Physical fitness is a very broad term. It includes everything from how you use your body to what you put in it. Keeping your body fit involves a few approaches. While diet is sometimes included, we are going to stick to the exercise aspect. The main components of physical fitness include cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility. These three things combine to make a complete physical fitness maintenance program.
The main components of physical fitness, cardio, strength training, and flexibility, can be used separately. There are many people who work out by doing cardio only and likewise some that prefer to only lift weights and get stronger. The really fit folks, however, understand that a balance is required in the quest for total body fitness.
The cardio aspect is a crucial main component of physical fitness because it is responsible for keeping your heart and lungs healthy. Yes, every time you hop on that treadmill or pop in the P90X Kenpo or Plyo DVD you are working your cardiovascular system. The health of your heart and lungs plays a major role in your overall health. In addition to this, cardio fitness burns major calories, a plus in the battle of the bulge.
Strength training has been shown to have far reaching benefits, doing much more than just building muscles. This main component of physical fitness includes lifting weights, using resistance bands, and using your own body weight to tone and define your muscles. Strength training can increase metabolism (through muscle growth), decrease stress, improve posture, and help combat chronic pain like arthritis.
Flexibility is the final main component of physical fitness. With flexibility, daily tasks are much easier. Like strength training, flexibility does wonders for posture. it also improves balance and coordination, allowing you to move your body through full ranges of motion.
Mar 10, 2009 @ 17:26:56
Great post Elizabeth. Those are definitely main aspects of fitness but wouldnt you also think that eating right would be a big aspect of fitness as well? If you dont eat healthy then your body will not see a 100% of results. Here are some great tips eating right so you can become physically fit.
They are great ideas for a fitness diet:
ballyfitness.com/achieve-your-goals/fitness-diet.aspx
Thanks for sharing your information and great post again.