What is Fitness? The 5 Real Components to Consider

There’s a good chance you’ve heard some of the following fitness myths. First, we’re going to clear things up. Then, let’s look at five core fitness components to consider instead.

5 Fitness Myths

1. Running is bad for your knees. Running is an incredible form of cardiovascular endurance and your heart will love you for it. Like anything else, you can injure yourself if you overdo it. Running can be a challenge if you have weak muscles and/or connective tissue, or if you are overweight.
2. You’ll get bulky if you lift weights. When you lift weights you become stronger, not bulky. You also increase your bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis.
3. Yoga is all the cardio that I need. Yoga helps with flexibility and strength but not necessarily cardio endurance. The average yoga class burns roughly 250 calories, while a walk or run will burn 2-3 times as many.
4. Crunches give you a six-pack of abs. Crunches will help to develop the abdominals and make them stronger, but they will not guarantee abs. Well-defined abdominals muscles are the result of a proper diet and an overall decrease in the amount of body fat around the abdominal area.
5. Everyone needs to take supplements. Unless your doctor has prescribed them, you do not need supplements. Fad diets and supplements most often do not work and can be a waste of money. You’re better off with a healthy, balanced diet full of fresh vegetables and lean meats.

Let’s keep these five essential components of fitness in mind instead:

1. Cardiovascular endurance. Build up your cardiovascular endurance in order to work the most important muscle in the human body: the heart. This also helps keep body fat in check when accompanied by a balanceddiet.
2. Muscular endurance. Muscular endurance is when a group of muscles can perform an exercise over and over again. Some ways to build muscular endurance are through body weight calisthenics as well as running.
3. Muscular strength. Muscular strength is the amount of force that a muscle can produce for a single muscular effort. Strongman competitions and power-lifting meets are good examples of how to build muscular strength.
4. Flexibility. Flexibility is the ability to move joints and muscles through a complete range of motion. You can gain flexibility through yoga or simple stretches.
5. Body composition. Consider the amount of fat, bone, water and muscle in the human body. Reduce your overall body fat for optimal health.

Join us for a well-rounded Gut Check workout that includes these five components:

This tip is brought to you by Joe and Nicole Decker of Gut Check Fitness.