We hear in the news about the importance of being fit for optimal health. That very term, "fit", means different things to different people. I see people doing nothing but yoga and claim to be fit. Similarly, I see runners who run every day and also claim to be fit. But, are they?
The point is that fitness is really a smorgasbord of several components, which in their entirety makes a person fit. I happen to like the definition given by the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
The define fitness as having optimized the following:
- muscular strength
- muscular endurance
- cardiovascular
- flexibility
- body composition
Thus be addressing all of these, it becomes the gestalt of fitness and optimal health.
If you're missing any one of the pieces, then, as hard as it may be to accept, you're not totally fit.
People addicted to running have incredible cardiovascular systems, tend not to be flexible and also tend to ignore their strength training.
People who are addicted to yoga have incredible flexibility, but tend not to like to go to the weight room, or run on the treadmill.
How about Arnold Schwarzenegger, was he fit at his prime? Perhaps not. He had a great body composition, was very muscular, but he may have been lacking in cardiovascular and flexibility at that time.
I think you catch my drift, one needs to blend in various activities to address all five components.
Why Bother?
Like doing all of these, you could expect the following:
- More juice in life, not afraid to take up any activity, no not golf, how about bungee jumping, Hip Hop dancing.
- Less disease and illness in your life
- Better balance, less falls, therefore less injuries
- Better mental health, less depression
- Get off the couch without grunting
- Healthy heart, less chance of heart disease.
- Don't get winded when you walk up the stairs
So the lesson for this post is to mix it up and form great habits for life.
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