What is Fitness?

Fitness can be a very relative term. When Lance Armstrong says he feels fit before the start of the Tour de France, it's very different from you or I feeling that our fitness is good before we attempt to jog farther than we ever did before. However, the basic idea is the same for all of us-getting our cardiovascular and muscular systems ready for the task we want to perform.

There are many different ways to improve our fitness. The cardiovascular system can be improved by walking, running, swimming, biking and playing tennis, just to name a few. There also are many machines available for those who prefer to work out indoors-treadmills, elliptical trainers and exercise bikes are some. Strength training also improves fitness, and can be accomplished with free weights, machines, stretch cords, and calisthenics. In order to stick with a fitness program, one has to choose a means of training that can actually effect the desired outcome (you wouldn't swim every day if you wanted to complete a marathon) and also choose a type of training that one feels comfortable doing on a regular basis-meaning that one shouldn't buy a treadmill to train for a marathon if one loves tennis but hates to run. Better to focus on winning a local tennis tournament.

You don't have to be a competitor to improve your fitness

It's not necessary to have athletic goals to be motivated to take one's fitness to a higher level. Asthetics aside, many people work out regularly because it makes them feel great, both physically and mentally. Aerobic and strength training can make a great difference in one's quality of life. Actually, once people get involved, many enjoy their workouts enough that they find the greatest challenge to be limiting their exercise sessions.