A Fitness Cardio Program To Improve Your Overall Fitness
The terms “physical fitness” and “fitness” refer to a range of processes that lead to improved health and well being. Physical fitness is typically achieved through regular exercise, proper nutrition and adequate rest. While a person’s degree of physical fitness may change from year to year, optimal fitness remains a main goal for most people. Proper fitness encourages individuals to lead productive lives, provides them with greater mobility and protection, improves their mental health, and prevents them from developing debilitating diseases such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Flexibility refers to a person’s ability to move easily and smoothly. The word comes from the Latin root – meaning “motion”. Flexibility refers to all the joints in the body that are able to bend, extend and rotate without losing muscular strength and flexibility. People that do not have a healthy and flexible spine, for example, are not likely to engage in an active lifestyle or exercise and may instead become inactive. Movement is therefore required for physical inactivity to be shortened and reduced, which then promotes weight gain and obesity.
Body Composition describes the ratio of body fat to total height. When a person has a high body composition, they are more likely to be overweight and have decreased energy levels, poor flexibility and strength. Therefore, many people with a high body composition are at risk for obesity and for chronic disease. A body composition assessment is one of the most commonly used tools to determine an individual’s fitness level. A detailed body composition report can help people to identify areas for improvement and can aid in prevention programs aimed at improving general health.
Exercise is the main tool for increasing fitness. In order to promote overall wellness, one needs to incorporate regular exercise into their lifestyles. However, different types of exercise produce differing effects on people’s health and fitness. It is important to balance cardiovascular exercise with strength training and stretching exercises to achieve the best fitness results. The five main forms of exercise are running, walking, climbing, swimming and dancing, all of which strengthen the major muscles of the body.
Regular physical activity helps to maintain good health and fitness and therefore is very important. Inactivity can lead to decreased vitality and increased risks for several diseases including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. There is also a reduced quality of life amongst inactive people. The amount of physical activity required to attain optimal fitness varies between individuals and can range from one hour of light aerobics, to three hours of high intensity workouts every week. Some research indicates that the effects of aerobic exercise can be enhanced by performing the activity at slower speeds and for longer periods than traditional workouts.
One of the most important components of any fitness program is self-discipline. A well-balanced fitness program requires consistent application and consistent monitoring of goals. Self-discipline includes the ability to make time for the exercise programs, as well as the ability to maintain a certain level of intensity during each session. For those who may be naturally self-disciplined, there is an added incentive in being able to increase their fitness level at any time without having to wait for exercise instructions. For others, self-discipline can be challenging because of the negative feedback that can come when a workout routine is not followed exactly or a person is not committed to the program.
Aerobic exercise is defined as any activity that increases the heart rate and improves the function of the heart and lungs. For this reason alone, a cardio fitness program would improve cardiorespiratory endurance. Cardio exercises can include running, biking, swimming, aerobics, rowing, and cross-country skiing. To build muscle and lose weight, anaerobic exercise would be highly recommended. This type of fitness program would include sprinting, sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups.
In addition to the physical aspects of fitness, it is equally important to work on mental aspects as well. Many people have reported that through the process of working out, they become happier and healthier individuals. The increased levels of fitness brought about by an improved diet and the implementation of an exercise routine are sure to have a positive impact on both your mental and physical health.
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