The Five Components of Physical Fitness

There are many angles and goals of physical fitness. However, there are five components of fitness that create a well rounded and truly “fit” person. If you concentrate on these five aspects you will find that your overall health and wellness improves. While focusing on one and not the others can provide benefits, your fitness potential isn’t truly realized until you are addressing all five.

The first of the five components of fitness is one that has often received the most attention, cardiovascular endurance. Exercise, particularly for women, has centered around cardio health for a long time. This refers to how well your heart and lungs work together to provide oxygen to the body, particularly during workouts.

The second in the five components of fitness is muscular endurance. This refers to how long your muscles can do a repeated action before tiring. Things that require repetitive movement like cycling and running are both cardio and muscular endurance activities.

Muscular strength is next in the five components of fitness. It’s obvious that this refers to the ability of the muscles to lift, pull, or maintain control over weight. Things like strength training provide good gains in muscular strength.

Often overlooked is the fourth in the five components of fitness, stretching or flexibility. Flexibility keeps the muscles loose and can prevent injury. Things like regular stretching, yoga, an pilates are good tools to use when trying to improve flexibility.

Last in the five components of fitness is body composition or the ratio of fat within the body. This is a good indicator of overall physical health and can also determine the risk of other diseases. By keeping your body fat within an acceptable range, you can ensure optimum health.

The five components of fitness are each unique and each provide you with health benefits beyond measure. By addressing all five aspects of fitness you ensure you are taking care of your body in a well rounded manner.