‘Fitness’ is a very generic term. In fact, it’s the single most generic term for general physical wellbeing. Most people say that they would like to be fit, but, don’t specify in what way. Therefore, with no clear idea of how they would like to be fit, for most people, such ideas of getting fit will never go beyond talk, which is a shame.
So, what types of fitness are there?
- Someone able to jog 10 miles non-stop…
- Someone able to run the 100 metre sprint in under 10…
- Someone able to swim 20 lengths non-stop…
- Someone able to last the duration of a football game…
- Someone able to jump 30+ inches vertically…
- Someone able to throw a javelin 70+ metres…
- Someone able to do 100+ push ups non-stop…
- Someone able to bench press 500lb…
You can see just how diverse and specialized this list is, and this is just a small example of the types of ways in which a person could be classed as fit. Suddenly saying ‘I want to be fit’ just doesn’t cut it, because, you need to know how, and, follow a specialized training program designed to help you get the best out of your potential in a specific area of fitness or event.
While some types of fitness may have some carryover to others (such as, swimming is aerobic, and works the entire body, so, it may have some beneficial carryover to jogging. And, explosive weight lifting undoubtedly carries over to explosive events which use the same muscles…)
If there are a few general tips I can give which will guide you into choosing the right program for you, here they are…
- Heavy weight training, with low reps, will help to develop explosive power, which will aid explosive sports. For instance, heavy squats for low reps will help to develop leg strength for sprinting or jumping. Higher repetition squats or lengthy cycling on an exercise bike will help you develop aerobic endurance.
- To gain muscle, you need to eat more calories than your body needs whilst training with a suitable muscle building program.
- To lose fat, you need to eat less calories than your body needs, and, by training with weights at the same time, you help to preserve lean muscle mass, which is very important for overall health and speeding up fat loss.
- Finally, to get better at something, you need to push yourself. This is true in every area. Things should never get easier – when they become easy to you, that means you are performing within your comfort zone. You must constantly go outside and beyond levels of comfort to advance and become better.
Whatever type of fitness you decide to pursue, I wish you the best of luck, and congratulate you on doing something – anything – to achieve better physical wellbeing.