Sometimes, in English, certain words are used so frequently that we forget their true meanings. We develop a sense of their relevance to our lives and overlook their other definitions. In this piece, we’ll explore the meaning of “fitness” and how it connects to our lives.
“Fitness” refers to the state of being fit. When we examine what “fit” means, it implies being healthy through regular physical activity. However, this still doesn’t completely illustrate what a fit person looks or feels like. Questions that arise might include:
1. Do they have to run marathons?
2. Should they be lifting heavy weights?
3. Is being flexible part of being fit?
The short answer to these questions is both yes and no. There are different types of fitness, including cardiovascular fitness, muscle endurance and strength, and flexibility.
Someone might be highly fit in cardiovascular terms but lack flexibility. This means they might run a marathon effortlessly but struggle in a yoga class, only managing to hold Child’s Pose.
When people think about fitness, cardiovascular fitness is often what comes to mind. If you’re cardiovascularly fit, you can, for example, run long distances or participate in high-intensity sports.
Muscle strength and endurance fitness is typically associated with weightlifting. Individuals who lift weights can handle various types and intensities of weights, such as dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells. The stronger a weightlifter is, the heavier the weights they can lift and the more repetitions they can perform.
A person with good muscle strength and endurance will have a toned body. The areas they focus on most will be more defined than those they train less often. For instance, a male bodybuilder who frequently works on his arms will develop well-defined biceps.
Flexibility fitness means having an increased range of motion in the joints. Flexible individuals can move their bodies into positions that less flexible people would find challenging. Yoga is an excellent way to improve flexibility as it gradually stretches muscles, making it easier to reach farther.
Fitness enthusiasts who focus heavily on weightlifting and cardiovascular activities often avoid yoga. They might think that because they’re unable to perform a headstand, they can’t do yoga at all. However, yoga includes many aspects beyond the complex poses. Yoga instructors are trained to guide beginners into poses gently, ensuring that novices are not pushed beyond their limits.
Fitness is a multifaceted concept and is more than just being able to climb stairs without getting winded. The goal should be to achieve a balanced level of fitness across all forms, but it’s perfectly fine if this takes time.