physical fitness is significantly enhanced by regular exercise and a controlled diet. Taking part in an activity keeps you physically fit while preventing hassles that can disrupt the overall quality of your life. Here are some insights that will inspire you to live a fit and healthy life.
A fit body prolongs your life expectancy
Life expectancy is neither guaranteed nor certain; however, regular physical activity can help you prevent many health complications and diseases. Being in good health is certainly a good way to live longer.
A fit body saves significant money
An active and fit person is less likely to contract diseases. Choosing a healthy lifestyle reduces medical expenses and saves you money.
A fit body improves mental health
Improving one's mental health is the first step to improving one's quality of life. Several studies have found that physical activity can boost your mood and improve your mental health and ward off several health complications.
A fit body keeps you active and less prone to injuries
You need flexibility and a certain level of physical finesse as you age. Fitness increases your resistance to involuntary injuries as you age. Regular physical activity will keep you healthy and active, making ageing graceful.
A fit body is a healthy body
Physical activity and exercise improve bone and muscle health. According to a top fitness training centre, a fit body reduces the risk of chronic diseases like respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.
However, the above benefits can only be achieved through deliberate effort and sheer determination. In order to attain the ideal fitness, individuals must know what makes up physical fitness. We have compiled a list of health-related components of physical fitness for your consideration.
What Constitutes Physical Fitness?
Physical fitness is broadly classified into health-based and skill-based fitness. Health-based fitness is defined as the ability of joints, muscles, lungs, and heart to function in a well-balanced manner. In contrast, skill-based fitness is the ability to perform well in sports and other skill-based activities. The following sections briefly discuss each category.
Components Of Health-Based Physical Fitness
A health-based physical fitness program mainly consists of physical activity that prevents diseases and improves overall health. The five elements of health-based physical fitness include:
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Muscular strength
- Muscular endurance
- Body composition
- Flexibility
According to fitness trainers, these attributes are necessary to plan and execute a perfect workout routine. Let's look at each component in more detail.
5 Health-Based Physical Fitness Components You Should Know
Cardiovascular Endurance
Cardiovascular endurance or cardiorespiratory endurance refers to the body's ability to transport oxygen to various body tissues. The whole process relies on the lungs, heart, veins, and blood vessels working together to provide oxygen to the body and remove waste. Aerobic exercises challenge this aspect of physical fitness. Exercises like cycling, walking, dancing, boxing, circuit training, and running boost cardiovascular endurance.
Muscular endurance
The ability of a group of muscles to endure a resistance continuously can be defined as muscular endurance. This means the muscles can endure themselves and remain active during a long period of physical exertion. This enables muscles to withstand, repair, or recover from any injuries or traumas. Muscle endurance also entails immunity from wounds, trauma and fatigue. Workouts like sit-ups and push-ups test and help build endurance. Long distance cycling is another useful exercise for improving muscle endurance.
Muscle strength
If your fitness trainer insists on improving your muscle strength, understand that it is for a reason. Muscle strength can be defined as using one's weight for force. Specific exercises for different muscle groups strengthen the muscles. Exercises like bench press or squats, lunges, and free weights help build muscular strength. Fitness trainers also emphasize muscle strength training programs that target specific muscle groups.
Body composition
A perfect body composition consists of an ideal amount of fat, muscle water, and bone. Too much fat is harmful to the body. Regular exercise helps maintain healthy body and prevents heart disease and diabetes. In fitness training centres, cardio, flexibility and strength exercises are emphasized to maintain a healthy muscle-to-fat ratio.
Flexibility
Flexibility is defined as moving joints and muscles freely without experiencing pain. Maintaining flexible muscles and joints becomes increasingly important as we age since we lose this ability. Yoga and stretching exercises can help to keep your muscles and joints flexible as you age.
Skill-based activities are an essential part of health-based fitness, particularly if you're involved in sports or have a specific fitness goal. Here are six essential skill-based components that makeup physical fitness.
Components of Skill-Based Physical Fitness
Skill-based physical fitness components can be categorized into six groups: power, speed, agility, balance, reaction time and coordination. Here is a brief overview of skill-based physical fitness components:
Power:
To enhance your power, fitness training centres recommend strength training like core workouts, jerks, and plyometric box jumps.
Speed:
This component determines your ability to cover distances in the shortest possible time. Training with high-intensity intervals (HIIT) is the best way to increase your speed.
Agility:
Your body's ability to move smoothly and quickly is agility. Direction change and the speed of the foot are crucial components of agility drills, which include high-intensity interval training, cones, and ladders.
Coordination:
Your body's coordination is determined by how well your hand, eye, and foot coordinate when challenged by an activity that elicits a reaction. Several fitness training centres in Chennai offer their members the opportunity to improve coordination by jumping rope and playing catch.
Balance:
Balance is your ability to keep your posture upright when standing or moving. Your body's ability to adjust its position when your centre of gravity shifts depends on this. Yoga poses like standing on a foot can improve your balance quite effectively.
Reaction time:
It is the time you take to respond and start moving. Your reaction time depends heavily on how well your mind and body work together. Fielding and saving goals are examples of sports that require this skill.
Key takeaway:
Physical inactivity is the harshest punishment your body can endure. An inactive lifestyle contributes to weight gain, non-communicable diseases, and fatigue. You must keep all the components of fitness in mind and commit to exercising regularly to stay fit. Find out which workout routine will work for your lifestyle and goals by working with a fitness training expert!
Our fitness training program utilizes psychosocial and motivational techniques to help our patients achieve their fitness goals. GETFit360's 360-degree approach focuses on group empowerment therapy to overcome various fitness challenges. Count on us to help you achieve and sustain your fitness goals.
